When the gas station sign abbreviates “Diesel” as “DSL” — it gets your attention (or at least mine). For somebody with technology on their brain (see, “Cool App’s — and Their Limits“), DSL stands for “Digital Subscriber Line,” not “Diesel.” Along with cable modems, wi-fi hot spots, and dial-up (still), DSL is a popular way...Read More
Changing Sales Terminology — or, from “Customer” to “Follower” Once upon a time, there were “customers,” “subscribers,” and “patients.” That morphed into “clients,” “guests,” “associates,” and “members.” Today? People are “fans,” “followers” (Twitter), “patrons,” “sponsors” and . . . . you name it.Read More
Physicists may be vainly searching for a perpetual motion machine — a contraption that somehow generates more energy than it consumes. But I believe I have found the domestic equivalent: a “pitching backstop” that lets adolescent boys fling — and catch — baseballs till their heart’s content — AND occupies an energetic Golden Retriever waiting...Read More
Yogi Berra-ism’s Berra’s line — about a popular seafood restaurant near the Yankees’ Spring training camp in Florida — never fails to get a laugh. But there’s more than a little truth to it. Today is the third day in a row I made a detour to the neighborhood Starbucks in search of a mid-morning “booster shot” —...Read More
“I Feel So Good: The Life & Times of Big Bill Broonzy” “Um, Clapton? Sounds better than Clapton, though.” –Musician guessing the identity of the guitar player in a YouTube clip featuring legendary bluesman Big Bill Broonzy. Looking for a superb Father’s Day gift for the dad/husband/son/brother into blues music? (or not — the book’s a great read...Read More
Slippery Slope I’m sure I’m not the only busy parent with multiple young children who’s witnessed (participated in) some variation of the following protocol: First play date: park car, bring child in, get acquainted with parents (or responsible adult), meet any other children in household. Do a cursory scan of the premises for unattended firearms, open bottles...Read More
