January 14th, 2009 by Chip
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I kept hearing today about the numbers report from the National Retail Federation. Apparently, holiday sales were down 2.8% in 2008. Here’s the report:
US Holiday Retail Sales Fell 2.8%: NRF
Here’s my take – at least from the perspective of my household. We finally had an excuse to cut back on holiday spending. Frankly, over the last several years we have way over spent during the holidays. And, we used the economic situation as an excuse to cut back. We didn’t really have to – we chose to. I’ve talked to more than a few people and they have confirmed that they did the same thing.
Now I’m not saying that there isn’t a problem with our economy. It’s very real. But, there are maybe a few more issues relating to what’s really going on.
January 9th, 2009 by Chip
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Here’s an interesting article about a class on what not to put in your corporate documents and emails:
Course shows companies what NOT to put in writing
Dangerous Documents offers such helpful tips as: Instead of writing, “We’ll meet on Thursday to destroy the documents,” it’s better to say, “We’ll meet on Thursday to implement our document retention policy.”
Very interesting what gets archived these days, isn’t it?
December 28th, 2008 by Chip
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For those who don’t know, Franklin, TN is a little town about 15 miles outside of Nashville. I’ve lived here for almost 3 years and me and my family just love it here. The schools are phenomenal and there is a ton of stuff to do. Plus, Franklin is a cool, trendy little town with a Rockwellian main street – lots of street fairs and things like that.
Franklin is also the place where most of the Tennessee Titans live and many of the music and other celebrities as well – Sheryl Crow, Keith and Nicole, etc… In fact, just last night we ran into Ashley Judd at the grocery store. This has been happening more and more and it’s really kind of cool to watch. Our little Publix is a popular spot – you never know who you’ll run into there. Even Santa Claus stopped by Publix last July while he was on summer vacation – really, my 5 year old Dylan got his card.
There’s an unwritten rule that you have to learn about living here and it’s this – this is home, leave them alone. People in Nashville don’t tolerate others being rude to our more well known residents. It’s not cool to go up to someone at dinner, while they’re out or while they’re with their families. They aren’t on stage or on TV while they’re home so we try and let them lead as normal a life as possible.
It’s not uncommon to be standing in line with someone famous or sitting next to them at dinner or at a bar or a party. It happens all the time. You just have to remember that they’re people, too. Just be nice, say hi and if they’re interested (just like anyone else), they’ll strike up a conversation. The best lesson I learned a long time ago is not to talk about their business at all. Based on my experience, they’re dying to be treated normally.
Anyway, I really have no idea what I’m trying to say here other than it’s pretty cool living in Franklin. Watch CMT sometime and you’ll see a lot of our town.
November 12th, 2008 by Chip
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Pork, Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya
1 lb. cubed pork butt (you can use country-style boneless, pork ribs)
1 lb. cubed chicken (I prefer to use thighs)
1 lb. sliced sausage (2 options, if you want spicy add Andouille, otherwise youe a good smoked sausage)
1/4 C vegetable oil
2 C diced onion
2 C diced celery
1 C diced bell pepper
1/4 C minced garlic
8 C chicken stock
1 C sliced green onions plus extra for garnish
1/2 C chopped parsley
salt & pepper to taste
Tabasco to taste
4 C uncooked long grain rice
Optional:
2 C sliced mushrooms
Instructions:
1. In a 2-gallon heavy dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat.
2. Saute pork 30 mins or until dark brown on all sides and beginning to stick to bottom of pot – very important.
3. Stir in chicken & sausage, reduce heat to med. and cook for 10-15 mins.
4. Add onions, celery, bell pepper, garlic – cook until well caramelized. Be careful not to burn – you want them golden brown.
5. Pour in stock, bring to boil, then reduce to simmer for 15 mins.
6. Stir in green onions, parsley, optional mushrooms. Season with salt & pepper.
7. Add rice & bring to boil. Reduce heat to very low, cover, cook for 30 mins – stirring every 15 mins. Keep covered except to stir – very important.
8. When rice is cooked, stir once more and remove from heat. Cover and let steam for 10 mins.
9. Recheck seasoning and reseason if necessary.
10. Serve topped with green onions & hot sauce.
October 23rd, 2008 by Chip
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I talked to a guy at lunch yesterday that told me the early voting lines in Franklin were really short. So, I thought back to the last Presidential election and the fact that I waited in line for about 2 hours to vote. So – what the heck – I gave it a try.
Suzanne and I were in and out in 5 minutes. It was great and I got it out of the way. If you’re in Franklin, TN – head over to the Factory and get it done. It’s important. It’s your right. And, it’s a privilege. Regardless of who you’re for or against – just do it.
October 8th, 2008 by Chip
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I was reading this month’s “Exit Interview” in Men’s Journal featuring Tim Robbins and thought I would answer the questions they posed to him:
What adventure most changed your life?
I’d have to say it was my honeymoon. I wanted to go somewhere a little out of the ordinary. It had to be a island, but not touristy. So, we settled on this little island in the Bahamas called Elbow Cay. We stayed at this great B&B on the island. The neat thing was that there were no cars allowed and only two telephones on the island. It was the first time in my life that I was really incommunicado and I loved it – but it took me about four days to settle into it. And, it took my wife a little longer. The interesting thing was when we flew back and laid over in Miami. After being away from the world for 10 days and walking back into that airport, you could just feel the tension and bad vibes in the place.
What skill should every man have?
Every man needs to know how to be an interpreter. There are so many things we deal with on a daily basis that require interpretation. What did the wife really say? What does my client really need versus what they want? What did my son mean by that? Why is that guy looking at me that way? Stuff like that.
Do you have a scar that tells a story?
Yes, there is a scar that runs from my mid forehead down my nose and under my right eye. My dad bought a ski boat right after I got out of high school. About 4-5 weeks after we bought it, the dealer came up to our house for a check-out ride – just to make sure everything was running properly. So, we went out skiing on this reservoir in Utah where I was living at the time. After skiing for a while, we were driving around and I sat up on the motor cover in the center of the boat. We’ll then we hit the sandbar doing about 30-35 mph. I flew forward and hit the windshield bracing after stopping dead cold. 200 stitches later – there’s my scar.
» Read more: My Responses to the Men’s Journal Exit Interview
