November 01, 2005
Bauhaus Boo!
When you hit your thirties, a lot happens. Lots of milestones. I met Dave's sister yesterday, and she was remarkable. Every bit the strong, witty, warm woman I was hoping she'd be. The kind of woman you'd want as your sister, mentor and friend. And what was even greater was that I could relate to her as a person, and not just as "Dave's Sister." We bonded first over omlettes at Pauline's. If you haven't been there yet, get the hell off your tush and go. The best coffee in Edgewater. And, if there's a wait, the owner comes out with cups of freshly squeezed orange juice, apologies and jokes for everyone. After that, we headed up to Evanston to drop Jennifer off at an appointment. Alas, she was an hour early. I suggested we hit the Domicile Outlet, a trip I had on my list for the past two years. Ever resourceful, Jennifer called and got the address and we were on our way. The storefront is tiny and set back off the street, but the first thing we saw was a beautiful, stitched leather chair. It winked, I sat. Then I got the feeling that there was something inside calling me. Apparently it was calling Jennifer too, as she scampered through the door ahead of me. Damn that woman! She charged right, I charged left, poor Dave was left shaking his head. As I had already disappeared, he went to find his sister. The third couch I saw sang my name. Structured yet soft, minimalist yet inviting, it was everything I envisioned. A warm neutral microsuede, dark wood trim with no overly decorative ornateness, just simple, carved curves. Pillows that sink in just enough to snuggle you without swallowing you. I was astounded. I ran off to find Dave and Jennifer. Dave was lost, probably lusting over some leather chair, Jennifer was looking forlorn. She had found the couch she already owned, but not the matching loveseat she was seeking. We went over to look at the couch. I sympathized the missed match. As we turned around, I heard a sharp gasp. Right in front of us was the matching loveseat. On sale. Now, how many women hop up and down in front of a piece of furniture? Not many, and in that instant, I knew I loved Jennifer as much as I love any of my dearest friends. We were cut of the same fabric. Dave, drawn by the excited, high-pitched giggles, came over to inspect and revive us in case of hyperventilation. He was happy that Jennifer had managed a $600 purchase. He was not aware of my own impending $1200 purchase. Dave and I went over to take one more look at the microsuede beauty. I plopped down once again to show that it was domesticated. He sat down next to me, and wouldn't you know it, the plump cushions, I swear, nudged him even closer to me. I was sold. Cut to chase, I purchased it, and it was delivered today.
p.s. The movers just came by with the beautiful bauhaus. The chaise came first, and I was almost in tears seeing it in my living room. They scurried downstairs to fetch the couch before I completely broke down and forgot to tip them. A few minutes later, a knock at the door. It was a three-foot high skeleton holding a plastic pumpkin. I jumped at least two feet in the air, and the costumed kid was reduced to giggles. As were the janitor, the kid's dad, and my two movers behind him. It's Halloween, and I'd forgotten for the moment, that I'd volunteered to hand out candy. After he stopped laughing, and while I was shoveling two handfuls of candy into his trick-or-treat stash to cover up my embarassment, he said, "Hey, your place smells good!" I was trying a new roasted pumpkin soup recipe and my whole apartment smelled of pumpkin, bacon and onion. A warm, fall smell. What kid is going to be distracted from free chocolate by a savory smell? I tell you, that seven-year-old kid's going to be some gourmand when he grows up.
Posted by carolyn at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2005
Poker Night in Elgin
Spent five hours Saturday night learning poker the hard way, i.e. playing for money. Not too bad. Buy-in was only $10, and most of our antes were only a nickel. At our table at least. One table over you could hear cries of, "A dollar? Big spender!"
The currency conversion that happens in poker is fascinating. The actual value of a US dollar increases significantly when tied to a black chip. A single dollar becomes 100 pennies buoyed by a big dose of bravado and bullshit. It would seem that bullshit carries infinitely more value in poker than it does in real life. At the table, a bluffer is respected and awed. "I can't believe you won that with a seven high." Players who folded cluck and shake their heads in disbelief. Yet you take this same talent in the boardroom, "We expect to beat expectations by 82% in the third quarter," and executives snicker and dismiss such blatant claims. There's just no bluffing a corporate competitor.
At the table, everything seems exponentially funnier. It must have something to do with equality and social space. Everyone starts off on equal footing. Identical antes, identical buy-ins, and the same number of cards each. The dealer rotates from one player to the next. It's the great equalizer. Your ability to win does not depend on how big you are or who you know, but on what cards get dealt. Players are seated close enough to trade witty reparte, but far enough apart to prevent chip snaking.
One of the players seated at our table, Michael, kept winning hands with a dependable pair of queens. Oh, how he loved his queens. This of course led to much jeering, jiving, and even the creation of a new game in his name. In the poker variation dubbed 'Michael', "Queens are wild and there ain't no straights." Hobie had us on the floor with that one.
Other, more familiar games were Screw Your Neighbor, Little Kings, Night Baseball, Iron Cross and the ever dependable five and seven card stud. By the end of the night, my shuffle had deteriorated and my eyes were blurry, even though I only had three beers over the course of five hours. It was sheer poker exhaustion. And through all the laughs and curses, I managed to come out six bucks ahead. Not bad for a novice.
Posted by carolyn at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2005
Sushi-licious
One of the great things about dieting is that I can allow myself as much low fat, high protein sushi as I want. For lunch today, I picked up a godzilla roll over at the Tokyo Lunchbox in Merchandise Mart. It is an enticingly yummy concoction, with eel, avocado, tobiko and spicy sauce squirted all over the place. Tokyo Lunchbox used to be a weekly treat for myself when I worked downtown, and it was heartbreaking when I took the new job. I thought I would never again enjoy the $7.99 godzilla roll ($8.61 with tax, thus the once-a-week limit). When I found out they opened a kiosk at the Mart, a mere six blocks away from my new job, I was giddy!
The one weird thing about sushi that I still can't figure out is the sushi grass. It is so ubiquitous, in fact, I think it's going to be the next pop culture icon. I knew someone who knew someone who wallpapered his corporate cube in sushi grass. What an excellent idea.
Posted by carolyn at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2005
Losing Poundage
Alright, so the five-mile Turkey Trot is in seven weeks, and I am ten pounds above my usual weight. This is horrible! Add that to my monthly bout of insecurity and I am a mess.
Ten pounds. It's really frightening, but for good reason. Once in my life, my 5'5" body topped 171 lbs. It never really mattered to me, I was secure in myself back then. I was confident in my abilities and pretty much okay with how I looked. I never had issues attracting men, so the extra weight never bothered me too much. It wasn't until my parents said, at Christmas breakfast, "You can't lose that weight, you're too old."
At that point, it became a challenge. I joined Weight Watchers and started training for the AIDSRide. I dropped 30 pounds in seven months. It changed my life. I felt healthier, fit into jeans two sizes smaller than before, and was not embarassed squeezing my body parts into lycra gym wear.
The catch is, I'm more insecure. There is guilt associated with eating that was never there before. I constantly check nutrition labels and watch caloric, fat and fiber intake. I try to run 10 miles a week and hit the gym on an almost daily basis. And I feel guilty and fat if I don't. It's sad, the change in my attitude and self confidence.
Also, being ten pounds heavier than my normal weight is somewhat traumatizing because it seems like a gateway to my heavier self. But awareness is good, and at least I know that once I acknowledge and dedicate myself to losing weight, I can. So it's back to journaling everything that goes into my body. Back to counting points and treating my body as though it were a task to be completed.
Weight: 150.6 lbs
Body Fat: 25.6%
Posted by carolyn at 10:53 AM | Comments (0)
October 06, 2005
Dedicated Art System
So I've been reading about this new trend toward interactive, electronic art. In its most accessible form, it's probably this $125 DVD you pop into a player and display on a flat-screen plasma TV. Click your remote and the piece morphs in response.
I don't get how this is any different than a stupified video game with no objective. You pop in a cartridge, something appears on the monitor, you click around and the environment responds to your actions. It would seem to me that if we are to consider the DVD as "art," then video games should also be considered art. Which is somewhat preposterous. Entertainment, yes. Art, not so much.
The question I have is how much of this "art" is defined by marketing spin? I could take that same DVD, sell it in a baby goods store, and call it a developmental toy. I could synchronize it to music and call it eye candy. I could leave it be and call it a screensaver. But calling it "art" seems a bit of a stretch to me.
A bit pulled from the NYT:
"Between the Rees pieces is a large framed print, "Black and White (Old Testament)" by Mark Napier, that looks like an abstract ink drawing suggestive of wildly uncoiled spools of wire, but is actually, Mr. Sacks said, every word of the Bible converted into the digital language of ones and zeros."
Since when did translating something into binary code become "art"? If this is the case, then I should dig up all my sixth grade homework and sell it on eBay.
What happened to brushstrokes, light sources and one-of-a-kind masterpieces? Is art getting distorted or destroyed?
Disclaimer: Of course, this is just opinion. I am well aware that art is in the eye of the beholder.
Posted by carolyn at 10:00 AM | Comments (1)
September 26, 2005
The Devolution of Thought
The whole Darwin v.s. God matter is kicking again, as a federal court in Harrisburg, PA begins hearings on whether or not the Dover school district (a tiny rural community of 22,000) should be allowed to teach "intelligent design." The ID theory surmises that living organisms are so complex that they must have been created by something more complex, i.e., by a higher being.
Last October, the Dover School District voted to have teachers present alternative explanations to evolution, the ID theory included. Unfortunately, this ticked off some parents, who believe that ID is a "Trojan horse" for introducing religion in schools. Keep in mind, in 1987, the Supreme Court ruled that Creationism has no place in schools because the theory is based on religion.
Now to me, education is about teaching people how to think, not what to think. We need to teach kids to evaluate different philosophies and come to conclusions on their own. I've met so many people who groupthink with the majority, and who view any counterthought as an unfounded threat. It is a horrendous devolution of intellectualism.
Ideas to the contrary should not be seen as threats. If evolutionism is so sound and logical, and if indeed evolutionism is fact, then it should hold up to any challenges presented by the theory of intelligent design. Further, advocates of a particular mode of thinking should seek challenges, because as each challenge is disproved, the defending theory gains strength.
In schools, we should seek to present as many approaches to a single problem as feasible and walk students through critical analysis and objective reasoning. By only presenting students with a single line of thought, we are stunting their ability to reason.
The battle should be fought in the minds of individuals, not in the courts.
More readings:
"A Web of Faith, Law and Science in Evolution Suit." NYT, 9.26.05
Legal Docs and such produced by the NCSE
Posted by carolyn at 10:16 AM | Comments (2)
September 20, 2005
Yo yo yoga
Alright, so I caved and got the $99/month membership to the Lakeshore Athletic Club. There was a $150 join fee, but they donated half of it to the Red Cross and gave me two one-hour massage gift certificates. So it was easy to justify the join fee. The monthly fee will be a little harder to swallow, but hey, you get free bagels, fruit and coffee in the morning.
Last night I opted to take the vinyasa yoga class. It's been awhile and I can feel the protest of tight muscles. The instructor is a wiry little man, kind of like an elf with a runner's build. In fact, he might be an elf. He might've been hiding his pointy ears under that white bandana he was wearing. He might've been a magic elf!
Anyway, it was a good class. In the beginning, he had us each think of our intentions. I thought this was odd at first, but he explained further that our intention could be physical or spiritual. It could be to increase flexibility or to find inner peace. Also, instead of running us through the standard, repetitive sun salutations, he tweaked the end of each vinyasa. As a result, my mind didn't lose consciousness of my body. That's a good thing. We also did a funky angled shoulder stand that entailed sticking a block under our saccrum, length-way, and getting our feet up in the air. The pressure of the block on my lower back felt great, and doing the counter plow position afterward was wonderful. Woke up this morning and didn't feel the normal stiffness (don't go there) I usually do.
Good times. Today, I'll try out their kickboxing class.
Posted by carolyn at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2005
Conscious Little Rock
So I'm in the midst of Tom Wolfe's new(ish) book, I Am Charlotte Simmons. It doesn't read like a classic, as Bonfire of the Vanities did, but signature Wolfe style, there are moments of intellectual hilarity. For example, there's a scene where Charlotte is in some class discussing Darwin and evolution. The question is whether or not we self-define our own existence. Says Wolfe's professor:
"I'll just tell you what one very interesting young neuroscientist e-mailed me last week. She said, 'Let's say you pick up a rock and you throw it. And in mid-flight you give that rock consciousness and a rational mind. That little rock will think it has free will and will give you a highly rational account of why it has decided to take the route it's taking.' So later on we will get to 'the conscious little rock,' and you will be able to decide for yourself: 'Am I really...merely...a conscious little rock?'"
I read this as I was sitting at the bus stop on the way to work. That one paragraph put such a grin on my face that when I looked up, some guy smiled back at me and winked. He must've been reading the same book.
Posted by carolyn at 10:21 AM | Comments (1)
August 26, 2005
It's quittin' time!
Soooo...this is my very last post ever using my Orbitz laptop. Feels good. :) My plant is all packed up, my bills are all paid and everything feels aligned.
Many goodies in the mail also. Loyola sent an invite to a Caravaggio art exhibit premiering at the school's museum. I suspect it's because I donated this year. Either way, it means I get to see Mr. Clauson in a suit. Yums. I also got an invitation from Marlboro to ride around on a racetrack with an instructor. A four-hour racing class. I called the number, read all the fineprint, and there doesn't seem like there's any catch, so we'll see what happens! It could just be a promotional event targeted at a particular Midwest demographic, and sure I'll tell them I smoke if it gets me on a track.
Anyway, Dave should be here soon, so time to sign out. We're going straight over to ShareASale to drop off my plant. :)
Posted by carolyn at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2005
A Good Life
Went to a wake last night. A work acquaintance from back in my MyPoints days lost his wife to ovarian cancer. I've been to about as many funerals as weddings, which is not a good statistic to have at my age. Right up until I got to the funeral home, it was cake. Then I started thinking about what it would be like to be 35 years old, happily married, with two beautiful kids...only to find out that that I had ovarian cancer. That's when I started getting a little shaky. By the time I pulled into the parking lot, I wasn't sure what would happen when I got inside. Got out of the car, crossed the street and met up with Jeff. When we went inside, I was blown away! There were about 150 people, and the noise level was what you might find in a popular restaurant on a Friday night. The mood was was all over the place, you had clusters of people laughing as they reconnected and shared stories, other folks were crying, but regardless of what they were doing, they were being emotional. Mary's life clearly affected many people. I sure hope I have that same effect on people around me.
Posted by carolyn at 01:37 PM | Comments (1)
August 24, 2005
The Millenium Falcon and Phi
It was the very last Movie in the Park of the season, and it was Star Wars. Yes, the first one. Or rather, the fourth episode. The one with a young Obi-Wan and the way spiffy Millenium Falcon. Met Michelle at Grant Park at 4pm and snagged great seating. Laid out a huge blue tarp and blanket, and got ready to chill for four hours. By 5:30p, the park was packed. Two of my business associates from out of town dropped by and were just amazed by the sheer mass of people. I was glad to introduce them to one of Chicago's best offerings, and the casual event facilitates relationship building. They hung around for a couple hours, enough time for some good conversation.
And here comes the dork...
It's possible that the Millenium Falcon's deck adheres to the golden ratio. If you've read DaVinci Code, you'll know of phi. I was so taken by the idea, I actually went and bought a mathematics book to better understand the concept. Basically, phi is 1.618, and this ratio is exhibited all over nature. It's reflected in the layout of apple seeds in an apple core, in the spirals of a nautilus shell, in the petals of a rose, etc. It is also captured by artists like Salvador Dali, because it is believed to have esthetic perfection. The following is excerpted from Mario Livio's The Golden Ratio:
"...in Salvador Dali's painting from 1955, 'Sacrament of the Last Supper', the dimensions of the painting (approximately 105.5 x 65.75) are in a golden ratio to each other. Perhaps even more important, part of a huge dodecahedron (a twelve-faced regular solid in which each side is a pentagon) is seen floating above the table and engulfing it."
A dodecahedron, or a twelve-faced solid object in which each face is a pentagon, adheres to the golden ratio as well. My theory, and I need to look more into this, is that the windows of the deck on the Millenium Falcon are proportionate to phi. Anyone know where I can find specs? Just curious...
Anyway, better go before the nerd fully emerges from the closet...
Posted by carolyn at 12:08 PM | Comments (2)
August 16, 2005
Stock Picking
Alright, I was stupid and got smacked by a $40 fee because I didn't make any trades last quarter. Last time that's going to happen. I was swamped with work-related issues, so didn't do any research. Since I had no market knowledge, felt stupid making a trade. Which is even more ridiculous, because it probably cost me MORE money not to trade than it would have if I had just picked some random stock to invest in.
Even with the MBA, I haven't really subscribed to any portfolio theory. I am somewhat diversified, but not invested heavily enough for any portfolio management philosophy to apply. I should probably change that. My itty bitty portfolio has gone up 35% over the past year, mostly carried by one stock in the energy sector. That was a good tip on Cameco, or CCJ. As oil prices keep going up, people will start looking for alternative means of fuel. Cameco is a uranium producer.
So CCJ shot up a few months after I added it to my portfolio. If you factor that one out, then I'm only up about 12%. Damn you, Jet Blue. I know it's stupid, I know better than to hold an airline. But the appeal of owning just a wee bit (fewer than 20 shares, no biggie) is just fun. Plus, me being the optimist, I think JBLU still has wings in it. Just may not see any profit until oil prices go down.
Anyway, I should throw some more money into the market. Anyone got any ideas?
Posted by carolyn at 11:22 AM | Comments (2)
August 14, 2005
Starbuuuucks!!!
It's so strange how technology has pervaded every little bit of our lives.
I had lunch with Kevin today on Argyle street. Fantastic Vietnamese pho, which is absolutely impossible to make on your own, but served in less than five minutes at a proper Vietnamese restaurant. We hit a couple of grocery stores after that, Kev was looking for mangos, I was looking for ginger. Kev is a friend from CollectiblesToday, my former job, in love with a Chinese-Thai woman who is in the States earning her MBA, but who has retained her sense of self, her sense of culture. (She persists in mocking him though.)
*First phone call*
Kevin: I'm in Starbucks, do you want anything?
Nah: What?
Kevin: I'M IN STARBUCKS, DO YOU WANT ANYTHING?
Nah: What?
Kevin: I'M IN STARBUUUUCKS!!!!
Nah: I can't hear you, just meet us back here!
*click*
*dial tone*
Kevin: I'M IN STARBUUUUUCKKSSSS!!!!
Kevin shows up at the meeting point 20 minutes later, Nah's first question, "Why didn't you get me anything?"
Cell phone reception was so bad, Kevin was in the doghouse even before he had a chance to buy a new phone. "Can you hear me now?" Whatever.
Posted by carolyn at 09:19 PM | Comments (0)
August 12, 2005
Trendy Rogue
Stopped at H&M on my way to the alumni board meeting last night. Don't know what drew me in there as it's usually too trendy for me, but I think it must have been the siren call of my new $35 gray denim jacket. Metal buttons, nipped at the waist. Love it. Just putting it on makes me feel more urban, more edgy. Paired with my Sevens and nifty Diesel sunglasses, I feel quite hip! Additionally, even though the jacket is clearly outside my fashion comfort zone, I know it works because it passed The Test. Every morning, I cross the street to get to the bus stop. In doing so, I pass a construction site. The construction guys are too polite to whistle or hoot, which is much appreciated. But they still look, and if they approve, one of the guys will walk out into the street and stop traffic to let me pass. It's a good test. If the construction guys don't approve, then it could add five minutes to my commute time.
Man, this jacket is inspiring all sorts of great ideas. I think I'm going to order one of those personalized necklaces that spell your name in script. But...I think I'm going to have it say "Rogue." Luck of luck, it's fate. Limonges has a 10% off coupon code good through the end of August: AFC805
Yoink!
Posted by carolyn at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2005
One of those days...
Woke up this morning in a foul mood. Don't know why, just one of those days where any little sound sets me off. Distracted myself for about a half hour putting together fruit tarts for Ravinia this evening. But that was just setting myself up again, because all that perfect arranging was sure to slip in transit.
And it did, ah well. I picked up an ice pack at the dollar store near work to hopefully ease the slippage for the next leg of travel.
Just got back from lunch with Manish at Tokyo Lunchbox. This tiny hole in the wall on Van Buren and Wells has been a lifesaver for me. Sushi just tends to put me in a smiley mood. Maybe it's the color, maybe it's the word "tekka maki," who knows. I caved and had a dragon roll. Mmmm, eel, avocado, spicy sauce and fish eggs. Whoever took those ingredients and combined them together was a genius. Who knew they'd work? I bet someone did it on a dare.
Supposed to have a one-on-one with the CEO in about an hour. Never thought I'd make this much of an impression in 10 months. At least it's nice to know that I made a difference.
Posted by carolyn at 09:05 AM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2005
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Write like no one's watching...
Falling in love is such a strange trip. It always seems to start with this *wham* sense of chemistry, but you never really know if it's "one night stand chemistry" or "long-term relationship chemistry." More often than not, it turns out to be a one-nighter followed by a few half-hearted, obligatory dinner dates to save face. Other times, a friendship grows into love. Rarer still -- two people meet, fall in love and feel like they've been together forever. They go right from first date straight to the rhythm of two. She finishes his sentences (he thinks it's interrupting, she says it's collaboration); he reads her moods; and they both find that sharing personal space and personal time feels more like a treat than an inconvenience.
Just thinking about seeing Dave in just a few hours makes me happy. It doesn't really matter what we're doing (tonight it's the gym and dinner), but the fact we're doing something together. I love knowing that its my hand he's holding, that I'm the one who laughs at his jokes, and that I'm the one that he loves despite all flaws and nuances. I love knowing that how I feel is reciprocated. Even before either of us said so, I think we both knew we were in a happy place.
There's a line from "When Harry Met Sally" that kind of resonates. It's the bit at the very end, when Harry says to Sally, "when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of the life to start as soon as possible."
Posted by carolyn at 01:22 PM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2005
Saucy Tarts at Sur La Table
Cashed in on a Christmas present today! Last year, Brady gifted me a certificate for a cooking class at Sur La Table, one of my favorite stores ever. (Though usually I'm browsing, not buying.) I stashed the certificate away so that I could savor the potential for as long as possible. Finally, in June, I couldn't take it any longer. I pulled out the catalog and started cruising for classes. When I saw a listing for Summer Tarts, I knew that was the one. I am a huge fan of tarts...sweet, fruity noshes; savory, saucy quiches...Mmmm! Basically, put a pastry crust around some kind of filling and I'm a very happy camper. Our chef was Kathy Skutecki, a casualty of the ailing economy. Kathy was laid off from her advertising agency job two years ago. According to her, that was the boot she needed to make the career change. Good move, definitely. Kathy is confident, passionate, encouraging and patient. Her love of fresh fruits and farmer's markets comes across clearly. We have organic peaches and sour cherries, beautiful berries and creamy cheeses. She even apologizes for a slightly bruised peach. You know that she selected each of our ingredients personally.
For the first 45 minutes of the class, Kathy demonstrates how to make a sour cherry tart. As she kneads away, she describes the different types of dough used for different types of tarts. Pate sucree is light and crisp. Its higher sugar content makes it sturdier and great for free form crusts like those used in galettes. Pate sablee is a rich and crumbly crust, similar to the texture of a cookie. With it's high butter content, the dough is creamy and can be pressed into pans. We made some incredible dessert tarts with the latter, filled with vanilla pastry cream and topped with fresh fruits. My first attempt incorporated thin slices of kiwi, mandarin oranges (drained from the can!) and a single, perfect raspberry. I had no idea that something so beautifully edible could be created by my own fingers! It took effort to cut into it...but that first bite was the only challenge, all subsequent bites were heaven.
After Kathy's demonstration, we each went to a different station. Brady and I opted for the peach galette, because we had both experimented with savory tarts and I had been looking to rediscover freeform tarts. I lived in a co-op during my last year of college. This meant we all chipped in on chores, and a communal budget went toward groceries and utilities. Unfortunately, someone had erred in their calculations, so for one sad week, all that we had in the kitchen were stables and a bushel of pears donated by someone else's grandma. In a moment of inspired desperation, I threw together flour, eggs, sugar and pears, and out came the most delectable pear tart. Starving, deprived coeds came from all corners of the house and I was a minor celebrity for about a week. Luckily, we had enough flour and pears to last us till the next grocery run. The crust we made today still wasn't exactly the same, but I think tweaking the amount of butter is the missing link. Shouldn't take too many more tries to recapture my collegiate crust.
While we were slicing peaches for the galette, the station next to us was sauteeing leeks. Oh my God, the aroma. I peeked at their recipe, and indeed, there were absolutely no spices called for other than salt and pepper. So that amazing, warm, lung-filling scent, so fresh that my forearms tingled, that was the simple chemistry of leeks sauteed in butter. You can bet I kept an eye on that table.
Due to the nature of tarts, we worked our way backward on the tasting menu, from sweet to savory. I saved the leek and gruyere tart for my last bite and it tasted as full as it smelled. Got home, made another midnight run to the grocery store, and picked up the ingredients so that I can make it again for a potluck dinner tomorrow. Excellent.
AH! And another dream realized today! With the cooking class, we got a 10% discount on any purchases. As luck would have it, the Riedel wine glasses I have coveted for many years were 20% off! I picked up four viognier chardonnay glasses for $8 each! When I got them home, I spent a good five minutes pinging the side of one of them listening to the pure tone echo off the crystal. Lovely lovely lovely!
Posted by carolyn at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2005
Airbus Boo Boo
Still laughing here...
***
Admitted "Poor Taste": In a speech before about 200 airline industry officials on Friday at the Capital Hilton, Colin Stuart, Airbus's vice president of marketing, surprised -- and offended -- several of the attendees when he compared the new Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet to his wife.
"Larger bellies, greater noise reductions, increased payload -- it actually reminds me of my wife," he joked.
Stuart also made reference to his wife in discussing the many late design suggestions airline executives put forward for the 555-seat aircraft. "It was like my wife when she was having our new kitchen designed. Once it was completed, she wanted something more," he said. "They always want more."
During the question-and-answer period, a female reporter asked about the impact of the new jumbo jet on airfares, especially in the age of high fuel prices. "Good to see you're not home in the kitchen," Stuart quipped before answering.
Said one attendee: "He made Larry Summers look politically correct."
Yesterday, Stuart called BizClass to issue an apology. "It was in very poor taste, and I would like to withdraw the statements. I didn't think them through," he said.
Posted by carolyn at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
Runner's Denial
It is past midnight and I am looking forelornly at the big toe on my right foot. Well, the toenail rather. A few months ago, when I was a non-runner training for the Corporate Challenge, I took my first long run and pushed through some soreness in my big toes. Within 20 minutes, I learned that I would need to start cutting my toenails shorter. There was no way the toebox of my Nike boings were going to show any mercy. (Just learned these were the first Nike shox designed specifically for women.) I remember when I peeled off my socks that day, I looked down and my right toenail was black. That weekend, I went and got a pedicure. "You're working too hard," the manicurist said. I took that as a compliment, and blissfully watched her apply a darker red over my darkened toenail. Two more pedicures later and the darkness turned bright green. I'm talking algae green. Which was fine by me, as this color was more conducive to being hid by the lighter, more trendy pink polishes ever-so-fashionable during the summer. But alas, two months later, I can no longer deny the fact that I have sacrificed by right big toe toenail to the sport of running. I finally pulled out the Complete Book of Running and read with horror that I can expect to lose my toenail. That I should have been applying anti-fungal whatever and bandaids. Now let me tell you, my poor feet have seen everything. For five years, they were shoved into toe shoes and forced to look dainty while supporting a hundred-some pounds of ballerina. Then, they were put through sprints and quick jumps for tennis. The hard soles of biking and hiking shoes. Athletics aside, pointy-toed stilettos, ferchrissakes! And yet, I have never before witnessed such a sad sight as my little runner's toe. About a half hour ago, I flip-flopped my way over to the 24-hour grocery store to purchase an anti-fungal. It took me a good 20 minutes to decide on the one that had a brush applicator. The only reason I chose it was because there was only one left...all the other runners in my neighborhood must've purchased the remainder just minutes before my arrival. Back at home, I read the instructions word for word. I did a search on "black toenail." How depressing. Don't do this unless you have a fetish.
Luckily, I came across a newsletter that mentioned a euphemism, "runner's toe." Now that certainly sounds more comforting. Although the end result is still the same. No matter what I do, that toenail is a goner. I sat cross-legged on the floor and peeled the shrinkwrap off the anti-fungal stuff. Twisted the cap off. Shore'nuff, there's a brush attached to the cap that looks like my pink nail polish applicator. Now how hard can this be? I brace myself. Gingerly I reach the applicator out and dab at the top of my toe. To my huge surprise, I slip a little and the brush goes UNDER my toenail! I have no idea how to react!
A) The anti-fungal crap is going where it needs to go...but,
B) My toenail must be in the process of falling off!
This is terrible. My only redeeming hope is that underneath the edge of blackness is a ridge of new growth. But these traumatizing articles say that it'll take three to six months before that lovely new growth takes over! One article suggested, and I'm not kidding, that you plaster the nail bed over and paint the plaster with red nail polish. Horror! That would be like getting a boob job for a funeral!
Well, not much else I can do about it tonight. I think I'm going to sulk a little more over my impending loss and make sure to put the anti-fungal stuff next to my toothbrush so I don't forget to re-apply in the morning.
Posted by carolyn at 12:25 AM | Comments (2)
August 01, 2005
Muffin Tops
More about those ultra low cut jeans. Maybe I should quit the crunches and just go buy a new pair of Diesels?
Posted by carolyn at 02:54 PM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2005
Gotta Love Flight Attendants
Emailed to me today:
***
All too rarely, airline attendants make an effort to make the in flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
1. On a Southwest flight (SW has no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
2. On a Continental Flight with a very "senior" flight attendant
crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."
3. On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have.
4. "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane"
5. "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you
enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
6. As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Ronald Reagan, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"
7. After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in
Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced,
"Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."
8. From a Southwest Airlines employee: "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight 245 to Tampa.. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt! And, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised."
9. "In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will
descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite."
10. "Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."
11. "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the
event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
12. "As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your
belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."
13. And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta Airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
14. Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City the flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump, and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."
15. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
16. Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect
landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."
17. An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had
hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the Passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline." He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Why, no, Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land, or were we shot down?"
18. After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the attendant
came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."
19. Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting! through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of US Airways."
20. Heard on a Southwest Airline flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing and if you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."
21. A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, nonstop from New York to Los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOD!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!" A passenger in Coach
yelled, "That's nothing. You should see the back of mine!"
Posted by carolyn at 12:43 PM | Comments (0)
June 03, 2005
Genes, Sex and Fruit Flies
Read an article in this morning's paper, apparently Austrian researchers have discovered that there is a gene that can be manipulated to influence sexual preference. They took the male variant of this gene and stuck it in a female fruit fly. The female fruit fly then "acted exactly like males in courtship, madly pursuing other females." Ditto for the male fruit flies. They went after their own gender too.
Overall, this implies that homosexuality is genetic. Big step in the nature v.s. nuture debate. However, perhaps of even greater consequence, is that we can influence behavior with genetic manipulation! What do we know so far...it should be possible in the future to counter genetic diseases by manipulating the misfire. But that's a disease, not a preference or a behavior. And it's more prevention than decision. Exterminating a disease has the potential for saving a life. Exterminating a behavior accomplishes what?
Of what real impact is it to control someone's sexual preference, or heck, for that matter, sense of humor or taste in food? Such behavioral ticks define individuality and character. Why change them?
Posted by carolyn at 09:31 AM | Comments (1)
May 27, 2005
Chase Corporate Challenge
After work yesterday, headed over to Grant Park with 90 other of my colleagues to participate in a 3.5-mile run. It was pretty incredible, 15,000 people all gathered after work on a Thursday to participate in the Chase Corporate Challenge. A few folks opted for the competitive start, Sandra and I were probably in the middle of the pack. It was the perfect evening to run, no wind, mid-60s, blue sky. That was the result of a 50% chance of rain forecast! According to the race clock, I ran the course in 39:44, so I hit my goal of finishing in under 45:00. Hey, don't laugh. I never ran before and I hated running until I started training for this event. Unfortunately, now I'm hooked. There were so many people though, you basically walked for five minutes out of the gate. So I think I did just under 3.5 miles in about 36 minutes. Which makes me very happy. :) So different running in a mess of people. Don't really notice distance because you're just weaving around people trying to find your pace. I missed the 2 mile marker, so it was also a surprise to see the 3 mile marker. I kept trying to gauge distance off my watch, but since I didn't have my pace, it was tough. By the end of the course, I still had enough mojo in me for two sprints. One to catch up to one of our guys and shove him, and one to close it out under 40:00. So okay. Next run, five miles. Mike suggested the Nike's Run Hit Wonder. I'm in. Can't believe I went from despising running to loving it.
Posted by carolyn at 09:14 AM | Comments (1)
May 23, 2005
For Mom
Some sentiments, said once, live forever.
***
Hi Mom,
Don't know when you're leaving for Hong Kong, but didn't want to you go without knowing how much I love you with all my heart, spirit and soul; and that I am always with you even if I am not physically right next to you. A mother and a daughter share the same breath, no matter where life takes us.
You are probably sitting on the plane now, or in a car on your way home, but even so my strength is your strength, regardless of how far apart we are.
I thought today what it would be like if you were gone from my life. Of course its hard for me to fathom. But like I said before, it would only be your physical self. As cliche as it sounds, I really believe that souls live on. Only Popo's body is gone, and she's probably thankful for it, as her being always extended beyond her physical form. Remember her bobby pins? Remember her skill with the abacus?
Popo and I were always very different, but the way I paint my nails and occasionally give in to the girlie side of me, likely comes from her. She taught me how to file my nails and wear a chaum sung, but she also taught me how to crochet and play mah jong. She was (is) a very strong, proud woman, and I see that in all her children, but you especially. And you passed that quality along to me.
You and I are more alike than me and Popo. From you, I have an unexplainable draw to music and art, even though I am horrific at producing either. From you, I have the curiosity to try anything at least once. You say that bungee jumping is reckless, but I say that bellydancing is bizarre. There is no explaining what draws us to the unexpected, but we both tend to explore our passions despite what anyone else thinks. And we're both fortunate enough to be naturally gifted that we never look like fools. Rather, we inspire others to take on what we've sampled.
I love you so much for shaping me into the person I am today. With values, compassion and self-respect intact. You are my mother, and I am the embodiment of your best qualties.
And I say to you what you would say to me, "Be strong for your family." The one thing that you are that I never will be is the oldest sibling. You are responsible for shoring up grandpa and comforting Bellie, Teddy and Bertha. But you know what? Love is infinite. You can give and give and give, and it will never dissipate. I know how our family is...and at times, you don't need to say anything. You just need to be there and your presence is comfort enough. Project the strength that you passed on to me, and those around you will feel stronger too.
Love you tons and hope to see you very soon, if not sooner.
xoxox,
C
Posted by carolyn at 10:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2005
Grandma's Gone
My grandma passed away this morning. It was expected, she'd been eating out of a feeding tube for almost a year now, and we all had the opportunity to say our goodbyes in person.
As I grew older, I grew away. She wasn't your stereotypical grandmother who you could run to when mom was mad. She never baked cookies or made an apple pie. She was more the kind of woman who critiqued the maid's cooking. She was the polished, cosmopolitan grandma that taught me how to paint my nails, and embodied the importance of a strand of pearls. She even had the glamour and confidence to stylishly carry off the sexy, high-cut traditional Chinese chaum sung late into her sixties. By the look in her eyes, you knew that she knew she was beautiful.
She was also diabetic. I remember once, when she visited us in San Diego, she said you could whistle through a Lifesaver. I was probably eight at the time, and thought this would be the coolest trick ever. I begged and pleaded, aunties and mom scolded me from the front seat of the car, "Grandma can't have sugar!" they said. But there is not a grandma in the world that could resist their only granddaughter begging advice. She popped a butter rum lifesaver in her mouth and blew.
We grew apart later. There was the expected language barrier, (she could speak in English, but it was never her native language), the distance, and the ever-present Chinese quality of formality. But I went back to Hong Kong earlier this year, for my 30th birthday, to see her for the last time. We all knew it was the last time, but in my culture, you never say so directly. I remember going to her bedside, seeing the tube come out of her abdomen, seeing that she was too exhausted trying to breathe that she couldn't even open her eyes, and just sensing an all-pervading tiredness emanating from her body. This was about the same time as the Terry Schiavo case, but we all compartmentalized. I held her hand, and I felt a gentle squeeze. She knew I was there. Generations separated us, but family blood still connects.
Grandpa never left her side. I remember whispering in Grandma's ear as she lay there, that I wanted to find a man as good as her husband. Grandma and Grandpa were never apart. They raised the family together, they ran the business together. He was warm, caring and devoted, but above all, loving beyond fault. As the sun streamed in through the sliding door in their bedroom, Grandpa leaned over to kiss his almost comatose wife on the forehead. It was a touching moment that would bring tears to the eyes of any bystander. They were both in their late 80s, and to see such a demostration of love, especially in a Chinese family, is deeply moving. Then out of left field, my grandmother's arm comes flying off the bedspread to smack Grandpa playfully upside his head. The barest hint of a smile kissed her lips. Grandpa laughs and grabs her hand, and I can't help but laugh and cry at the same time. I am so thankful that this is the last memory of my grandmother.
Bye, grandma.
Posted by carolyn at 09:29 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2005
Naughty Girl Blue Jeans
I was a naughty, naughty, naughty girl today. Have been wondering for the past two months what was so great about a pair of Seven jeans. You know, the ones that sit so low on the hips you think they're going to fall off at any minute? Certainly not appropriate for a 30-year-old marketing manager. I blame it on my mom, who accidentally got me a subscription to In Style magazine for Christmas, despite the fact that I prefer home and garden magazines and the occasional health and fitness rag. But crud, I've turned girlie.
After running 3.5 miles today, I was feeling really good about myself, happy that I reached my summer goal right on schedule. This achievement definitely called for a treat. So, figured I would go to Todai and gorge myself on sashimi and crab legs. Unfortunately, Todai is in Schaumburg, the Chicago suburb home to Woodfield Mall. Woodfield Mall is the largest mall in the United States in terms of non-repeating retail stores. Schaumburg also boasts a Saks' Off Fifth outlet, a.k.a paradise. I am positively powerless in Off Fifth. Especially when they are having one of those fabulous sales where there are 70% off lowest ticketed price signs everywhere.
As soon as I walk in the door, a perfectly faded pair of Sevens winked at me. Still skeptical and somewhat indignant at their cuteness, I tossed them over my arm convinced that as soon as I tried them on, I would laugh and return them to the fitting room attendant. Damn it, of course they would hug my legs just right, and grab my hips at just the right point, thus avoiding any belly roll and making my waist look small and fit. Miracle jeans. Truly. Checked the price tag (should've done that first)...huzzah for me, they were on sale. Marked down from $90.00 to $89.99. "For a pair of jeans?" I thought? Then I looked in the mirror again and was sold. I also tried on a darling Betsey Johnson dress, but of course, had to put that back, because even though it was an awesome deal, $130 reduced to $90, I would get more use out of the jeans. Oh, but it was cute and perfect for summer evenings out on the town. I may have to go back. Especially since I violated another one of my rules and signed up for a credit card to get the 10% off and $25 off a future purchase.
Oh, naughty, naughty, naughty girl.
Posted by carolyn at 11:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Commencement: Welcome to the Real World
Got invited back to my alma mater, Loyola University of Chicago, to address the School of Business graduates. Really liked my speech, so thought I'd post it here for all eternity.
***
I know what some of you...parents and graduates alike...are thinking. And the answer is, "Yes, it was worth the tuition!"
You may not be able to hold, touch or feel what it paid for, but it has changed you. Your ideas, your thoughts, your values have been influenced not only by family and peers, but also by your education. At Loyola, you were not told what to think, but how to think. And this distinction enables you to make decisions that will impact companies and colleagues.
Ethical choices are not limited to textbooks and case studies…you will certainly encounter them during the span of your career. At these junctures, have the courage to make the right decisions, decisions you can be proud of.
Through it all, never lose your sense of humor, as it will help keep your priorities in order. Respect people even if you disagree with them, as their decisions may rely on a different set of information. And if someone lets you down, forgive them and work toward a solution. Finding a solution is more productive than assigning blame.
Finally, as Loyola has inspired you, inspire others to think.
So, on behalf of Loyola's School of Business Administration Alumni Association, congratulations. You now join the ranks of over 20,000 extraordinary alums who are demonstrating their leadership in Chicago's business community and beyond. As you go out to make your mark on the world, I urge you to stay involved with your alma mater. Read the newsletters, check the website, drop by our monthly meetings. We would certainly love to see you at our Bin 36 wine tasting this July. And, who knows? Perhaps one day in the not too distant future, you will return to campus to share your expertise with business students who will follow.
Posted by carolyn at 04:33 PM | Comments (1)
May 20, 2005
Seniority in Airlines?
Had lunch today with a guy in the airline industry. He had some interesting insights into its workings...let's see if I can relate.
In order to get ahead in an airline, you have to build up seniority, i.e., the longer you work for the airline, the more brownie points you build up. Also, the seniority system isn't restricted to a single level of employment, it's company-wide. This means, so I'm told, that a janitor with 10 years of service has more seniority than a pilot with 3 years of service. So if both the janitor and the pilot are flying standby and there's only one seat, the janitor gets it.
Apparently all the majors have this system in place, but seniority does not transfer from airline to airline. A pilot that has five years under his belt at one airline gets no seniority perks if he joins another airline.
Which makes this next bit interesting. What impact does this seniority system have on wages? Airline employees are dis-incentivized to quit their jobs. So they keep getting raises and no one really gets fired because of the unions. What's this mean? It means the airline ends up with an older, more expensive workforce. Doesn't seem like such a good system for an industry that can't even live paycheck-to-paycheck.
Posted by carolyn at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2005
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Ten hours ago, I was sitting in the AMC movie theater, (second row, center stage, seats were not as desirable in a movie theater as they are at a musical) fidgeting with excitement. The opening text for Star Wars Episode III was scrolling up and away, and I was wishing I had done my hair up in Leia-like buns. At first, the grown up in me was thinking, "A midnight show? You have an 8:30a meeting!" But by the time the theme music had ended, all my work-a-day qualms had subsided and I was sucked into Sith battle. Good stuff, it was!
Yoda and R2-D2 persist to be my favorite, I think it's just their unique abilities to communicate perfectly, despite a different language structure. Yoda even managed to carry off comic relief stunts with his usual panache and dignity, and R2-D2 showed his stuff in one of my favorite scenes involving motor oil. Also, was it me, or were there a couple Three Stooges references? The poke-in-the-eyes gag and a few audio flashbacks?
Not too many people dressed up, unfortunately. At least not that I saw. There was a half-hearted Princess Leia, buns but no bikini; a couple Jedi knights with flourescent lightbulb sabers; and one very tall Wookie. There was also guy in Trekkie gear, talk about mixed metaphors.
But good stuff, I'm not a Star Wars fanatic, but I certainly enjoyed Episode III more than the previous two. I rank it almost as high as the original.
Posted by carolyn at 10:12 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 06, 2005
Airplane Etiquette
Flew Southwest Airlines home to San Diego to surprise mom for Mother's Day, and realized that outside of the ever-traveling consultant, there seems to be a general ignorance regarding airplane etiquette. Let's set some standards here:
1) The passenger in the middle seat is entitled to both armrests. If they got suckered into paying full price for a crap seat, they should at least get to rest their elbows on the little plastic ledge.
2) When getting up out of your seat, do not hoist yourself up using the chair in front of you.
3) Do not rest your shoeless foot in the wedge between the two seats in front of you.
4) If the middle seat is open, both the window and the aisle passenger are entitled to use the tray table to store peanuts and bloody marys.
5) Like the sign says, "As a courtesy to the next passenger, please consider using your paper towel to wipe off the basin."
Posted by carolyn at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)
April 29, 2005
Care for a Bowl of Tomatoes?
I love homemade salsa...the smell, the texture, the bite! Especially after its been sitting in the fridge for a few hours and all the flavors start to meld together. I usually use tomatoes, white onion, cilantro and a hearty handful of jalapenos (usually with only half the seeds). Chop it, stir it, serve it. Right? Not so with the urban tribe. When I have dinner with that tight knit group of buddies, I always have to watch out for particular tastes. One person can't stand onions. Another can't stand cilantro. And one of my best girlfriends can't take spicy food. And she's Mexican! So take out the onions, cilantro and jalepenos...what's that leave me with? A big bowl of tomatoes. No one says, "Have some chips and tomatoes!"
Posted by carolyn at 04:19 PM | Comments (1)
April 28, 2005
From Vacuum Cleaners to Rolexes
Went to an alumni event at my business school alma mater last night, where an 81-year-old David Oreck discussed his rise from military aviator to late night vacuum cleaner salesman. You could see the latter was his calling as he bonded with the packed audience, charming them with storytelling and advice. My favorite anecdote was an example he used to demonstrate the value associated with brand strength. Oreck pulled up his jacket sleeve and pointed to his watch. It was one of those black, plastic Casio deals.
"This," he said, "This is a great watch. It tells the time, it tells the date. It's got a chronograph, an alarm, and it's backlit. It's a great watch and it was $59.95."
Big deal, I think. But then he gets me. Because now he pulls up his other jacket sleeve and displays a shining gold watch. "This is a Rolex. It just gives me the time and the date, and I don't think it even keeps very good time. It cost $5000."
Just goes to show, there are people out there willing to pay more for brand prestige. Not everyone, but if there wasn't any profitable demand, Rolex wouldn't be around.
Posted by carolyn at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2005
Gate Pecking Order
It is common knowledge that there is a pecking order when it comes to boarding a flight. First up the gangway are the elite first class passengers, followed by platinum card-bearing frequent fliers. Well, Travel Rogue has learned a naughty little trick. Apparently, the gate attendant does not check your platinum card status. I have not yet tested this strategy, but it is related to me by a trustworthy source. Even so, I don't understand the appeal of boarding early. Do first class passengers really enjoy watching the underprivledged coach class file past, bumping shoulders, elbows, disturbing newspapers, etc.? Wouldn't it make more sense to have first class passengers board last? Not only for operational efficiency, but also to bestow those passengers with an air of mystique. Passengers shunted to the back of the plane would whisper to each other, "Who's in first?" Additionally, since first class passengers deplane before everyone else, those in coach would never know if they shared the same re-circulated air as some Hollywood celebrity or scandalous politician.
Posted by carolyn at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)