My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on December 30, 2011

Lake Superior State University published their list of words to banish in 2012 and I will do my best to not to use these words next year … but will link to the amazing list compiled from 1975 (link). The new normal for President Obama should be to make the shared sacrifice in not using this phrase let me be clear (not on the list, but should be). I would have included the ginormous list from 1975-2012, but know I would get blowback due to the space it would occupy. I would like to thank you in advance for putting up with the occasional trickeration from my man cave – so  be a good pet parent and go out and win the future or maybe make a baby bump. That last one is just creepy to work in.

Category: Misc | No Comments »
Tags: list

Posted By RichC on December 29, 2011

I’ve lost my share of days by spinning my wheels or tucked under the covers while sick in bed, but I’ve never heard of literally losing an entire day; that’s what is going to happen this week in Samoa. Samoa is at the tail end of the International Date Line and they have found it challenging to deal with the shorten business weeks when working with their neighbors. People struggle with the day difference between their island and Tonga or New Zealand to their west, who are and entire day ahead. Politicians have decided that for 2012 they will jump ahead a full day. When Thursday morning arrives in Samoa this week and it is Friday morning in Tonga, it will be for the last time, because when the sun goes down in Samoa on Thursday night, the next morning will be Saturday … not Friday. They will have lost an entire day … no births, no deaths, no nothing … on what would have been Friday December 30, 2011. To Tongans the day will never have existed. They’ll go from being 5 hours behind the U.S. eastern time zone, to being 19 hours ahead of us … that’s just strange.

Category: Misc, News, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: new zealand, pacific, samoa, time, tonga, Travel

Posted By RichC on December 28, 2011

Just a cute YouTube video that should make this turtle appreciate that he has someone taking care of him and is not out foraging for himself … I don’t think he would make it.

Category: Video | No Comments »
Tags: cute, glasses, turtle

Posted By RichC on December 28, 2011

As 2011 winds down many of us reflectively look at the year and ponder where we may have fallen short … and hopefully use the self-analysis to improve in 2012. I saw a note posted on G+ (and may have somewhere previously) and thought a year may be too long. How much time did you lose today? (below)

Category: Misc | No Comments »
Tags: carpe diem

Posted By RichC on December 27, 2011

This past week has been a bit more relaxed since selling this time of year is challenging.  I focused on looking back at the past year, but I still tried to connect with a few of my well established customers. In keeping communication light, I asked what would make me more effective and welcomed when making sales calls on their company next year. One of the guys made the joke (at least I hope it was a joke?!?!) … “show more leg.” 

I enjoyed the laugh until I noticed a couple Sorel ads … hmm … maybe my customer has a point?

Even as a happily married man I know which ad I looked at first, how about you?

Category: Business, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: advertising, Business, Marketing

Posted By RichC on December 26, 2011

I’m really NOT depressed that Christmas is over … actually quite relieved … but the time with family did go fast, way too fast. We were fortunate that the Corbett side of the family was able to be together at our house on Christmas day. The weather held and gave all who drove excellent roads and we even had sunshine (shocking since it has been a rainy December). Brenda over-did the dinner, and décor, which pleased my mother most of all; she definitely appreciates the effort it takes to make things festive and I know is disappointed that her health prevents her from doing the same. We talked and ate, exchanged gifts and ate and played games and yes … ate. I’m sure that I’m not the only one who gained a few extra pounds this Christmas season.

I’m thankful to have a family who enjoys each other and makes the effort to be together over the holidays. Hopefully the tradition will continue for years to come … whether at our house or somewhere else (we did miss the annual Howard gathering and the “Howard Bowl” though).

 
Year of the tablets: Drew gave Katelyn a TouchPad and Taylor got an iPad for Christmas

As far as gifts and giving in our household, there were plenty of highlights from practical to the much desired electronic goodies. My thoughtful son gave me a lightweight waterproof jacket for the boat, my daughter a much needed new wallet and my wife the socks and underwear required to make it another year. Brenda’s 1998 Toyota Rav4 has moved into the 21st century with a GPS, so as long as the driver learns to use it.  We were fortunate to also have Katelyn’s boyfriend Drew with us this Christmas. He has moved up a notch and received his share of “joke” gifts (as well as real ones), which included his own old dirty sock to hang by the fireplace (all in good fun). We had a great time topped off playing a QR Code dice game by Codigo.

Category: Holiday, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: 2011, christmas, corbett, family

Posted By RichC on December 25, 2011

Since I didn’t post anything on Christmas day this year, I’ll add this short heartwarming story from CBS a few days late (video below). It is a wonderful Christmas story and might just bring a few tears to your eyes.

Category: Holiday, Video-TV | No Comments »
Tags: cbs, christmas

Posted By RichC on December 24, 2011

Almost all companies have customer service issues and what separates the successful from the not-so-successful is how they are able to recover with the least amount of pain. One example this year is Best Buy who in the past was one of my least favorite retailers.

During their pre-Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday store and online sales pushes this year had their first sales increase in six quarters. Unfortunately with such a strong showing they recently had to inform customers that they would be unable to fulfill promised deliveries by Christmas. What infuriated customers (rightly so) was that the notice came only this last week before Christmas.

As expected, infuriated customers called, emailed and complained on forums to and about Best Buy. The solution and positive press for Best Buy was to give out gift cards and in some cases attempt to accommodate orders … and instead of alienating customers and continuing the “bad press” … they may have been able to keep customers and gain some positive PR. One customer shared his frustration and satisfaction with how the issue was handled showed up today in the WSJ, it is probably the least expensive advertising Best Buy has had all year … all due to how they handle a bad situation.

Mr. Mitchell lashed out at Best Buy in emails to the company and posts on its website forums, noting that he would have been able to land the same bundle deal earlier at other stores, if Best Buy had only told him it wasn’t coming.

"It’s a Grinch story," he joked.

But it ended more like "A Christmas Carol," at least for Mr. Mitchell. Best Buy reversed its Scrooge-like declaration in his case and gave him the bundle for the original advertised price of $199. A company vice president also e-mailed him an additional $200 gift card.

"While I can’t say I am happy, I wound up satisfied," he said, adding, "I have spent a lot of money with these folks."

Best Buy didn’t respond to questions on how many upset customers it had calmed down with gift cards.

So a lesson for consumers is to keep up the heat on companies who don’t initially make an attempt to sooth a blunder … you might come out ahead.

Category: Business, Holiday | No Comments »
Tags: best buy, christmas, Holiday, pr, public relations, Shopping

Posted By RichC on December 23, 2011

Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

We didn’t put that much time or effort into including a thoughtful letter with our Christmas cards this year, instead we merely included a collage of photos (below). That said we still wanted to wish our family and friends … and those loyal readers of my blog … a very Merry Christmas and healthy New Year.

In hindsight, the year has been a positive one, although I’m sure I’m not the only one who expected a little bit more of an economic recovery? Business has been tough and keeping my chin up more of a challenge than I would like to admit. We can all point fingers, but as the old adage goes … “for every finger you point at someone else, there are three pointing back at yourself.” It is also probably true for many of us that we live beyond our means, fall short in teaching our children and continue to elect ineffective politicians and accept  government as usual.

Negativity aside, I’m thankful to still be living in a country that embraces liberty and rewards personal responsibility. I’m thankful for family and friends who not only support each other, but voluntarily are generous to others in need. As a whole, Americans are like no other when disasters hit and need arises. Our Judeo-Christian morals and values are still alive and exhibited by our citizens even though multiculturalist and secularist gain ground.

On personal reflection, this year has me feeling a bit older. Katelyn is now officially “off the payroll” (as a good friend and blog reader says), a doctor and living on her own. Taylor acts and is very independent with most things. He has been responsible in living off campus, managing his rent, bills and cooking … and realizes that the free and easy college life will soon be coming to an end (although his goal seems to be to stretch it as long as he can, how can I blame him?)

Click for our Corbett Christmas Letter for 2011 in PDF

1975 by Stevie Nicks

This one’s for you daddy.

I took my love and I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
‘Till Landslide brought me down

Oh mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Mmm mmm I don’t know
Mmm mmm
Mmm mmm

Well I’ve been afraid of changing ‘cause I
Built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older, I’m getting older too

Soo (Interlude)

I’ve been afraid of changing ‘cause I
I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder, children get older
I’m getting older too
I’m getting older too
Soo take this love, take it down
Ohh if you climb a mountain and you turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down, down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills,
Well maybe, the landslide will bring it down
Well well the landslide with bring it down

Category: Archive, Holiday, Music, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: archive, brenda, Corbett Christmas Letter, family, katelyn, landslide, letter, pdf, stevie nicks, taylor

Posted By RichC on December 22, 2011

Once upon a time, the word “Plasitcs” was uttered by Mr. McGuire as “enough said” advice for The Graduate in 1967 … nowadays I think we need to start thinking three words or perhaps just the acronym … UAV?

All I can say is find me the “preferred” company to invest in that will dominate both military and commercial UAVs and I think there is money to be made over the next 10 to 20 years. From unmanned drones flying in your neighborhood, to danger zones around the world or just for Hollywood and amateur filmmaking … we’re going to see more planes, spacecraft, flying saucers and helicopters buzzing around. (Besides eliminating terrorists, here’s a great commercial use of a remote control helicopter below)

–

Category: Advice, Audio, Aviation, Financial, Video | No Comments »
Tags: aviaiton, finance, investing, plastics, remote control, uav