Even Management is Out of Touch With Economy

In my position, working in a call center where part of my compensation is selling my companies services and products, and also in trying to retain current customers, now is not the best time of the world. We service accounts in Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, and parts of the Las Vegas area. And with the rise in personal cell phone use, sometimes, the home phone is an expense that can be easily removed.

 

When I moved into my current position, I was pleased to hear that my supervisor had started out in the same position. It always makes employees happy to know that their manager had to rise through the ranks too. Yesterday, we had a team meeting where she pronounced that she used to always be at around 200% of her sales quota. 9 years ago.

 

My, times sure have changed!

 

With national unemployment at the wrong side of 10%, and housing values in Florida and Vegas tanking, selling home phone and internet service to people who may not even want a home phone isn't as easy as it used to be. Yes, we are able to offer stand-alone internet service now, but at a much higher price. Our TV partner is Dishnetwork, which has some great prices, but they do require you lock into a two year agreement. With many people facing uncertainty, not many people want to sign up for something with a hefty price tag if they have to remove it.

 

With the national economy struggling, it is unfair to compare today's selling abilities and quotas to those of a more prosperous economy.

Bud Lite commercials? not so funny any more....

Since I was a communications major during college, I enjoy a smart and funny commercial as much as the next advertising person. The Bud Lite "Tailgate Tested, Tailgate Approved" ads are smart, and ride on the coat-tails of Billy Mays. Even the blue shirt is a rip-off. The commercials originally featured a most unlike beer crowd. In the first commercial, there was an elderly Asian woman cheering on the host. Even the real, although bizarre, creations featured on the commercials are available to purchase on their website.

But the most recent installment is too much for me. Its the condiment gun. Brilliant creation. Bad commercial. The host first asks "Does anyone have trouble putting a condiment on? (The crowd laughs. Cut to female shaking her head at male to her side, who gives the dumb male look) I know I do."

It's not even related to football or beer, but to sex. I know, I know.... sex sales, blah blah blah. I could have gotten together a junior high boys and said here's a condiment gun, make up a commercial. I would have gotten the same results. I don't expect much from beer commercials, and no one should. But to stoop this low, is just idiotic and degrading.

Do I have to turn the TV off when commercials are launched at hope I turn it back on in time for the next play? Come on advertisers, you can do better than this.

My Review of "Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich"

It's difficult to write a simple review of a biography that actually encompasses someone's entire life from childhood to adulthood and death. It is a great book. But there is a lot more to it than simply saying this is a good book.

 

As a father, it shows how the relationship between Press and Pete could also be the same relationship between fathers and children today. Do we push our children too much in one direction to be something that we wanted to be? Do we overlook bad habits or bad behavior because their gifted at the one thing we want them to be good at? Of course we want the best for our children, but we should also look at the relationship between Press and Pete as an example of how to nurture the gifts in children.

 

As a NC State alum, I was amazed at the history of the Maravich family with the Wolfpack basketball program. I lived in Raleigh for 10 years, and I learned more from this book about NC State basketball history than I did when I lived in Raleigh. I wonder what NC State basketball would be like today if Press would have pushed his little disciple more in the classroom so he did qualify academically.

 

Much can be said about his difficulties in the NBA as well. It's obvious that Pete would have been more successful if he had played 10 years later during the NBA explosion brought on by the Magic/Bird rivalry. If Pistol had been on the Hawks during his prime with Dominique Wilkins, that would have been incredibly entertaining.

 

I think it's sad that his career ended so early. But yet, it's obvious that some blame rests on his own shoulders. His behavior off the court clearly made him unwelcome in NBA locker rooms to some extent. Ultimately, it was his knees that ended his career. If Press didn't push him so hard earlier in life, would his body have held up better?

 

Regardless of the speculation, "Pistol" is a very good read for people looking for a good biography and basketball fans alike.

 

The English Language Continues to be Murdered

"I don't where dat chicken at Wal-Mart be coming from, but it be fried good!"

 

 

Overheard at work. There's nothing I can say about this . . . .

Once Again, the Keyboard Forgets to Add Words

Got this in an email that was sent to the entire office. We had some visitors from another office for the week. The employee was thanking them for coming to spend the week with us. Editing by me.

 

I would like to thank the M--- office for visiting us this week. We hope enjoyed the North Carolina. We had an awesome week. Please visit us again.

 

Have a safe trip

 

This employee gets an "A" for making the employees here look like total idiots. Fortunately, this particular employee is not a manager. Unfortunately for those that subscribe to higher English standards, the employee should not be the one sending out emails representing the entire office, especially emails that read like the above.

Billy Packer's Son Opens His Big Tweet

I received this "tweet" from Mark Packer last night....

 

MarkPacker: I turned on the TV and the first thing I heard was "back, back, back".  I'd rather get in the cage w/ Brock Lesner than listen to Berman.

 

For those of you who don't know Mark Packer, he hosts a radio show out of Charlotte, NC that can be heard across the Carolinas on various AM stations. His father is former NCAA basketball commentator Billy Packer. For those that have lived in ACC country forever, Billy Packer's name attracts two types of reactions: disgust or more disgust. His pronouncement during the 2008 NCAA tourney game between UNC and Kansas drew ire from UNC fans because he said the game was over. At the time, UNC was getting blown out. But his comments came in the first half. UNC did make a legitimate contest of it, but any commentator worth his salt isn't going to pronounce a NCAA tourney game over in the first half. Especially a Final Four game.

 

So, some advice for Mark Packer, AM radio host. Be careful of those you critize, because one day, you may have to bite those words.

 

Even I don't like ESPN's Chris Berman's over-the-top style sometimes, but no one is more entertaining at football highlights. As for Packer, also remember who your dad is. Because, there may be a reason he retired shortly after the NCAA tournament last year.

Read at work

In my ever increasing annoyance with abuse of the English language at my work place. I present to you the following. This comes from an instant message conversation. Enjoy....

 

"i just have a box up do i suppose to click on something"

 

Love the use of proper English. The punctuation is spot on. A+!

'Sheed joins the Celtics

In another move that moves the power of the NBA from the West to the East, Rasheed Wallace will be introduced today as the newest member of the Celtics. Being a Celtics fan, I think this is a great move. 'Sheed is along in age. He can still shoot and can still bang inside.

 

Last year, when KG was injured, the C's didn't have another offensive option in the front court unless you count inconsistent play from Perkins and Davis. They had great games, but were largely inconsistent. Without KG in the lineup, their bench was largely exposed for not having enough front line contributors that could come in and take up minutes.

 

Experts are expecting Wallace to come off the bench. I think that would be fine. Perkins still has a tendency to get in foul trouble early, and Wallace might as well be a 6th starter. Wallace takes some of the double team threat off of KG, because 'Sheed is still a viable offensive threat.

 

A great move by the Celtics front office. With Shaq-ovic in Cleveland, it was important for Boston to improve their front court, even it's just to draw fouls from the Diesel. Other Eastern Conference clubs have made moves, but none substantial enough to compete with Cleveland and Boston.

 

Orlando traded a way too much for a Vince Carter that is far removed from Vinsanity. Atlanta hasn't made any moves.  Detroit added Ben Gordon, but lost Wallace. Toronto signed the Shooting Turk, Hedu Turkaglu. Charlotte has.... uh, next. New Jersey? same. Philly got exposed during the playoffs for not being able to play a half court game and they haven't made any significant improvements.

 

It's still Cleveland and Boston at the top for now.

Overheard at work today

"That's the largest funeral, global, in the nation."

 

A co-worker discussing the memorial service for Michael Jackson on CNN.

Did the Decleration include hotdogs and hamburgers?

I think there is a missing page of the Decleration of Independence. Since i've been alive, I've think I've always celebrated the 4th of July with hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and anything else that can be grilled or comes in a disposable container. What is missing from the Decleration is just that, a decleration.

 

We declare ourselves free of the English meal of "fish 'n' chips." We establish our own tradition, an American tradition. We will cook meat over a flame, wether charcoal or gas. We will have family get togethers. We will explode ordinances in the air! We will get out lawn darts (in some states). We will bask in the in the sunshine and heat that is decidedly, not an English tradition.

 

I believe that if the original Patriots knew how big a holiday July 4th would become, they would be quite pleased.

 

 

The Summer of Cancer and Other Maladies

I recently learned that one of my uncles had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He has been given only a few months to live. He's had respiratory problems recently and finally went to a doctor who referred him to a specialist. Then the bad news.

Mrs. Rocker has had an aunt that has been living with cancer since at least last year. She's only been given a few months as well.

Mrs. Rocker's best friend at church recently underwent breast cancer surgery. She is scheduled to start chemo soon. My wife and her had big plans this summer since they both teach and have their summers free. While they still plan on trying to do as much as they can, their plans have been altered regardless.

Today, Mrs. Rocker was called out of town to be with other members of her family as an uncle battles complications from diabetes. He has been in and out of the hospital over the last few months, and it just might be his time to go home to be with his Father.

Mrs. Rocker's mom will be undegoing surgery this Friday. While we definetly want the surgery to go well, everyone was concerned earlier that we might be dealing with the C word again. While it's not present, she will be home for about 6 weeks after the surgery to recover.

While the summer is supposed to be a time to take weekend trips and time off work to spend with friends and family, this isn't how we anticipated spending our summer. Of course, our friends and families feel the same way.

At any point in time, Mrs. Rocker or myself could be called out of town to be with our own families. Sometimes, God's timing isn't in sync with our plans, but yet, his timing is still pefect, and he will provide.

Manram and TO

Manny signs with the Dodgers. Told ya so. Almost identical terms that he had refused - 2 years, $45 million - but no deferred money. The Dodgers knew he would do this, they were just trying to help their own pockets a little. They are better off giving him the 2 years guarenteed.

And Terrell Owens gets released by the 'Boys. Football fans, this is going to get real entertaining. The fun has only just begun. Soon (maybe), TO will have a new team and a new quarterback to disparrage. Personally, I can't wait for the reporters in his driveway again. Raiders, you are on the clock. Because I can't think of anyone else that would sign him.

Manny and the Dodgers

Attention all baseball fans. Manny Ramirez will play for the dodgers in 2009. The two sides are almost at an agreement as far as the terms. But the Dodgers aren't putting that spin on it. Instead, we are being told that the negotiations are starting from scratch.

Which is just a creative way to say Manny will be signed late in spring training, but before the season starts. Manny hates spring training. Duh. By saying negotiations will start from scratch, the Dodgers have an easy out when they agree to terms with Manram that will be very similar to terms they have already offered.

"Life" is Good

Much like the bumper stickers and t-shirts, "Life" is good. Since the 2007-08 TV season, I've been hooked on the NBC TV show, "Life." The show's plot revolves around police officer Charlie Crews who was locked up for murder, then was released, and is now Detective Crews. He continues to search for the true criminal to the murder he was originally convicted of doing.

Like good TV shows, there is a continuing plot line that weaves the episodes together. And it's not just his plot line. His partner, Dana Reese, also his her own issues. She's a recovering alcoholic and has had issues with previous undercover assignments.

Donal Logue, who was brought in this season (season 2), performs admirably as Captain Tidwell. I've always thought he was a decent actor, but he really shines in this roll.

Much like "Lost" this is the type of show that those who got hooked on the first few episodes will continue to watch. The FBI is involved, the Russian Mafia, other LAPD officers. It kinda reminds me of "The X-Files" as far as the intrigue and conspiracy. But there are no flying saucers and El Chupacabra does not make an appearance. What makes it better than "The X-Files" is that the continuing plot line comes back every episode and doesn't take a few weeks off.

I think it is the best show on TV right now. Unfortunately, I doubt the execs at NBC would agree with me. Right now, I'm hoping that it comes back next season. Where else can you find a show where the lead actor gets shot in the shoulder by an FBI agent, retrieves the bullet that shot him, melts it back down to another bullet, and then shoots the same FBI agent with the "new" bullet?

God Smotes NASA

Today, a NASA satellite aboard a Taurus XL rocket crashed 3 minutes after takeoff near Antartica. The satellite was to measure greenhouse gases and their affect on climate change. The payload was not able to properly seperate from the rocket and it plumetted back to earth.

Immediatly after launch, another satellite in space recorded an immense release of greenhouse gases near the launch pad at Vanenberg Air Force Base in California. The air temperature at the base shot up an astonishing 20 degrees. Later in the day, ice around Antartica began to melt as an object that had just try to launch into space burning thousands of gallons of fuel fell into the ocean nearby.

/sarcasm

Penn State High School vs Illinois High School

Penn State scored 38 points last night in men’s basketball. And won. I repeat. Penn State scored 38 points in a full regulation game and even won. Poor Illinois. Goodbye top 20.

Penn State's Team Stats:
TOTALS FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A
13-46 3-17 9-11
28.3% 17.6% 81.8%

The 28.3% is Penn State’s field goal percentage. The number lower than 28.3 is 17.6. That is their 3-point percentage. A pretty pathetic performance. Alliteration!

Here are Illinois’s stats:
TOTALS FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A
15-50 3-16 0-0
30.0% 18.8% 00.0%

Not much better. Slightly better, and still lost. The amazing thing is no free throws attempted. If I’m the Illinois coach, I’m calling the Big 10 commissioner about this. Considering that PSU did commit 8 fouls, maybe he should be teaching his kids how to attack the rim and draw contact.

NC State @ UNC

NC State and UNC gear up for another squabble tonight. After winning its last two conference games (which is a streak for NCSU), the Pack will try for legitimacy tonight in the Dean Dome. A win would put the Pack in great position to make a late season run to make the NCAA tourney, or at least the NIT. Even the NIT would be a marked improvement over last years late season implosion.

As for UNC, another win just gets them closer to #1 seed in the ACC tourney, and quite possibly, the NCAA tourney as well.

All that room, and 2 subs collide?

Recently in the news, a US and Soviet satellite crashed into each other in space orbit. Now we learn that earlier in February, French and British nuclear subs collided in the Atlantic Ocean.

Besides just being shocked that these things could bump into each other with so much space to roam around, I was surprised that France even had a navy.

What’s next? Are the Greeks and Italians going to go at it?

The Phoenix Suns are the new Knicks

The Phoenix Suns fired first time head coach Terry Porter half-way through the season.
Not funny.

The Phoenix Suns fired Mike D’Antoni after last season after management didn’t think he could win the NBA Championship. He did lead them to the Western Conference Finals in 2007.
Not funny.

The Phoenix Suns fired a first time coach at the midway point after firing their previous coach for only getting them to the Conference finals.
Hilarious.

Unfortunately for Porter, there really wasn’t a way he was going to live up to the success of D’Antoni. Especially after management ripped apart the speedy lineup. Shawn Marion was traded for the slower Shaq. Porter tried to institute a more half-court scheme but it just wasn’t successful.

Hopefully Porter will be a head coach again someday. But he needs more seasoning as an assistant this time around.

"DOWN GOES FRAZAH!"

Not a good week to be the favorite in college basketball.

Monday:
#16 Kansas 60, @ #19 Missouri 62

Tuesday:
#12 Marquette 84, @ #13 Villanova 102

Wednesday
#14 Xavier 58 @ unranked (but with better overall record) Dayton 71
#8 Wake Forest 76 @ unranked (don’t get me started) NC State 82

Thursday
#7 Louisville 57 @ unranked Notre Dame 90
#6 UCLA @ #18 Arizona St. 74 (good job Coach Sendek)
George Mason (16-8, 9-5 CAA) 58 @ Delaware (11-15, 5-9 CAA)

If this continues, should be a very interesting weekend.

UPDATE:
Saturday
UCLA lost again Saturday, this time to Arizona. Goodbye top 10.

#17 Utah St lost to unranked Boise St, 66-56.

Sunday
Virginia, almost last in the ACC, upset #11 Clemson in OT 85-81..
#15 Butler lost to unranked Loyola (Ill) 71-67
#5 Duke lost to Boston College 80-74

Limp Bizkit and satellite collisions, oh my

I saw this on the crawl on CNN this morning: “Limp Bizkit reunites for World Tour.” Does Fred Durst need some money or something? And for CNN to actually think this is news worthy is really crazy.

Also in the news this morning, Russian and US satellites collided in space. So there is all this room in space, and two satellites actually collide? I’m guessing the Russians will probably blame us anyway. Sorry guys! Did we have satellite insurance?

Chris Brown was under arrest for battery. Supposedly, he beat up Rhianna, his girlfriend. Was his good-boy image just too much to bear?

And the Grammy awards were Sunday night. I think I speak for most of the country when I say “who cares?”

Does Favre get two pensions?

Favre is retiring again. Please, for the sake of the sports news feed, STAY retired this time. As for the Jets, the draft is April 25-26. You are on the clock. Kellen Clemens is your QB right now. Yes, that is the sound of the football world giggling.

At least Favre retired before the draft so that Jets can adjust their draft plans accordingly. Last year they stocked up their defense so I don’t see any holes there. Their most glaring need right now is quarterback, of course.

Here is the list of top QBs in the draft at this moment.
Matthew Stafford (Georgia)
Mark Sanchez (Southern California)
Josh Freeman (Kansas St)

Detroit will probably take Stafford. Even if they don’t, there is no way he lasts until #17 where the Jets sit. Sanchez might be available by then. The big problem for the Jets is going to be draft order.

Besides the Lions, I really don’t see any other teams in need of a QB drafting in front of the Jets, unless you think the Chiefs need a QB. But at #3, that is certainly too early to draft Sanchez. I think the Jets sit on the pick. They may draft Sanchez, they may not.

There is also the option to absolutely tank this season and draft one of the gunslingers in the 2010 draft.

Life of Reilly at the unSuperbowl

Rick Reilly offers a hilarious take on being part of Springsteen's fantourage during the Superbowl halftime show.

I wonder what all the kids did in the years prior to the Janet Jackson fiasco.

Sir Charles Returns

Glad to see Sir Charles will be back on the airwaves soon. According to an ESPN article, Barkley will be back after the All-Star break. Just in time. I can hardly stand to watch the NBA until the play-offs start anyway. At least Barkley provides some entertainment on his own.

Earlier this season, Dick Vitale called an NBA game for the first time since he had all of his hair. A better gimmick for ESPN would be to have Dickie V and Barkley call a game by themselves. THAT would be entertaining.

Steroids, basketball, and NC State

In continuing with recent tradition (as in the last two to three weeks), here are my random thoughts from the weekend.

Alex Rodriguez used steroids. At this point, I am beyond caring. I do consider myself an avid baseball fan and am for purity of the game. But so many stars and regular players have been busted by now, I’m surprised it’s even a headline. Of course, that doesn’t excuse the behavior, it is just starting to look more like the company line, instead of the guilty few.

The defending world champs (NBA) Boston Celtics lost this week to the Spurs and Lakers. They are not defending very well.

As for NC State basketball, it is no longer a question of how many years are left on Lowe’s contract. Now, the question is how much does he want to quit. This team has absolutely no heart. They blew an 18 point lead to one-win Va. Tech. When does football season start?

Random Thoughts for February 5, 2009

Etta James is mad at Beyonce for singing her signature song to President Obama during one of the inaugural balls. James said she would kick Beyonce’s butt. Great idea. Maybe CBS can air it on Saturday night in place of their cancelled Elite XC series.

What does “shovel-ready” really mean?


This is one of the best pictures I’ve ever seen of Coach K, standing in his full-on “I’m about to erupt” posture. Is his face that red or is that the orange glow reflecting? Check out Wojo in the bottom right. I think he’s going to cry. If it wasn’t -20 degrees outside, I would gladly let Sarah wear her Tiger Paw shirt.


I think it’s a bad idea for the government to get involved in “faith-based initiative programs.” While we all like to have our elected officials to have high moral character (though that seems to be in doubt lately), I think it’s a bad idea to have the government getting involved in the funding of religious non-profits. That is such a slippery slope. As we have seen with the financial sector, as soon as they started asking for money, the government got real interested in what they were doing with that money and why they needed it in the first place.

Free At Last

Freedom means many different things to many different people. Some people want to be able to choose their local and national leaders by election. Some people want to be able to participate in their religion without government intervention. Some want to express their own ideas without government suppression.

Recently, Mrs. Rocker and I have started talking about what we would have to do for her to be a stay-at-home mom. We are seeking God’s guidance in this issue. You may ask, what does this have to do with freedom. I will explain in short. I would love for her to be able to stay at home with the kids. There are so many other things that she wants to do with her life than to be a music teacher, and if God calls her to do those things, then we should do those things.

Everyone is covered under my employer’s insurance plans so insurance isn’t a problem. While we would probably qualify for government programs because of the kids and one income, I don’t want the assistance. That is part of being free for me.

When one of my coworkers says to me that we could get assistance (Medicaid and food stamps) when not even thinking of other alternatives, it tells me that too many people expect the government to take care of their basic needs. And I certainly understand that some people need that help due to disability or other hardships (see today’s economy). It just disturbs me that people think that the government is there to help all the time and not just assist in times of need.

The Constitution promised truth, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It did not promise Corn Flakes, macaroni and cheese, and winter heating assistance.

Thoughts from the weekend....

Congrats to the Arizona Cardinals for winning the NFC Championship.

NC State finally stops an 11 games conference losing streak. Only to play Duke next. How many years are left on Sidney Lowe’s contract?

Even though I didn’t vote for Barak, he has a lot of expectations to live up to. Best of luck satisfying all those interests.

I can’t remember any other concert before a presidential inauguration. It’s official, politics have become entertainment. But a concert at the Lincoln Memorial? Isn’t that a little much?