A True Salesman

Having spent the first 29 days of November doing nearly nothing, in true sales rep fashion, he caused quite a commotion on this the last day of the month.

Beckett Prakash Smith joined the family this morning at 5:45 am. He weighed in a 6 lbs 9 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long. Everything went as well as possible with the pregnancy with both baby and mother very happy and healthy.

We'll be heading home on Friday!

The not so magical website...

I'm a big fan of the email forward. I don't send many but I do love to receive them. If I'm not part of your group forward list, please add me to the fun.

Last week I received a unique email forward, the Psychic Mind Reader. At first I was amazed by it, "How could a website read my thoughts?" Then frustrated, "A website CAN'T read my thoughts."

Give it a try, you'll see what I mean.

Now after a few attempts with it, I was determined to crack the code. I quickly realized the rules of the "Psychic" prevented most of the numbers on the board from being chosen. In fact, only 9 numbers can be chosen; 81, 72, 63, 54, 45, 36, 27, 18 and 9. If you look at those numbers, they all have the same symbol. Now click the "try again" button. Look at those 9 number again. Still all the same symbol, but a different symbol from the previous try.

Websites aren't magical but math is.

These are the rules.

Last night, Vanita and I went to eat at one of Dallas' new hot spots to celebrate her 32nd birthday. Nobu had a great atmosphere and wonderful food which I guess justified the service. It wasn't bad service they just required each guest to follow a unique set of rules.

It started when I went to make reservations. Vanita had mentioned that reservations needed to be made several months in advance. I made my first call in mid September. Nobu informed me reservations couldn't be made more than 30 days prior to the requested date. So when October 12th arrived a made my second call. A message informed me that reservations were only taken between the hours of 10 and 5. On the 13th I tried again. This time someone answered.

"I would like to make a reservation on the 12th of November." I requested.

"Sir, we only take reservation between 10 and 5."

"I know, but it's only 5:10. Are you really too busy to take my reservation." I pleaded

"Sir, rules are rules. You'll have to try again between 10 and 5."

Finally on my 4th attempt I successfully made my reservation.

At the start of our meal we learned another interesting rule. We had just been served our first of several Sushi Rolls and Vanita was struggling with her chopsticks. I stopped our waiter and asked if we could have a fork. He leaned down real close to our table...

"Sir, I'm sorry but we can't provide you with a fork."

"Do you have forks?" I asked.

"Yes, but we don't let you use them."

"Then why do you have them?" Which seemed to be the next logical question.

"They are just for dessert."

In the end it actually added to the enjoyment of our meal. Watching Vanita attempt to poke, stab, squeeze and balance her food with chopsticks was more than worth the cost of the meal.

A bunch of Bull

Yesterday, with the NBA season now in full swing, I found myself in yet another heated debate about the greatest NBA teams of all time.

What is it about about Michael Jordan fans that makes them so unreasonable?

Let's keep in mind that all of this is debatable. There are no absolutes in this conversation. My co-worker seemed to think otherwise.

I'll give you (and the vast majority of fans would agree) that Michael Jordan is the greatest individual basketball player of all time. BUT, that doesn't mean he the best team player of all time. If I could have any player, from any time to start a team, Jordan would not be my first choice. I'd take him third.

Bull's Fans, Yes, I can hear you screaming.

Listen, it took Jordan 6 years before he could get the Bulls to the finals. Magic and Bird both got there in the first two years. Sure the Bulls won 6 titles with Jordan, but look at who they played. The team's of the 90's couldn't hold a candle to those in the 80's. Can you honestly compare (90's) Blazers, Suns, Supersonics and Jazz to (80's) Celtics, Lakers, Pistons and 76ers? It's not even close. Jordan had to wait for the great players to retire before he could win the big one.

Yes, I still hear you screaming.

So I posed the question. How many titles would the 90's Bulls won had they played in the 80's? Do you know what he said? "7" Are you crazy? Can you hear me screaming now? I know it's debatable, but honestly how can a reasonable person think that to be true.

I don't even want to get into Phil Jackson. Who couldn't have coached that team to win at that time?

Anyway, while we are on the subject of basketball. A few days ago, I stumbled across this great article by Paul Shirley. It's a pretty interesting take on how we view our favorite celebrities before meeting them. It's long but well worth the read. If you have time click here.

Elevator Speech: "Life Lesson"

Returning from an appointment today, I met an interesting fellow in the elevator. Let me set the stage a bit.

We have two separate elevator systems in our building. Two elevators are used only for the parking garage while another six are used for the twelve floors of office space. Occasionally, newcomers to the building get them confused.

So I'm on "P2" waiting for the elevator. The door opens and only 1 of the 2 people exit. I'm feeling a little "chatty" as I enter the elevator, so I ask "What's going on?" This guy was great! He was in his mid 40's, graying ponytail, with the odd combination of a delivery boy ball cap and a fully stocked tool belt, which was partially hidden by his "fuel tank". He answered with a "Not much." I fired right back at him "Well, why not?"

Now I had his attention. He struggled for an answer, "I guess I don't know." It's time to shoot him straight, "You got on the wrong elevator, didn't you?" He was a bit embarrassed but fessed up, "Yep." Just before the doors open to the lobby I tell him "Now you know."

From the lobby to his stop on 7, the "floor" was his. "You know what G.I. JOE says?" Uuhhh, No? "Knowing is half the battle." He is all smiles at this point "A buddy of mine says there is more than just Knowing and Doing there's a 3rd thing..." I was hanging on his every word. "You got to want to!" "All three things, Know it, Want it, Do it." That was it, the doors opened and he was gone.

I didn't have a chance to get a name or a number, but if your looking to book him as you next motivational speaker, just call directory assistance for the only sandwich delivering tool man in Irving, Texas.

Where's my camera?

Well it wasn't number 1 or 2 on the list but it certainly could be in the 3 spot.

On the way home, tonight in the car, Savanna had another "First." It wasn't quite like those first steps or first words. This "First" was totally unexpected. It wasn't months ahead.... it was YEARS ahead of schedule.

Following our standard routine, we were listening to some tunes on the CD player. I played each request she made. First was Float On followed by Mr. Brightside. Then she made a new request. I had been working with her to introduce a new band. "Dad, now play Bloc Party." I was pretty fired up about it and quickly selected my favorite tune.

Circle the date, November 2, 2005, at just 4 years, 2 months and 10 days Savanna says, "Dad, Look! I have a guitar." As I turn towards the back seat.... Savanna is rocking with her "First" Air Guitar. Proud parents we are.

The Dollar Headache

The blog is back.

Picture me in a bear suit. (stay with me) I'm on a unicycle. Add juggling. Now cue the circus music. That was me last Thursday preparing for a trip to Atlanta while keeping both my bosses happy (the one at work AND the one at home).

You see, Vanita didn't want me away from home two consecutive nights even though I had 10am meetings both Tuesday and Wednesday. My compromise? Take the red eye flight Monday, thus giving ample time (in my mind) to spend at home with the family before leaving.

All seemed well and good until I went online to add a hotel room. My favorite place to stay, Doubletree Guest Suites, was booked full. My usual back up, Hampton Inn, only had rooms available one of two nights. My final request for any hotel was answered with three options. I selected a Holiday Inn not too far from the office.

Next it was on to the car rental. With each request absolutely nothing was available. No compact, not sporty, nor luxury. Alright, what is up? I call our corporate travel agent. Turns out the combination of Wilma running everyone out of Florida and NASCAR being in town had Atlanta booked full. Luckily the agent was able to get me a midsized car from Dollar Rent A Car.

I'm not one to second guess things. What's done is done. But something about arriving into a fully booked city after midnight had me concerned. So 3 hours prior to my flight I made a few calls. First, Holiday Inn. "Of course, we will have a room for you." How silly of me to ask. Now, Dollar. "Of course, we have a car for you at 12 noon." "Hold on." I knew it. "My reservation is for 12 midnight." To make a long conversation short. They didn't have any cars available at midnight but were going to try and have one available for me when I arrived.

I know what you are thinking. But let me tell you.... as sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, my reservation was for midnight. I have 2 forms of proof.

Ok, I knew I had to remain calm if I was to stand any chance of getting a car from Dollar. Once in Atlanta, I take a short shuttle ride to the rental site and entered the lobby with high hopes. The hopes were quickly dashed away by Mrs. Indifference. I requested politely to speak with her manager. Mrs. Apathy suggested "I take the shuttle back to the airport and grab a cab to my hotel." I requested Dollar pay for my cab. They declined and I decided to hold my ground.

They went into quick internal conference and out comes this guy "Rick". "Let me see what I can do" he says. As he starts pecking away at the keyboard, around the corner comes Mrs. Indifference. "Rick! MY customers better have cars when they get here." I lost it. "What am I? Am I a customer?" she apparently didn't think so responding with "Sir! your reservation is at 12 noon." This was her last chance, "Is it possible your system is wrong." She answered with "Never."

To this ridiculous answer I offered a trophy as a prize and instructed her on a nice warm place where it should be stowed. It was over. I had Hertz on the phone before security could get to me. Hertz did a great job. They had a few cancels and were able to get me into a car for a few days.

DON'T RENT FROM DOLLAR.