My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 19, 2019

All who have been through computer and cellphone issues know what a headache little glitches can become. For me, ever since having my battery replaced on my iPhone 7-plus back in January, the front facing microphone has not worked. After a couple back and forth evening phone calls with Apple Support, we set up an appointment to have the phone looked at in the local Apple Store. I was not overly concerned since I have AppleCare and my phone still functional when using a bluetooth headset … but I definitely wanted to get it fixed (I still love the phone).

So, over lunch this past week one of Apple’s nonconformist gurus from the “genius bar” (they all look eccentric to me, IMHO) took a look at it. He powwowed with his fellow geniuses and concluded Apple would just replace my phone with a new iPhone 7-plus. Unfortunately, 2 hours later and after signing the agreement for the new phone (and watching it update from the cloud over WiFi), I was still sitting there with him struggling to get the VirginMobile SIM to activate on the new phone. Three phone calls to different VirginMobile reps later, he was totally exasperated, as was I (FYI, a good deal was why I switched to VirginMobile). No matter how hard he tried, he could not get my old SIM to work in the new phone OR a new SIM from Apple to activate on the phone either. The customer service mistake was that the AppleStore sent me home without resolving the issue and with my old phone wiped clean; thankfully my phone number was still active on my old phone. Of course I still have the same defective microphone that I came in to resolve 2-1/2 hours previous … and a promise someone from Apple would call me.

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Category: Apple, Business, Cellphone, Personal, Productivity, Technology, Video | No Comments »
Tags: 7plus, apple, complaint, customer service, iphone, microphone, problem, rant, virgin mobile

Posted By RichC on April 18, 2019

It is Thursday before Easter  and besides thinking about a Throwback Thursday post, it is also Maundy Thursday – the day in which Christian’s commemorate the Last Supper. It also reminds me of the times we would get together with our families on or around Easter. Sometimes it was with my parents and other times with Brenda’s parents – a few times at their condo in Florida (1997 #TBT photos).

It is also a reminder that I need to get my project in order since our Canadian renters will be heading home and it will be time for me to head down and clean up. I have been thinking about it and getting my “work-wagon” Honda Odyssey van ready for the trip; I’ve also noticed the pile of stuff Brenda keeps adding to for me to take south. I do have the base of the vanities, sinks and faucets ready to go, but still need to coordinate the other items I’m going to need for the master bathroom remodel. I’m half looking forward to it and half feeling overwhelm with things to do at home too – it is spring.

As for the #TBT tie into this post, I thought of my nephew Justin, wife Keity and growing kids the other night after seeing a photo on Facebook mentioning they were at the Minnesota Twins game and that Madelyn and Evan were on the jumbotron at Target Field. Now that we don’t drive to Wayzata to visit Katelyn, Drew and Annalyn anymore, we don’t see the Howards as often … but still get the occasional text message and phone call from Justin. What a great family.

The Howards – Justin, MomH, Aaron, Jackie and DadH in 1997

Category: Holiday, Personal, Photos, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: aaron, bathroom, condo1718, dadh, delray beach, easter, family, florida, howard, jackie, jumbotron, justin, master, maundy, minneapolis, minnesota, momh, projects, spring break, TBT, throwback, thursday, twins, vacation

Posted By RichC on April 17, 2019

It was a struggle to contain my frustration as I watched Senator Bernie Sanders pitch his version of Democratic Socialism to a “townhall” Q & A hosted by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum of Fox News on Monday night. I “SO” hope that the American people have far more commonsense than to head further down a path that has failed in every country it has ever been tried. On the contrary, for all the challenges we have with our  system that embraces free markets and capitalism, it has demonstrated success in lifting the quality of life for all – it is what attracts millions from everywhere else to come to America. Let’s not lose that risk-reward motivation and competitive edge.

I keep looking and listening for a simple sound bite that will make sense people from all backgrounds. Below is a paraphrased comment from Art Laffer (of Laffer curve theory) when discussing overly punitive progressive taxes and taxes on wealth. He commented that “the more earnings and wealth government takes from achievers, the more it deters them from working harder and taking risks. The more government provides and gives to workers, the less motivated they are to take risk, achieve and work harder.”

Competitive markets work and capitalism naturally advances a society, where socialism and a heavy reliance on government provided services reduces competition, improvement and innovation … and almost always proves to be the least efficient provider of goods and services. If America’s current system is leaving too many people behind, let’s improve our free-market , incentive based system and not go to a punitive based government controlled system. Competitive markets,  risk – reward and capitalism work … and is the only economic system proven to improve the quality of life for all willing to participate.

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Category: Financial, Humor, Politics, Video | No Comments »
Tags: art laffer, bernie sanders, capitalism, democrat, foxnews, Humor, incentives, progressive, republican, socialism, townhall, video

Posted By RichC on April 16, 2019

Besides finishing the painful tax filing this weekend, I replaced the rear shocks in my 2002 Honda Odyssey  “work-wagon” and Florida vehicle. It is still the lowest mile vehicle we have, but unfortunately, it is showing its age … especially the rusting undercarriage. Still, it runs well and is reliable … knock on wood.

I’ve been noticing the chatter when going over bumps lately and a glance at the passenger side rear shock indicated the oil damper had leaked out – the shock no longer returns to position. Below is a quick glance at the bad shock on top and the “still acceptable” but replaced shock on the bottom. The good shock will return after being compressed … the bad one is dead.

Category: Automotive, Misc, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: honda, mp4, odyssey, phrase, repair, replace, shocks, superstition, van, video, words

Posted By RichC on April 15, 2019

One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in Paris, France was gutted as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris France burned. The entire roof and main spire collapsed (below) along with what looks like significant damage to the rose windows.

The heart wrenching images and video flooded social media streams and newsfeeds at people watched the huge structure engulfed in flames. It is so sad to see an historic landmark, an architectural piece of art, that stood for centuries destroyed. Very few Americans can relate to structures over 850 years old and built in medieval times – from 1163 to 1260.  The Catholic cathedral was modified throughout history and was damaged during the French Revolution, but underwent a 25 year restoration in 1845. Again in 1963 it required a renovation again, but this time partially to clean the centuries of soot and grime … and then again in for 9 more years of cleaning from 1991-2000. What a loss to see such a famous cathedral go up in flames – we can only hope it was accidental?

Category: Faith, History, News, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: architecture, cathedral, church, fire, france, History, notre dame, paris

Posted By RichC on April 15, 2019

This content is restricted.

Category: History, Music | No Comments »
Tags: 1968, beautiful morning, mp3, Music, music monday, musicmonday, rascals

Posted By RichC on April 14, 2019

It is hard to believe our local El Rancho Nuevo Mexican Restaurant has been around for 9 years now (photo from opening in 2010) … but as the competition has increase, entrepreneurs have had to step up their game. This restaurant is one of the greatest small business example of why capitalism works: with increased local competition, their product had to improve. In the 9 years we have eaten there, I’ve watched the quality of service improve (it was always good), food quality to be appropriate and the innovation, improvements and cleanliness stay ahead of the competition … of which there is plenty. All the local Mexican restaurants have had to compete for customers, making those that survive FAR better for customers (private ownership and competition works; capitalism vs socialism). 

El Rancho Nuevo, at least at this particular Cincinnati-Dayton Road location in Liberty Township, Ohio continues to innovate with small thing like bathroom improvements. It is so nice that I expected someone to hand me a towel. The cleanliness and pleasant smell was wonderful; the sinks have new waterfall faucets and there is even a mouthwash dispenser for those of us who enjoy salsa, but don’t want co-workers and customers to suffer when we return to the office.

It is this kind of next generation “legal immigrant owned” business in America that will succeed; it is a shining example of private ownership, free markets and small business competition that prove capitalism will work for next generation just as it has the previous – it is an example of rewarding smart-hard work and what sets the US apart … and one of the reasons America is exceptional. I’m so impressed to have such a noticeable example in our own backyard. 

Category: Business, Local, Marketing, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: america, capitalism, competition, dining, example, exceptionalism, improvement, liberty township, mexican, ohio, Restaurant

Posted By RichC on April 13, 2019

Even in today’s gender-neutral world, there are duties, either said or unsaid, that married couples still assign to each other. One of them in our house assigned to me is taking care of our automotive issues … especially the ones nobody really wants to do.

One of this past weeks’ tasks was to take our 2006 Honda Pilot to the claims adjuster at a body shop (it was backed into while parked). Although “waiting” is something few people enjoy, there was a comfortable waiting room to read the morning newspaper … and of course tweet about it (now that’s disturbing; what have I become?)

Original Tweet (more…)

Category: Automotive, BMW, Financial, Misc, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: BMW, bodyshop, bumper, claims, estimate, Geico, honda, insurance, pilot, reflector, repair, tweet, twitter, x5 35d

Posted By RichC on April 12, 2019

The “customer experience” (a marketing buzz-term nowadays) can make or break companies. Some do it right, others fall on their face early in their start-up cycle … and others like Ebay ($EBAY) and Paypal ($PYPL) have employees, customer service departments and management issues dragging their company down … yes, this is going to be a “gripe” kind of post (a how-to business point too).

I’ve called a lot of customer service representatives in my lifetime. I’ve owned a small business since 1986 and have a wife who deals with people every day as a retail pharmacist … and I can easily tell well-managed customer service departments from those that are managed poorly and have employees who should not be dealing with customers. This week I stumbled on one who not only tarnished the company’s brand – Ebay, but also the payment platform their promotion was partnering with – Paypal. The managers should never have let this happen (she expected me to accept that there was nothing she could do and hung up when I asked to speak to a supervisor). When a retail-oriented company doesn’t manage the basics and loses touch with users because they have grown too large, it is easy to become complacent and forget customers are why they exist.

Here was my issue:

Ebay marketing “emailed me a coupon” to entice a purchase their platform along with using payment using Paypal by a certain date. I made a purchase, plugged in the coupon, but it failed to work … triggering a call to customer service for assistance. Simple and common enough, right?

Yes and no … since phishing scams likely regularly use email to generate clicks, the customer service rep indicated that was probably what happened. I told her “no, this is your email” (I checked the sender metadata) and indicated it is also linked to Ebay’s servers and wanted to give her the URL. She did not want the link and suggested I not click it further. Of course, this is something savvy Internet users deal with every day.

I expected she would give me a replacement number or force it through with the minimal $5 couple credit … but nope. Just “don’t use the coupon” was her answer. So I did what experienced customers do, “may I speak with your supervisor or manager?” No answer … just a “click” dead air or dead hold … so I held on just in case the dead sound was from being on hold (it wasn’t).

My point to those in the customer service business – especially Ebay:

A lot of marketing and money is spent to attract customers and retain users like me who have 100% positive feedback – I have been one since 2001! To let your guard down and allow a $5 coupon annoy a long time user (both seller and buyer) does not speak well for a company wanting to attract more business AND investors (or the partner that this promotion). Perhaps I’m an isolated incident … but suspect it has more to do with the management and the culture that does not treat a customer as if they want to keep them.

Category: Business, Financial, Marketing, Personal, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: coupon, customer service, ebay, gripe, issue, paypal, problem, tech friday, techfriday

Posted By RichC on April 11, 2019

If you are looking for a grand home with too many features to mention and a lot of room both inside and out, look no further; 8000 Green Lake Drive in Liberty Township, Ohio is featured in the Pulse Journal this week and listed by Keller Williams Advisor’s Realty. (archiving photos in OneDrive – see below)
 

Category: Archive, Local, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: butler, county, efe, for sale, home, house, liberty township, neighborhood, ohio