Friday, February 29, 2008

Wow it's been a week full of stuff to write about, but it's just been too busy.

First, thanks to Mr. Bezden for taking us off the mailing list. I don't think we'll ever see eye-to-eye on your business practice, but I appreciate your listening to us. Just to run a possible business enhancer by you - what if you actively sought an Opt-Out list? If it's only 10-20% of a neighborhood, I know it's just more work for you, but if you could eliminate 50-60% of people who wouldn't look at your flyer regardless, could that reduce your costs and time and make the remaining addresses more valuable? Just a thought.

Also, the Wife did some research on the littering question. The Supreme Court has protected leafleting as a requirement to protect anonymous political speech, and has explicitly extended that protection to all leaflets, including commercial. They must be "firmly affixed" to the door, and cannot be left where there is a No Soliciting or No Trespassing sign. So I have to compliment the Ron Paul precinct chair on adhering most closely - his leaflet was in a plastic bag secured to my door handle, almost guaranteeing it couldn't fall to the ground. Given Paul's poll numbers, my admission could be the precinct chair's best news of the week. The Surpeme Court has also overturned local laws requiring that leafletters be licensed or require permits to preserve the anonymity, so while some leafleting activity might be against Pflugerville ordinances, those laws would be judged unConstitutional if challenged. I'm not endorsing the laws, just reporting them.

My company laid off six people yesterday, five of which were developers. I'm safe, but it's always an incredibly weird feeling in the office afterwards. Not to minimize what the laid-off endure, but there's a survivor's guilt that infects every conversation.

No working out this week, so I stalled at 14 miles for the month, 53 for the year. Gotta do better in March. It'll be tough to get in too much of a groove as I'm traveling to Dallas for training, and to DC for a wedding, but we'll see how it goes.

Saw a new Hillary ad tonight. It's tough to make an argument that you're not the same-old when you resort to he most pathetic political tactic of all: fearmongering. It's all pictures of kids and threats of middle-of-the-night danger that obviously only one person can prevent. I don't even know that I'd disagree with her point of the benefits of experience, but if she has to depend on this style, that's just pathetic. Before I was voting for Obama - now I'm decidedly against Hillary as well. I didn't vote early so I'll be waiting in amazingly long lines on Tuesday.
posted by Unknown 10:06 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Before getting to my main point, I'd like to thank Travis County District Attorney candidate Gary Cobb for replying to my complaint with an apology. I'm definitely willing to consider him now, although a candidate for District Attorney who doesn't follow local ordinances confuses me a bit (see below).

Well the producer of the door-to-door flyer left a comment on the last post. This is my response (completely in addition to my wife's):

1) A No Solicitation sign doesn't meet our needs. We'd be happy to talk to solicitors and even peddlers, certainly campaign workers. What we don't want is trash left on our property. I appreciate the offer, but if you haven't sent the sign, please keep it.
2) I believe you have quality control in place to avoid No Soliciting signs, but you say you use "the best companies in the business" for distribution, yet your website invites fundraising groups to do the distribution. I'd hardly call them companies, much less evaluated ones.
3) I'm with you on the billboards. Not a big fan myself, although I know some great people in the business.
4) I have a business degree and understand that businesses have to be creative to have their voice heard in the marketplace. I understand if it wasn't intended to be, but the last part of your letter sounds fairly condescending.
5) In all fairness, those are all minor points with your letter. Here's the core of my issue. Those other methods that are more expensive cost more because they are using someone's property - a billboard, airwaves, ad real estate. This is cheaper because you are using MY PROPERTY to advertise to me with no compensation and, quite frankly, no consideration at all. There is nothing in the purest capitalist system that would allow you to advertise on my property without my permission, whether to others or to me. Bring your flyers around and offer one to whoever answers the door - that's great and I'll answer the door and refuse but without any bad feeling. I've checked and as near as I can tell, leaving the flyers on my property falls under the Pflugerville city ordinance against littering as opposed to the peddling that is coming to my door to sell me something. The peddling is controlled by the No Solicitors sign (although also all individuals engaged in such are supposed to have specific permits), but the littering is forbidden to all but the owner.

So I repeat my request: please ensure that your representatives do not litter on my property again. In general, I'd prefer it if you focused on what is by all accounts a good business at What's For Dinner than littering on people's property, but I'll drop my individual complaints if you will respect my property rights.

To anyone who might happen on this blog, does anyone know if the businesses mentioned in the last post as using this service have No Soliciting signs on their stores? That would seem to cross to the hypocritical.

Oh, also, to add to my Littering Hall of Fame, I'd like to nominate precinct captain David Taylor of the Ron Paul campaign, who believes government should stay out of our lives and property, but apparently political campaigns should not have to obey littering notices. Thank you, David, for leaving contact information - if anyone would like to share their thoughts on this matter with him, you can reach him at 762-5066. Amazing how the communication can undermine the message.
posted by Unknown 5:45 PM | 3 comments

Sunday, February 24, 2008

For those who don't read the comments on these entries (and hey I'm just glad you're reading the posts), the owner of Austin's Pizza chimed in on the last one to tell me I can call the offending marketer to be taken off their delivery route. I have done so, and am happy to have an excuse not to boycott Austin's Pizza, especially their tasty barbeque chicken. As to Craig's blatant plug for the scenery-destroying billboards he likes to sell, well, at least he's not advertising them on my front porch.

No workout, movies, or new books today. Got a lot of minor stuff done though - it was a productive day. And now I'm watching the Oscars, which is anything but productive. We also took Andy to dinner for his birthday - I never feel like I have anything to contribute in discussions with Andy - he reads, watches, and learns more than I can imagine keeping up with. Happy 31st!
posted by Unknown 10:00 PM | 1 comments

Saturday, February 23, 2008

It's been a week of not getting much done besides some long hours at work. I walked for 1.5 and 3.5 miles last weekend, not at all during the week, and then 3 miles today, which makes 14 miles for February, 53 for the year. Still nowhere close to where I was hoping I would be at this point, but much much more than any year since I took Basketball for my PE credit my sophomore year of high school. I'll say it for Wife: she was in 4th grade at the time.

Watching Memphis-Tennessee in a 1-2 college basketball game. It's a lot of fun to watch, amazing speed and athleticism, but I'm not seeing much in the way of defense or the ability to control the game. I think they're both great, but I bet neither makes the Final Four. I'm also still glowing as UT is now alone atop the Big12 standings with the tiebreaker over 2nd-place Kansas. I'm sure we'll still lose the conference tourney final to them, but it's fun for now.

Politics is starting to bore me. There are definite differences between Obama and Clinton, and I'm pretty firmly on the Obama side for the primary (although I'm greatly concerned about his seemingly anti-free trade stance which reeks of populist isolationism), but it's turning into allegations and arguing between both sides. Unless there's still something to learn about either of them or their plans, can all the states just vote now and decide this? I am looking forward to the caucus though.

Finished Left Hand of Darkness - never really got what was so great although it had a lot of original ideas in the world she built. Continuing A Distant Mirror and catching up on the magazines I was supposed to read while working out. Saw St. Elmo's Fire this week - Rob Lowe looked really funny. Not a bad flick. Tried to watch A Bit of Fry and Laurie, an 80s British sketch comedy show starring Hugh Laurie of House, and just couldn't get into it. Also watched The Player, which was pretty cool. Was anyone in Hollywood not in that movie?

One candidate for local office, Gary Cobb for Travis County District Attorney, made one vote easy. His campaign left a flier on my door, guaranteeing I will vote for his opponent. I guess it's probably not trespassing, but it is littering and creating a potentially unsafe situation if someone's on vacation and leftover flyers notify anyone walking by of this fact. I encourage anyone voting in Travis County to vote for his opponent, whoever that might be, and if he wins the primary, for the Republican in the fall. If you'd like to let him know what you think of this crass wasteful physical spam (but not as tasty as Spam), feel free to email him at voteforgary@gmail.com, or leave his office a voicemail at 637-7260. I know I will. :-)

Ron Paul's campaign did the same thing a few weeks ago, and would have caused me not to vote for him if I wasn't already sane. I don't have the phone number and email of the precinct captain who did it on-hand, but I will publish it soon.

For those who think I'm discouraging political activism, I would have loved to talk to representatives of either campaign, but even though I was at home, they just littered. Maybe they talked to my door - we'll see if it votes for either of them.

I've also been getting a lot of commercial fliers on my door. Is there any kind of don't-litter-on-my-porch list I can get on? Specifically I've gotten one from a company whose contact info I'm not listing here so they don't get the advertising. But if you disagree with littering spam, please avoid patronizing The Little Gym, Texas Floors, What's For Dinner Studio Kitchen, SpineMed, Round Rock Health and Wellness Center, and Austin's Pizza, who apparently paid for it. I like Austin's Pizza, but will call them next time I order Papa John's to make sure they know why.

Yep, I'm a crank.
posted by Unknown 9:34 PM | 8 comments

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Made it to the gym the last 2 mornings for 2 miles each, so 6 miles for February, 45 for the year. Woot woot.

My biggest accomplishment for the week (mebbe 2008?) is getting mentioned, if not by name, on Ken Jennings' blog: http://ken-jennings.com/blog/?p=723. I'm the ingenious soul mentioned in #1. Bow before my getting-trivia-wrong wit.

I hope everyone had something special and chocolate for VD, or even better owns a business that gets part of the economic spoils of the day!
posted by Unknown 8:03 PM | 1 comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Yep UT killed Kansas, and the right way, with rebounding and hustle, not just lucky shooting. Doubt we can do it six straight times in the tournament, but good to see.

Made it to the gym this morning, so 2 miles for February and 41 for the year. Gotta put a dent in my pile o magazines.

Obama swept 3 more states today - he seems to be picking up momentum. And I saw ads for both of the Dem candidates tonight - it's really been a long time since we had national political ads. Now that we're relevant, Hillary will probably drop out, just to revoke our special status. That's what we get for letting Arkansans out of the state.

Heard a Valentine's Day (VD?) ad this morning about not getting your husband a gift to get his heart racing, but a heart monitor to keep it pumping. Possibly the least romantic gift ever. Not that I'm a fan of the holiday, but I'm not a killjoy either. Should other ads encourage buying the husband a Weight Watchers membership to keep him alive longer too? Hmm, maybe I'm overanalyzing and should just be happy anyone brings up buying the guy anything at all.
posted by Unknown 10:12 PM | 0 comments

Monday, February 11, 2008

At work, we have a bulletin board with every employee's picture and a few pithy facts about each person. One employee's "Likes" are "Reading and Fine Wines." While I applaud not drinking swill, does this mean that the books can be crap, she just wants her eyes moving across text? (I'll beat ya'll to this one: if so, she can just read this blog!)

Watching Texas play Kansas in basketball. We had a 7-point lead that's turned into a 4-point halftime deficit. Looks like we can't rebound this year, and when we have to depend on 3-point shooting, it usually means an early Tournament exit. On the other hand, I consider my team to have a chance against Kansas, so maybe I've just been spoiled by success. As the second half picks up, I'm enjoying watching this Mason guy pull them down - great rebounder, especially at 6'3".

Tonight I was helping a coworker figure out a new SQL view, and came up with a solution that was actually creative, efficient, and (dare I say?) elegant. It's rare I get to do work I'm really proud of pulling together - most of the problems, while challenging, are solved with the same basic tools. I also helped analyze a few bugs today - I feel like I'm really able to contribute something fairly unique here. I've always been part of a small but highly-skilled team, and usually a junior member, so this feeling is kinda new and definitely fun. Still not sure how I feel about the overall company, but that's more social issues than any big-picture concerns, and I'm enjoying the role. It's a good week.

And Obama and Clinton are debating in Austin next week. We never even get political commercials, much less a local debate! I like the weird election year that is 2008. I'm trying to get tickets, but I'm skeptical that it won't be doled out to party supporters. Volunteers, I would understand, but I'm betting it's more donors than worker bees. The Democrats aren't that much different from the Republicans.

Texas is up by 2, and Mason is a Monster on the boards! This is fun to watch. Gonna pay more attention and leave off here.
posted by Unknown 9:15 PM | 0 comments

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Slow week for blogging, and working out. This is my second blog of the week, which means 2 more than workouts. I'll work on that tomorrow.

Finished Trigger, which was better than I expected, especially because of a little epilogue that indicates research will always raise at least as many problems as it solves. Now reading A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman, about the 14th century in Europe - another Andy loan. Pretty good so far, but just dry enough that I'll probably read some in-between books. Descriptions of the plague, the medieval church, and France's conduct of the Hundred Years' War have actually been making me laugh. Anyone interested in this part of history would enjoy it.

Saw Children of Men Thursday night - nothing amazing, but fairly good story. And I always like Michael Caine trying not to be Michael Caine. And got Wife to watch Stardust - she agrees it's awesome. It doesn't have the one-liners to be a cult classic like Princess Bride, but I don't remember a better fantasy movie outside The Trilogy. Like I'd expect from Neil Gaiman, great story elements that I didn't expect or see coming. Tonight we're hoping to watch the end of Dexter Season 1.

Not much else going on - work's a little insane but not bad. Thinking about volunteering for the Obama campaign as Hillary apparently has strong Texas support. I wonder how well he'd have to do in the 7 states that are voting before next Wednesday for her to concede (she's not really campaigning in most of those), but I doubt that would happen. So Texas could actually be important. Yea us!

One spelling note that's been bugging me - seems like many many writers have recently been confusing "rein" and "reign." The first refers to a part of a horse's harness or the attempt to limit or control someone. The second is someone's rule, usually a monarch or deity. Wish I could remember an example, but I've been seeing it often enough to annoy me.
posted by Unknown 1:40 PM | 1 comments

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Surprisingly good Super Bowl so far. Good play on both sides, few penalties, no secret camerawork (that we know of). I still think the Pats will pull away in the second half, but the Giants are impressing. And only one new Peyton commercial so far.

Trigger has gotten much better - interesting political/military/social analysis of what would happen if firearms could be neutralized. Almost done, though - gotta figure out what I want to read next. Fortunately there are so many options.

No workouts this weekend so the quest for February begins tomorrow.

Saw a guy on the side of the road with a cardboard sign saying "Family kidnapped by ninjas. Saving for martial arts classes." That was worth remembering, or so it seemed to me.

The trip to Houston went well, except that we got caught in traffic Saturday afternoon - no fun at all. Makes me appreciate my commute from Pflugerville.

Tomorrow's the deadline to register if you want to vote in Texas primaries on March 4 - and our votes could possibly even matter! You should be able to get and mail registration cards from post offices and libraries. I'll try to send info on local races to the usual email list before the election.

Standard Pacific is truly a great homebuilder. They're completely honoring every one of our 22 points on our warranty claim. Sure, a builder should, but I always hear horror stories. Nice to see a company actually treat customers well.
posted by Unknown 6:35 PM | 0 comments