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2004 Pontiac Sunfire Engine Swap

Normally I’m not one to ask for help. I do what I can, when I can, for my friends but I try really hard to take care of myself. This weekend I cashed in all of my karma.

A lot of people contributed time, expense and effort to help me replace the engine in my car. As my brother put it, it was “a logistics nightmare.” Here’s a BIG Thank You to Mom, Larry, Rob, Mel, Melinda, Tracy, John, and especially “Dad” for all they did to help. I really appreciate it! Details are after the break.
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Good service is earned, not demanded.

I went to lunch at the food court at Tampa’s International Plaza Mall today. They have no less than five Asian-themed restaurants, two table-service and three in the court. I went to Kelly’s Cajun something-or-other. I like their bourbon chicken.

I worked my way down the line with my server picking the ingredients for my plate. There was only one serving of the bourbon chicken left so he says, “We make more fresh for you.” Ok, no problem. He sets my plate to the side and begins helping other guests.

The lady behind me was a total pain in the ass. She ordered tilapia and the girl broke the filet as she was scooping it up. At first I thought the guest was joking, “Oh no, you did not break my fish!” She got worse.

I was still waiting for the fresh chicken while she was checking out. First thing she says to the cashier, “You know if I don’t like this I’m bringing it back.” I smiled at the Cashier when he made eye contact with me. They went back and forth a bit–he offered her lemon for the fish and a cup of water to drink. She was still digging in her purse when she tapped me on the arm.

“You know you won’t get this level of service, right?”

“Right.”

“It’s because you’re a guy.”

I smiled again. Honestly, I don’t think guys give better customer service to women just because they are women. If guys give better service to women it’s because some part of his brain thinks that he’ll be rewarded with sex. Lets just say that she was probably not his type.

I got exactly the level of service I expected and I thanked them for it. She got him to kiss her ass just so she wouldn’t come back. I don’t think that’s necessarily better service. What do you think?

Slow Traffic

While driving out to Tampa every day, I often wonder how many cars have to zoom past that one who is holding things up before he realizes that “SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT” means him? You would think that it would become glaringly obvious but they just keep droning along, going 60 in the fast lane.

It’s kind of like our President and the war in Iraq. He’s gotta know, right? It’s not working but he strongly believes this is going to make things better. To hell with what everyone else wants! He wants to leave a legacy after he’s out of office.

So how many cast members do you need to harass, videotape, suspend and terminate before you realize it’s the wrong strategy? Why do you wonder whats wrong with turnover? Don’t you see the correlation? It’s been two years; has it made your department a better place to work?

Doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result each time is the definition of insanity.