It's hard to believe that my little blog is a year old today; it's passed fast. I haven't posted as much as I originally envisioned I would, but I blog when I can or when I come up with something to talk about.
Here's to the first year and hopefully to lots more blog posts to come.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Musings on Ken Burns
I'm a huge fan of Ken Burns. I love his documentaries and I rate his "The Civil War" and "The West" as two of my favourites. If you haven't seen them, get thee to a video store or an online dvd rental subscription and watch them.
I love history. I always have and I always will. The interesting thing is that I haven't been overly interested in 20th Century history. To me, the older the better. I love the Classical World (ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome), Church, British and American history.
I know about World War I and II. I studied them in high school. I remember reading Barbara Tuchman's excellent book, "The Guns of August" in Grade eleven. My Dad was a huge fan of war movies and I grew up watching lots of bits and pieces of war movies. I know the circumstances that led to World War II. I know when it started (September 1st, 1939) and that it ended in May 1945 (V.E.) and August 1945 (V.J.) respectively. My parents, growing up in Britain during the War, told stories of some of the hardships they faced. I love the fashions of the 30's and 40's and the music. I adore big band, especially Glen Miller. "The Glen Miller Story" with James Stewart and June Allyson is one of my all-time favourite movies and I have Glen Miller playing in the background as I type this.
So, when I finally got a hold of a copy of Ken Burns' "The War" I pounced on it and we watched all the episodes that we had on hand. Watching it, I found hard to get my mind around a time when, basically, the whole world had gone insane. I just can't imagine the whole world at war. I knew about the Battle of Midway, knew of General Douglas MacArthur, General Patton, etc. I knew about the Nazi attrocities; I knew about DDay and I've seen what veterans consider the most authentic depiction of DDay in "Saving Private Ryan". I've seen "Schindler's List" and cried my eyes out. Some of the images from those movies will haunt me forever. I knew my "Uncle Ben" fought in India. But, seeing the stories told by veterans did something to me. Hearing the letters read aloud that were sent home was emotional. Some of the recipients were crying as they read them. Some of the photos and video were graphic. You saw people being shot and I often winced, knowing this was not a Hollywood movie; that was someone's son/brother/husband/sweetheart, etc. that was killed. I'm sure I've seen it/heard it all before, but this did something to me. Perhaps because Ken Burns has put a human face on it. It's easy to dismiss a lot of war movies as "just Hollywood". I mean, we all know it's Tom Hanks ("Saving Private Ryan") or Henry Fonda ("Midway") or John Wayne ("Sands of Iwo Jima" and "Back to Bataan")up there on the screen.
Ken Burns tells the story from the American perspective; that's all right, That's what he does best - Americana. He doesn't do it obnoxiously. He shows America's involvement, warts and all. He shows that some white Americans weren't too happy working side-by-side with Blacks in the shipyards and in their military units; that some Blacks were turned down for military service; that Japanese-Americans weren't allowed to join the army after Pearl Harbor (Japanese-Americans were eventually granted their own military unit). Kids in high school should watch his documentaries as part of history curriculum.
It's not that I was blind to what transpired sixty plus years ago. I observe Remembrance Day every year and proudly wear my poppy. Yet somehow that just doesn't seem enough. To all those that served: British, Canadian, Australian, American - everyone - a heart felt "thank you". Those of us that came after you can never repay the debt we owe you.
I love history. I always have and I always will. The interesting thing is that I haven't been overly interested in 20th Century history. To me, the older the better. I love the Classical World (ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome), Church, British and American history.
I know about World War I and II. I studied them in high school. I remember reading Barbara Tuchman's excellent book, "The Guns of August" in Grade eleven. My Dad was a huge fan of war movies and I grew up watching lots of bits and pieces of war movies. I know the circumstances that led to World War II. I know when it started (September 1st, 1939) and that it ended in May 1945 (V.E.) and August 1945 (V.J.) respectively. My parents, growing up in Britain during the War, told stories of some of the hardships they faced. I love the fashions of the 30's and 40's and the music. I adore big band, especially Glen Miller. "The Glen Miller Story" with James Stewart and June Allyson is one of my all-time favourite movies and I have Glen Miller playing in the background as I type this.
So, when I finally got a hold of a copy of Ken Burns' "The War" I pounced on it and we watched all the episodes that we had on hand. Watching it, I found hard to get my mind around a time when, basically, the whole world had gone insane. I just can't imagine the whole world at war. I knew about the Battle of Midway, knew of General Douglas MacArthur, General Patton, etc. I knew about the Nazi attrocities; I knew about DDay and I've seen what veterans consider the most authentic depiction of DDay in "Saving Private Ryan". I've seen "Schindler's List" and cried my eyes out. Some of the images from those movies will haunt me forever. I knew my "Uncle Ben" fought in India. But, seeing the stories told by veterans did something to me. Hearing the letters read aloud that were sent home was emotional. Some of the recipients were crying as they read them. Some of the photos and video were graphic. You saw people being shot and I often winced, knowing this was not a Hollywood movie; that was someone's son/brother/husband/sweetheart, etc. that was killed. I'm sure I've seen it/heard it all before, but this did something to me. Perhaps because Ken Burns has put a human face on it. It's easy to dismiss a lot of war movies as "just Hollywood". I mean, we all know it's Tom Hanks ("Saving Private Ryan") or Henry Fonda ("Midway") or John Wayne ("Sands of Iwo Jima" and "Back to Bataan")up there on the screen.
Ken Burns tells the story from the American perspective; that's all right, That's what he does best - Americana. He doesn't do it obnoxiously. He shows America's involvement, warts and all. He shows that some white Americans weren't too happy working side-by-side with Blacks in the shipyards and in their military units; that some Blacks were turned down for military service; that Japanese-Americans weren't allowed to join the army after Pearl Harbor (Japanese-Americans were eventually granted their own military unit). Kids in high school should watch his documentaries as part of history curriculum.
It's not that I was blind to what transpired sixty plus years ago. I observe Remembrance Day every year and proudly wear my poppy. Yet somehow that just doesn't seem enough. To all those that served: British, Canadian, Australian, American - everyone - a heart felt "thank you". Those of us that came after you can never repay the debt we owe you.
Friday, July 18, 2008
A Tale of Two Stories of Customer Service
If I get good customer service, I stick with a company. If I get crappy customer service, I dump them if I can or try to avoid shopping there. I sometimes even stick with a company that really tries to give good service, even if they fall short every now and then.
I live not too far from a pet food store. It's a major chain store, but I generally don't shop there as their prices are high and it's not a pleasant shopping atmosphere. It's dark and dingy and they don't have a good selection of the stuff I usually buy. I generally patronize a small store which has a few outlets and is considerablly further away. Their prices are quite a bit cheaper and if I have any questions, the staff are very helpful with their recommendations. The place isn't dark and crowded; it's bright and airy.
So, last night, I need to get some pet food. I normally do this chore on the weekends, but the cats ran out of dry food. I went to the store that was close by, thinking I could pick up a small bag for a couple of dollars to tide them over until the weekend. I was disgusted to find that the major chain store wanted to charge me $6.00 for a small one pound bag. Then I changed my mind and decided to buy a large bag and use a coupon I have for 20% off my purchase. So, I lug the large bag up the counter and I'm told that I can't use the coupon for food. Sure enough, if I'd turned the coupon over, I would have seen that. In disgust, I walk out and drive to the other store. Immediately, the girl behind the counter greets me saying, "Is there anything I can help you with?" I stocked up on what I needed and handed her the coupon that I had for her store. I got my discount and recounted my episode at the other store.
That pretty much sealed the deal. That main chain store has pretty much guaranteed that I will NEVER shop there again. (I can't say for sure, because I can foresee that there may be a time where I need to get something from them in an emergency).
Here's to good customer service and the lengths we go to get it.
I live not too far from a pet food store. It's a major chain store, but I generally don't shop there as their prices are high and it's not a pleasant shopping atmosphere. It's dark and dingy and they don't have a good selection of the stuff I usually buy. I generally patronize a small store which has a few outlets and is considerablly further away. Their prices are quite a bit cheaper and if I have any questions, the staff are very helpful with their recommendations. The place isn't dark and crowded; it's bright and airy.
So, last night, I need to get some pet food. I normally do this chore on the weekends, but the cats ran out of dry food. I went to the store that was close by, thinking I could pick up a small bag for a couple of dollars to tide them over until the weekend. I was disgusted to find that the major chain store wanted to charge me $6.00 for a small one pound bag. Then I changed my mind and decided to buy a large bag and use a coupon I have for 20% off my purchase. So, I lug the large bag up the counter and I'm told that I can't use the coupon for food. Sure enough, if I'd turned the coupon over, I would have seen that. In disgust, I walk out and drive to the other store. Immediately, the girl behind the counter greets me saying, "Is there anything I can help you with?" I stocked up on what I needed and handed her the coupon that I had for her store. I got my discount and recounted my episode at the other store.
That pretty much sealed the deal. That main chain store has pretty much guaranteed that I will NEVER shop there again. (I can't say for sure, because I can foresee that there may be a time where I need to get something from them in an emergency).
Here's to good customer service and the lengths we go to get it.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The End of An Era
Last Friday, June 27th, marked the end of an era. What era, you ask? Then obviously your homepage isn't set to msn.com or msnbc.com, as it was splashed all all over there late last week.
I'm referring to the retirement of Microsoft's Bill Gates. I wouldn't really consider myself a geek, even if I am one of the 10 types of people in the world that understand binary. (You techies will get the joke). I like Bill Gates. I'll admit I'm biased, because he put bread on my table and kept a roof over my head for several years when we lived down in Seattle. He was Microsoft's front-man and epitomized "geekdom". (Is that a real word?) Bill Gates and Microsoft: it's hard to imagine one without the other. He showed that "The Geeks will inherit the earth." I remember a very funny sketch from "The Royal Canadian Air Farce" where the Air Farce's character of Bill Gates claimed he was going to rename the US the "United Gates of America" and rename Mexico, "El Microsofto". He concluded his speech by yelling, "Geek Power!! Geek Power!!" It was priceless; I almost fell out of my chair laughing.
If you are interested at all in things "geeky" and "techy", I recommend you watch, "The Pirates of Silicon Valley" - a made-for-tv movie starring Anthony Michael Hall ("Sixteen Candles")as Bill Gates and Noah Wylie ("E.R.") as Apple's Steve Jobs. I also recommend "The Triumph of the Nerds," a documentary that tells a similar story.
Two years ago, Gates announced that he would eventually be leaving the company he founded in 1977 with friends Paul Allen and Steve Balmer. Bill, having conquered the technology world, now had his sights set on finding a cure for AIDS. Bill and his wife, Melinda, founded the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, which has been donating money for years to worthy causes: immunization, education, etc.
I admire anyone that makes it to the top and then gives back to the world. If Bill is as successful in finding a cure for AIDS and malaria as he has been with revolutionizing the way we use computers (they're not just for geeks anymore) he'll do very well. I wish him all the best. Good luck, Bill.
I'm referring to the retirement of Microsoft's Bill Gates. I wouldn't really consider myself a geek, even if I am one of the 10 types of people in the world that understand binary. (You techies will get the joke). I like Bill Gates. I'll admit I'm biased, because he put bread on my table and kept a roof over my head for several years when we lived down in Seattle. He was Microsoft's front-man and epitomized "geekdom". (Is that a real word?) Bill Gates and Microsoft: it's hard to imagine one without the other. He showed that "The Geeks will inherit the earth." I remember a very funny sketch from "The Royal Canadian Air Farce" where the Air Farce's character of Bill Gates claimed he was going to rename the US the "United Gates of America" and rename Mexico, "El Microsofto". He concluded his speech by yelling, "Geek Power!! Geek Power!!" It was priceless; I almost fell out of my chair laughing.
If you are interested at all in things "geeky" and "techy", I recommend you watch, "The Pirates of Silicon Valley" - a made-for-tv movie starring Anthony Michael Hall ("Sixteen Candles")as Bill Gates and Noah Wylie ("E.R.") as Apple's Steve Jobs. I also recommend "The Triumph of the Nerds," a documentary that tells a similar story.
Two years ago, Gates announced that he would eventually be leaving the company he founded in 1977 with friends Paul Allen and Steve Balmer. Bill, having conquered the technology world, now had his sights set on finding a cure for AIDS. Bill and his wife, Melinda, founded the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, which has been donating money for years to worthy causes: immunization, education, etc.
I admire anyone that makes it to the top and then gives back to the world. If Bill is as successful in finding a cure for AIDS and malaria as he has been with revolutionizing the way we use computers (they're not just for geeks anymore) he'll do very well. I wish him all the best. Good luck, Bill.
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