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Something about a 60 degree day in February causes the need to get outside and do something. Two things guys love to do - dig or cut. So today was cut - get out the chainsaw and groom the forest - get rid of the honeysuckle bush.
Naturally there is the 30 -45 minute prep to get the chainsaw working again. But once the chain was tightened, with gas and oil things happened fast. Down came 50 or more bushes and that only made a slight dent in the forest behind the house.
Next I will need to get out there with a herbicide (Roundup) and attack the stumps or all that cutting will be for naught.
We have this great feeling when we try to "tame" nature. Make it follow our direction.
Unfortunately we are constantly reminded who is really in control. As the old commercial says "Don't mess with Mother Nature".
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
See the Light
Get ready to smile - Yes I really did it - I went around the house counting all the light bulbs in the house (and outdoor also). TWO HUNDRED FORTY SIX light bulbs!!! No wonder GE is the only company that still exists since the history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Also remember that they have been encouraging (with Governmental help) replacing all those bulbs with the new florescent type.
Susan knows my pet peeve about turning out the dang lights when you leave the house - and I'm trying to teach my girls that habit also. So I also went around and counted the bulbs that Susan insists be on continuously 24/7. Her guess was seven ---- the real answer 22 almost 10% of our bulbs!!!!
Add to that the appliances that silently chug away consuming KWH without your knowledge - Electric Water Heater, Fountain Pump, TV's, Computers, Hot Water Dispensers, Hot Water Circulators, Refrigerators, Wine Cabinet, Clocks, Phones, Battery Chargers, Modems, Night lights, ..... I'm sure I missed a few. Another reason to invest in Duke Energy.
Dad said the other day - "There was a time I worried about all this" when we talked about the thermostat settings and comfort in the house. " Now, I don't really pay that much attention to those things ".
Maybe that is a way of "Seeing the Light" :)
Susan knows my pet peeve about turning out the dang lights when you leave the house - and I'm trying to teach my girls that habit also. So I also went around and counted the bulbs that Susan insists be on continuously 24/7. Her guess was seven ---- the real answer 22 almost 10% of our bulbs!!!!
Add to that the appliances that silently chug away consuming KWH without your knowledge - Electric Water Heater, Fountain Pump, TV's, Computers, Hot Water Dispensers, Hot Water Circulators, Refrigerators, Wine Cabinet, Clocks, Phones, Battery Chargers, Modems, Night lights, ..... I'm sure I missed a few. Another reason to invest in Duke Energy.
Dad said the other day - "There was a time I worried about all this" when we talked about the thermostat settings and comfort in the house. " Now, I don't really pay that much attention to those things ".
Maybe that is a way of "Seeing the Light" :)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Pay by the Drink
"Pay by the Drink" was the business model vernacular used in discussing pricing strategies. Susan always hates when I throw out one of those common business terms in normal conversation expecting everyone to automatically understand the point I am making.
Should you price your product "by the drink" or "all you can eat". As a consumer how do you evaluate the two before buying? Do you sit down and forecast usage and compute the unit cost?
My internet access/data over wireless is grandfathered in an "all you can eat" model; Ellen's itouch apps are "by the drink". Netflix creates an entire menu of subscription choices but either way you "use it or lose it". Cell phone pricing models make it critical that you don't use more than you forecast - the "I'll surprise you sometime with an outrageous bill" scenario.
Those businesses that choose "pay by the drink" hope you will not pay attention to the low cost and consume large volumes - probably more than you need (sounds like KWH). Those businesses that choose "all you can eat" hope for long periods of non-use to subsidize those consumers that abuse the servings.
Other businesses worry less about the pricing model and attempt to make the billing as confusing as possible to prevent the consumer from determining what they have spent on the product or service in the first place (just look at any Utility bill).
In all models - disguising the cost helps minimize the consumer price/value analysis.
Should you price your product "by the drink" or "all you can eat". As a consumer how do you evaluate the two before buying? Do you sit down and forecast usage and compute the unit cost?
My internet access/data over wireless is grandfathered in an "all you can eat" model; Ellen's itouch apps are "by the drink". Netflix creates an entire menu of subscription choices but either way you "use it or lose it". Cell phone pricing models make it critical that you don't use more than you forecast - the "I'll surprise you sometime with an outrageous bill" scenario.
Those businesses that choose "pay by the drink" hope you will not pay attention to the low cost and consume large volumes - probably more than you need (sounds like KWH). Those businesses that choose "all you can eat" hope for long periods of non-use to subsidize those consumers that abuse the servings.
Other businesses worry less about the pricing model and attempt to make the billing as confusing as possible to prevent the consumer from determining what they have spent on the product or service in the first place (just look at any Utility bill).
In all models - disguising the cost helps minimize the consumer price/value analysis.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Alternate Paths
"Sliding Doors" is a movie about two different universes (or life paths) of a person who squeezes just in time through a subway door and the same person who misses the subway. How would your life be different if you changed one of your decisions completely today (something you control) or if a seemingly random circumstance (like a subway door) obstructed a path you intended to take?
We can all point to a "moment in time" that initiated a very long path in our lives. One of mine occurred when having lunch with Dave Luvison- Head Resident of Swing Hall working on his MBA at Miami - who had just finished an interview with the Managing Partner of the Administrative Services Division of Arthur Andersen - Cincinnati (Bob Wilson). Dave casually mentioned there were still open interview spots for the afternoon (a rarity given the competitive days of 1976 for employment).
I was "bending the system" by interviewing for full time jobs with the intention of asking for summer employment half way through the interview. When Bob Wilson discovered this (after a tiring day of interviewing) he rolled his eyes back and sighed. "We have no summer employment available - BUT he would be interested in talking to me again next year after I complete my Masters Degree".
That path started me into a summer job in 1976 at Arthur Andersen (yes, that meeting got Bob thinking about establishing summer internships in the Cincinnati office) and a great career path at Accenture.
If I had not had lunch with Dave Luvison that afternoon in 1976, and met Bob Wilson - what alternate path would I be on today?
We can all point to a "moment in time" that initiated a very long path in our lives. One of mine occurred when having lunch with Dave Luvison- Head Resident of Swing Hall working on his MBA at Miami - who had just finished an interview with the Managing Partner of the Administrative Services Division of Arthur Andersen - Cincinnati (Bob Wilson). Dave casually mentioned there were still open interview spots for the afternoon (a rarity given the competitive days of 1976 for employment).
I was "bending the system" by interviewing for full time jobs with the intention of asking for summer employment half way through the interview. When Bob Wilson discovered this (after a tiring day of interviewing) he rolled his eyes back and sighed. "We have no summer employment available - BUT he would be interested in talking to me again next year after I complete my Masters Degree".
That path started me into a summer job in 1976 at Arthur Andersen (yes, that meeting got Bob thinking about establishing summer internships in the Cincinnati office) and a great career path at Accenture.
If I had not had lunch with Dave Luvison that afternoon in 1976, and met Bob Wilson - what alternate path would I be on today?
Monday, February 21, 2011
How do I look?
It is a waste of time spending too much time in front of a mirror. First of all, without a mirror you would have no clue what you look like (aside from other reflection devices). Second, my appearance is what other people have to deal with (as I with theirs) so consequently spending too much time in angst about one's appearance is only a self inflicted wound. I look long enough just to be sure there is nothing that I can't control/adjust to avoid embarrassment (you get the picture - XYZ "is your zipper up?).
So when I went to Best Buy to acquire the Logitech HD Webcam C510 camera for $39.99 - what purpose would it really serve? Why do I care if other people see me in HD (well actually it is only 720p) while Skyping? It follows my argument about a mirror.
Now if the purpose is to be able to record in HD other scenes to publish in a blog or Utube - that would be a different story. But would I really be doing that? NOT.
Needless to say, I will be returning the Webcam.
So when I went to Best Buy to acquire the Logitech HD Webcam C510 camera for $39.99 - what purpose would it really serve? Why do I care if other people see me in HD (well actually it is only 720p) while Skyping? It follows my argument about a mirror.
Now if the purpose is to be able to record in HD other scenes to publish in a blog or Utube - that would be a different story. But would I really be doing that? NOT.
Needless to say, I will be returning the Webcam.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Three Blog Day
A three blog day!!! - or a three dog night :) - Mama told me not to ..... :)
I couldn't resist researching Randy Newman's 2002 Oscar/Academy Award Acceptance speech for the song "If I didn't Have You" from the movie Monsters Inc. after being previously nominated in 10 different years - 16 times (and yes he has since been nominated 3 more times and is awaiting a decision again in 2011):
"Thank you. I don't want your pity. I want to thank first -- all of the music branch for giving me so many chances to be humiliated over the years. I have nothing [no speech]. I'm absolutely astounded I have won FOR THIS (my emphasis) though the picture deserves recognition. Walking out here and having someone this beautiful [presenter Jennifer Lopez ] give me an award, I'll never get to heaven but that's as close as you get I think. Thanks very much, I'm thrilled."
I guess he wouldn't have nothing ........ if he didn't have you.
I couldn't resist researching Randy Newman's 2002 Oscar/Academy Award Acceptance speech for the song "If I didn't Have You" from the movie Monsters Inc. after being previously nominated in 10 different years - 16 times (and yes he has since been nominated 3 more times and is awaiting a decision again in 2011):
"Thank you. I don't want your pity. I want to thank first -- all of the music branch for giving me so many chances to be humiliated over the years. I have nothing [no speech]. I'm absolutely astounded I have won FOR THIS (my emphasis) though the picture deserves recognition. Walking out here and having someone this beautiful [presenter Jennifer Lopez ] give me an award, I'll never get to heaven but that's as close as you get I think. Thanks very much, I'm thrilled."
I guess he wouldn't have nothing ........ if he didn't have you.
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