was typing a text on my iphone about my wife, who happens to be pregnant.
I typed in "preggo" and it auto-filled in "preggosaurus."
Steve Jobs has a sense of humor
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
publisher letter
it took me a record-setting 5 drafts to get it done. All were on different subjects.
Writing about nothing in particular is hard sometimes!
Writing about nothing in particular is hard sometimes!
Monday, December 14, 2009
sidewalk
so Boerne has decided that it needs a sidewalk that will go over the Cibolo River to connect North Main and South Main. There is already a sidewalk there, but we need a new one, dammit.
The cost? Oh, only 1.25 million. For a sidewalk.
Now, I could take 1.25 million and build a 10,000 sq ft home, but the city can only build a sidewalk.
oh, and the best part is that they want to do with Obama "stimulus money". So it's free, right? Wrong.
If little ol' Boerne is going to take a 1.25 million dollar hand-out, what do you think Chicago is doing? Or Houston? The money is being flushed down the toilet, and even hardcore Republican hotbeds like Boerne are perfectly fine with getting in line to kiss the ring.
Even at the small-town local level, politicians confuse and disappoint me. I SO wish Ted Nugent would climb out of his tree long enough to run for President.
I'm serious.
The cost? Oh, only 1.25 million. For a sidewalk.
Now, I could take 1.25 million and build a 10,000 sq ft home, but the city can only build a sidewalk.
oh, and the best part is that they want to do with Obama "stimulus money". So it's free, right? Wrong.
If little ol' Boerne is going to take a 1.25 million dollar hand-out, what do you think Chicago is doing? Or Houston? The money is being flushed down the toilet, and even hardcore Republican hotbeds like Boerne are perfectly fine with getting in line to kiss the ring.
Even at the small-town local level, politicians confuse and disappoint me. I SO wish Ted Nugent would climb out of his tree long enough to run for President.
I'm serious.
Friday, December 11, 2009
oh, REALLY?
so they give this asshat Obama the Nobel Peace Prize. Now that we're all done laughing about it, why don't we give a Peace Prize to one of these guys:
The largest military force the world has ever known, whose entire purpose is the perpetuation of democracy and freedom. I never joined in the military, but have written it off as one of my largest mistakes. I would love to go back in time and enlist. I have an intense amount of respect for them.
Instead, Obama is celebrated while he belittles and works to ensure defeat for our armed forces.
Food for thought on a Friday.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
jobby jobs
so I'm bored and go to craigslist.
I go to jobs, and search BOERNE out of curiosity.
job after job. Except every job is "Waitress", "Server", "Installer", or "Online Sales."
This isn't a new problem for Boerne. Our EDC, Chamber, and beloved City Council are constantly handling the complaints of citizens that are sick of folks moving to Boerne only to commute back to San Antonio. The thing about is, CAN YOU BLAME THEM?
Boerne has no major employers outside of the city and the school district. So if you'd like to work for the utilities department or are a teacher, you're good to go. But if you've got a marketing degree, your options are slim and none.
Our landlords charge exorbitant rent, our city makes it next to impossible to get the zoning right, and with so many commuters, you cut down your daytime traffic for your business. It's a tough nut to crack.
We just need USAA to open a giant satellite branch here.
I go to jobs, and search BOERNE out of curiosity.
job after job. Except every job is "Waitress", "Server", "Installer", or "Online Sales."
This isn't a new problem for Boerne. Our EDC, Chamber, and beloved City Council are constantly handling the complaints of citizens that are sick of folks moving to Boerne only to commute back to San Antonio. The thing about is, CAN YOU BLAME THEM?
Boerne has no major employers outside of the city and the school district. So if you'd like to work for the utilities department or are a teacher, you're good to go. But if you've got a marketing degree, your options are slim and none.
Our landlords charge exorbitant rent, our city makes it next to impossible to get the zoning right, and with so many commuters, you cut down your daytime traffic for your business. It's a tough nut to crack.
We just need USAA to open a giant satellite branch here.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
growth
so I'm pretty sure that Bayless Miller's 900+ acres has sold. That's Bayless of Bill Miller's fame. His property is just down from the old Jennings Anderson location.
The buyer? Centex.
Do you have any idea how many houses Centex can put on 900 acres? And of course Esperanza is going to begin swinging hammers in the first quarter of 2010. So if Centex builds 1800 houses (and it will probably be MORE) and Esperanza is calling for a minimum of 2500 homes. That's almost 4k houses. If every house has three people on average, that's TWELVE THOUSAND new residents.
When I was growing up in Boerne, the town had a population of 3k.
I know that people move here because it's nice and you're out of the city and it has its charms. But is it charming when there are twenty thousand people living here and Main Street is backed up like a parking lot? Is it a nice place to live when the landscape is nothing but rooftops?
I have no answers other than to say it's sad. It's wonderful for business, but it's depressing to see the REASON people moved here being replace with the REASON they left the city.
The buyer? Centex.
Do you have any idea how many houses Centex can put on 900 acres? And of course Esperanza is going to begin swinging hammers in the first quarter of 2010. So if Centex builds 1800 houses (and it will probably be MORE) and Esperanza is calling for a minimum of 2500 homes. That's almost 4k houses. If every house has three people on average, that's TWELVE THOUSAND new residents.
When I was growing up in Boerne, the town had a population of 3k.
I know that people move here because it's nice and you're out of the city and it has its charms. But is it charming when there are twenty thousand people living here and Main Street is backed up like a parking lot? Is it a nice place to live when the landscape is nothing but rooftops?
I have no answers other than to say it's sad. It's wonderful for business, but it's depressing to see the REASON people moved here being replace with the REASON they left the city.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
women's shelter
so Boerne has decided it needs a woman's shelter to protect women from their violent partners.
the organizer has told me men will be barred from the services of this facility. What a crock.
What would happen if I opened a MEN's only shelter? Well, it would certainly be sexist, and Gloria Allred would be picketing the place out front. Statistics show that 50% of DV is perpetuated by women, but there are no services for men? Instead, a woman can CLAIM DV, show up at this shelter, and a team of people will jump into motion to make sure that evil man never sees his wife or kids again. I know the INTENT is a good one, but as someone that has seen the inner-workings of the family court system, it's abused as much as it's utilized.
food for thought on your Tuesday.
the organizer has told me men will be barred from the services of this facility. What a crock.
What would happen if I opened a MEN's only shelter? Well, it would certainly be sexist, and Gloria Allred would be picketing the place out front. Statistics show that 50% of DV is perpetuated by women, but there are no services for men? Instead, a woman can CLAIM DV, show up at this shelter, and a team of people will jump into motion to make sure that evil man never sees his wife or kids again. I know the INTENT is a good one, but as someone that has seen the inner-workings of the family court system, it's abused as much as it's utilized.
food for thought on your Tuesday.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
uuuugggghhhh
I actually got some sleep, albeit on the couch.
I was invaded by kids wary of the storms outside.
I can't talk today, as I've now lost my voice.
it's raining, and cold.
I'm miserable.
I was invaded by kids wary of the storms outside.
I can't talk today, as I've now lost my voice.
it's raining, and cold.
I'm miserable.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
my night....
9pm - laid in bed.
10pm - still lying there, eyes wide.
11pm - got up, and watched end of Spurs game.
1am - back to bed.
130am - awake.
2am - heard a noise, investigated. just a kid going potty.
3am - awake
330am - dog wanted out.
4am - youngest kid crawled into bed.
5am - awake
530 - alarm went off.
I haven't slept since Tuesday night. Guess my mood?
10pm - still lying there, eyes wide.
11pm - got up, and watched end of Spurs game.
1am - back to bed.
130am - awake.
2am - heard a noise, investigated. just a kid going potty.
3am - awake
330am - dog wanted out.
4am - youngest kid crawled into bed.
5am - awake
530 - alarm went off.
I haven't slept since Tuesday night. Guess my mood?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Todd speaketh the truth....
Won't work this morning
I can't punch in
There's too many questions
Under my skin
My back is achin'
I'm so confused
I can't help feeling like
I'm being used
I did like they told me
I settled down
Now I'm going crazy
Workin' down town
What do I do here
Why do I stay
Who are all these people
I check in with every day
Chorus:
I need room to think this over
I need a ride out to Horseshoe Lake
I wanna feel like it makes a difference
What difference one man makes
They say that one man makes the money
One man makes the time
I need time to think this over
I've got to make up my own mind
I don't need a psychic
I don't need a shrink
I need time away from all of this
I need a drink
How did I get here
Where will I go
Why am I so haunted
By anything that I don't know
I can't punch in
There's too many questions
Under my skin
My back is achin'
I'm so confused
I can't help feeling like
I'm being used
I did like they told me
I settled down
Now I'm going crazy
Workin' down town
What do I do here
Why do I stay
Who are all these people
I check in with every day
Chorus:
I need room to think this over
I need a ride out to Horseshoe Lake
I wanna feel like it makes a difference
What difference one man makes
They say that one man makes the money
One man makes the time
I need time to think this over
I've got to make up my own mind
I don't need a psychic
I don't need a shrink
I need time away from all of this
I need a drink
How did I get here
Where will I go
Why am I so haunted
By anything that I don't know
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
spam
Tax Refund
We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your fiscal activity we
have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $178,80
under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Please submit the tax refund form and allow us 3-6 business days in order
to process it.
To access your tax refund, use the form attached to this email.
David Morgan
Director, Tax Refunds Department
Note: For security reasons, we will record your ip-address, the date and
time. Deliberate wrong inputs are criminally pursued and indicted.
this was some spam I got today. For a split second I was excited, until I saw that it would take 3-6 days for the IRS to process my payment. Immediately, I knew it was a scam.
good 'ol gubment and its low expectations.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
good times
Ben, we've had little response off the ad!
Are you tracking it?
No.
Do you ask people how they found you?
No.
How do you know if the ad is bringing customers in?
Well, we figure they'll tell us.
Do you walk into stores and say, "Saw your ad in Tx Monthly. I'm here to spend money!"?
No.
Neither do I. So do you want to change up the ad to generate some response?
But the ad has brought us NO response.
ugh.
Are you tracking it?
No.
Do you ask people how they found you?
No.
How do you know if the ad is bringing customers in?
Well, we figure they'll tell us.
Do you walk into stores and say, "Saw your ad in Tx Monthly. I'm here to spend money!"?
No.
Neither do I. So do you want to change up the ad to generate some response?
But the ad has brought us NO response.
ugh.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
pump it up
it's more nauseating than effective.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Boerne WineSellers
has a fabulous new BAR attached to their original location.
Old-timers might remember the "Cellar on Main". This is quite similar.
very, VERY nicely done. reasonable wine pricing. $3 beers. finger foods. If they can get the word out on it, it will be a wild success.
Old-timers might remember the "Cellar on Main". This is quite similar.
very, VERY nicely done. reasonable wine pricing. $3 beers. finger foods. If they can get the word out on it, it will be a wild success.
customer service
I love to pump sunshine on good customer service, and to publicize bad customer service. Yesterday I purchased 4 atv tires. The front two I had to buy from Alamo Cycle Plex. The rear two I had to buy from Discount Tire.
Alamo Cycle Plex:
Roland didn't look at me when I entered. I explained what I was there for, and he said OK, and then took 3 phone calls while I was standing there. He filled out a form for me, again, without looking at me. He mumbled "Just drag the tires in here and throw them in the corner." Keep in mind these are ATV tires. I'm dressed for work. He is wearing a mechanic's jumpsuit. After dragging these heavy tires in and tossing them in a corner, I asked "How long do you think it will be?" "At least an hour" he mumbles. "What does that mean?" "At least an hour, sir." "Is that one hour or FIVE hours?" "At least an hour." "You're not answering my question. GUESS how long it might take." "Probably an hour or more." I stared at him, shook my head, and left.
Discount Tire:
The place was BUSY. Came in, and there were several young guys running the counter. They had free bottled water in the corner. The guys were sharp, smiled to greet you, and polite. After inputting my info, he says "Where's your truck?" I point, and he runs (literally) out to the back of my truck, picks up the tires and says "This will probably take about 45 mins. If there is any delay we'll call you right away!"
An hour later I pulled up to Discount Tire, the guy spots me in the parking lot, runs (again) to go get my tires and loads them in the back of my truck, SHAKES MY HAND, and wishes me a great day.
I drove to Cycle Plex, Roland was practically dozing in a corner. He looks at me, POINTS at my tires. I load them myself in the truck. He then tells me that I must go to the cashier to pay. I go into the showroom where you have to enter a turnstile to get in line to pay. Once to the front of the line, they wanted my phone number, address, and when I said NO, she told me she wouldn't check me out. I gave them fake info. It took almost 15 mins for me to get through the line to pay.
Guess where I'll be getting tires from next time.
Customers make your business, and when you treat them like trash, they do business somewhere else. Seems like a pretty simple and obvious statement, but I am always amazed by those that forget it.
have a great Wednesday.
Alamo Cycle Plex:
Roland didn't look at me when I entered. I explained what I was there for, and he said OK, and then took 3 phone calls while I was standing there. He filled out a form for me, again, without looking at me. He mumbled "Just drag the tires in here and throw them in the corner." Keep in mind these are ATV tires. I'm dressed for work. He is wearing a mechanic's jumpsuit. After dragging these heavy tires in and tossing them in a corner, I asked "How long do you think it will be?" "At least an hour" he mumbles. "What does that mean?" "At least an hour, sir." "Is that one hour or FIVE hours?" "At least an hour." "You're not answering my question. GUESS how long it might take." "Probably an hour or more." I stared at him, shook my head, and left.
Discount Tire:
The place was BUSY. Came in, and there were several young guys running the counter. They had free bottled water in the corner. The guys were sharp, smiled to greet you, and polite. After inputting my info, he says "Where's your truck?" I point, and he runs (literally) out to the back of my truck, picks up the tires and says "This will probably take about 45 mins. If there is any delay we'll call you right away!"
An hour later I pulled up to Discount Tire, the guy spots me in the parking lot, runs (again) to go get my tires and loads them in the back of my truck, SHAKES MY HAND, and wishes me a great day.
I drove to Cycle Plex, Roland was practically dozing in a corner. He looks at me, POINTS at my tires. I load them myself in the truck. He then tells me that I must go to the cashier to pay. I go into the showroom where you have to enter a turnstile to get in line to pay. Once to the front of the line, they wanted my phone number, address, and when I said NO, she told me she wouldn't check me out. I gave them fake info. It took almost 15 mins for me to get through the line to pay.
Guess where I'll be getting tires from next time.
Customers make your business, and when you treat them like trash, they do business somewhere else. Seems like a pretty simple and obvious statement, but I am always amazed by those that forget it.
have a great Wednesday.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
friday
i'm sick of magazines. I'm sick of this blog. I'm sick of the phone.
just fyi.
thanks for reading.
have an awesome wknd.
just fyi.
thanks for reading.
have an awesome wknd.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
oh buddy.
it's been so long since I've had a blog. This is going to be a blast. Useless, ranting posts shall be coming shortly....
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