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4 row(s) meet your search criteria for November , 2004.

IFOC Dead Pool Time - November 30, 2004

It's that time of year again. The Is Full of Crap Dead Pool rosters for the 2005 game are being accepted starting tomorrow. My picks for 2004 got me a grand total of Zero points leaving me one of 12 other dead pool virgins.

My picks for this year will be based on some more knowledge, as I have been trying to remember when somebody gets in the news with some sort of ailment. If you aren't going to play, and have some suggestions, I'd love to hear about them.

#  | 12:04 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: Webdesign)

A Bad CRM Experience - November 11, 2004

Being in the computer industry, dealing with users and customers all the time, I know the value of good customer service. Customer Relationship Management software, or CRM, is what companies use to keep track of how they have done business with you, the customer. Sometimes, they just don't get it right.

Here's an example.

I'm blessed with a post-40 year male pattern baldness. My hair is thick, lush and ever growing around the sides and back, while thin and wispy on top. Eventually the top will all be gone, and I'll look like my beloved Grandpa Sickler: I'm ok with that. I simply hope that I don't have a horribly disfigured dome hiding under what remains of my thin wispy hair.

These days when the sides and back get bushy, I head off to the Great Clips down the street and pay my $12 bucks. This gets me some beauty school dropout to work the #2 buzzer around the sides and back, then a little trimmage on the top. Buzz, Buzz, Snip Snip, done - I usually spend more time waiting than in the chair itself.

Now at Great Clips, my hair cutting history is in the computer; this is a CRM system, albeit kinda low-tech. They ask for my phone number and the computer then tells them my name as well as pertinent details of prior visits - how long, what kind of cut, etc. This way, the newest beauty school dropout who is lucky enough to draw my name from the waiting room hat, doesn't have to have a long discussion with me about my "style." I simply say "#2 Blend, it's been a long time since my last cut, so don't be shy". This says that I acknowledge that lots of hair will be cut.

(If you are not familar, a #2 is short enough that when my hair stands on end, you can't tell the difference - it's military in its shortness, and after a shower, it's dry before I get out.)

So last night I get get "styled" and go to pay. Usually on the receipt, it says something like, "This receipt is good for $3 off your next visit" - and being the responsible person I am, I promptly lose it and never bring it back.

Last night, after my #2 Buzzcut, the receipt said:

"This receipt is good for $10 off your next perm."

I don't think that coupon has much value for me. Maybe their CRM system needs a little improvement.

#  | 10:11 AM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: Funnies)

The 'Angry Left' is trying to make an 'Angry Middle' - November 05, 2004

There are people in this country who didn't see the election in the same way as I did. Fine. That's what elections are all about. But to call me "ignorant" because of my choice is really starting to piss me off. Here's an example of the "Angry Left" who has her panties in a bunch, and unfortunately, writes for Slate:

The election results reflect the decision of the right wing to cultivate and exploit ignorance in the citizenry. I suppose the good news is that 55 million Americans have evaded the ignorance-inducing machine. But 58 million have not.

I first was pointed to this article over at About It All, an Oregon focused weblog that I visit periodically. Reading the article really pissed me off - and I'll reprint my comment here.

Lumping 58 million Americans into a pile and saying they are "ignorant" is not only ridiculous, but offensive. I didn't vote for W because God said I'll burn in hell if I didn't, I voted because I think this administration is the right choice for protecting America from terror. I'd rather see the war take place in their world with our best professional soldiers fully equipped to kick ass than brought to our cities killing 3000 innocent Americans who died because they simply went to work one day.

I don't like the "religious right". I think the republican party is moving too far in that direction. I support gay rights. I'm pro-choice (although it would never be MY choice), embryonic stem cell research (Oregon should take a lesson from California and bring 3billion dollars of research jobs here too) and lower taxes spent by a fiscally responsible and smaller more effective government. The choice I made (between two poor alternatives I would add), was informed, not ignorant.

I hope that as time goes by, angry rants like this article fade and the government comes together to do things that are right for the country. But in this era of liberal/conservative hatred and anger, I'm not going to hold my breath.

It is not the right, but the angry left writing articles like this that is "borne of hubris and hatred, and will destroy their purveyors in the end."

I'm going to jump on board and refer to Michelle's take on the post election day rhetoric and hatred being spewed forth the last couple of days. I believe she is also a conflicted republican, and her essay is very good.

The anger being spewed only pushes me farther away from the Democratic Party, even though I share many ideals with you. We Republicrats must unite, and form a "middle" third party.

#  | 12:27 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: Rant)

Post Election Hangover - November 03, 2004

4 More Years. heh. My cubicle neighbors are lamenting..."I don't know what I'm going to do." For me, the choice was between a turd sandwich, and a shit casserole with a little mystery meat mixed in - I've been eating the sandwich for a while now and know what to expect. I'm not a big fan of the taste, but it makes me feel safe, and it doesn't do me any harm either. I didn't think the casserole would be an improvement, I didn't want to pay more for it, and as you would expect, the mystery meat was a big unknown but with an odd smell.

Here's my advice to my co-workers: get over it - it will really have little impact on your day-to-day life. And next time, focus on getting a candidate that can really represents your values and vision for the country, not just "Anybody But Bush".

#  | 09:59 AM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: News)