Monday

Still in the Deep Freeze here. It got above zero today, but not much. Really glad to get the Taurus in the garage.

TCU - Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on the tube as I make this entry. Does anyone care? (That same question probably applies to the Orange Bowl tomorrow night. Sorry, Hawkeye fans.)

BTW, it may be useful information to know that the Air Force Academy and Navy both won their bowl games with the triple-option running offense that they both learned from the Georgia Tech coach when he was at Navy. Iowa had better score 30 points or more if they expect to win.

Speaking of football saturation, SportsCenter, and every other sports highlights show, can't play the Wes Welker knee-injury play often enough. Welker is the New England Patriots slot receiver who made a cut while catching a pass yesterday and tore the ACL and MCL in the same leg. Not pretty. I've not been able to watch replays of knee injuries for years. And the video producers seem to think that 14 angles on what can be a career-ender is must-see-TV.

Switching gears...

I've been impressed within the last week with at least three commercial enterprises who have reached out through technology and wished me happy birthday. Starbucks in snail mail was a lay-up as their new Preferred Customer program includes a free birthday beverage. A Gap email greeting with a 25% discount code for an online or in-store purchase in January was a bit of a surprise. But the most unusual was an electronic "Happy Birthday" greeting on the Wells Fargo ATM screen when I had to stop by for some cash over the weekend.

Lots of sales-oriented businesses have had computerized client relationship systems for years. How many birthday cards have you received from your insurance agent(car/homeowner/life) or investment professional? Even the salesman that sold you your car probably has you on a follow-up program. (Remember those little oil-change post cards?) I just find it interesting that designers have made in-roads in the wireless age to new ways to reach customers.

The new phone system at the office is still a work-in-process. I did learn today that I need to hang my wireless ear piece on it's cradle when not in use to keep it charged. Similar to the wireless mouse on my laptop (except that the mouse's power source is not rechargeably-connectable to the computer). Neither of those two words are words.

It's a little scary, but I have to start packing for Scottsdale tonight. One day is plenty for normal clothes, etc., but the golf equipment complicates the one-day, one-hour schedule. One positive for this year's trip...I know where my clubs are. Shoes, balls, and ancillary equipment will require a further search.

What's the deal with the apple falling from the vine on the Google home page today?

More tomorrow.

BCOT