Unpaid Internships

I'll be honest. The whole notion of an unpaid internship never really made any sense to me. Why? Because if an employer operates within the strict guidelines of the law (unpaid interns cannot do any work that contributes to a company's operations, they can only shadow other employees and perform duties that don't have a business need), the result is really an academic setting similar to a vocational school. I don't know any vocational schools that are free so why should an internship be? Confused? Simple, the intern (or their school) should pay the employer. Yes, I know that this seems counterintuitive (not the first time I've heard that), but an employer that actually conforms to the law is providing an incredible value and service to the intern and should be compensated for it in some small meaningful way.

Things I'd Save from the Fire

I'm a strong believer in memories over materialism, but one item I would risk serious injury for during a fire is "Monkey". Monkey was a hand puppet that my father acquired when I was a toddler. Monkey never had a name, or if it did, I can't remember it. I was completely fascinated by Monkey and it seemed so animated and real, that I never really noticed my father's arm sticking out of the bottom. Eventually, I introduced Monkey to my two children and they couldn't get enough. Requests of "Daddy, do monkey" were frequent and welcomed. There are several generations of wonderful memories in this primate, so rest assured Monkey, I got your back.

Pet Squatting

You got to love a dog that has style. My son's bed can be made daily and by lunch, our dog Dash has customized it into her own comfortable retreat. Check out the cool collar courtesy of Jason at Dublin Dog (http://www.dublindog.com).

Microsoft CEO is delusional - Part II

From Macworld:

"Microsoft plans to open its own retail stores to "transform the PC and Microsoft buying experience," the company said Wednesday as it hired an executive to run the retail operation. The stores will help Microsoft engage more deeply with consumers and learn firsthand about what they want to buy and how, according to a Microsoft press release."

In my opinion, these stores will turn into one big "Genius Bar" and are sure to generate a deluge of YouTube content. Rumor has it that the first store will open on April 1st.

Microsoft CEO is delusional - Part I

Posted on Macworld.com by James Niccolai, IDG News Service:

In his speech at the start of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Wednesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talked repeatedly about the convergence of computing around three screens—the PC, the smart phone and the television. It is now Windows, not the desktop, that Microsoft hopes to see at the center of it all, linking the three devices.

“Now it’s no longer just about the desktop but really a broader vision,” Ballmer said, adding later: “Microsoft is transforming what Windows is, from a PC OS to a connected platform; an experience that spans the PC, the phone, the TV and the cloud.”

It's obvious that these guys have so much tape on their glasses, that they have lost their vision. Someone please bookmark www.apple.com on Steve's PC. He might be inspired by iTunes, the iPhone, Apple TV and the Mac.

"Green" (repurposed) Christmas Tree

I think our potted Japanese Pine cleaned up pretty good for Christmas.

Oprah Book Club selection?

I understand that the discredited accuser in the Duke lacrosse case, has just released a 200-page memoir entitled: "The Last Dance for Grace, Crystal Gail Mangum". That's an interesting title given the fact that she told reporters “Many people have tried to use my name and my past to intimidate me, to make me believe that I was a nobody,”. I'm a real person. I have feelings. I'm not just an exotic dancer. I'm not just someone who tried to frame someone who was innocent of sexual assault. My only intentions were for justice, and I wanted justice for myself.”

If you want something of substance to read, pick up a copy of "It's Not About the Truth: The Untold Story of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case and the Lives It Shattered" by Don Yaeger and Mike Pressler. Trust me, this book will make you angry.

Microsoft's $300 Million Ad Gamble.

First of all, I'm a big fan of Crispin Porter & Bogusky (you remember their VW "unpimp the auto" ads...great stuff). But after seeing their first Microsoft ad with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates that aired last Thursday night, I have to ask CP+B, what the hell are you people smoking? If this spot were a movie (it seemed as long as one in places), it would be panned for a seriously convoluted script, bad casting and go straight to standard def DVD.

Once again, Microsoft has seemingly dug themselves a hole so deep that it will take some serious effort to climb out of. But we should be use to this by now shouldn't we? I can't wait to see version 2.0.

Vinyl LPs Revisited.

I recently catalogued 274 vinyl LPs I had purchased earlier in my life that I planned to sell. The oldest disc is a 1970 release by jazz artist Marion Brown on ECM.

What was interesting to me as I methodically handled each and every record was the amount of design and information that was included with each release. Many of these records are gatefold packages that open up to display a variety of photos, notes, etc.

There are some interesting album titles as well. I think Idris Muhammad's "Turn This Mutha Out" is my favorite with Pat Metheny's "As Falls Witchita, So Falls Wichita Falls" a close second. Wow, what a trip.

If you haven't heard vinyl on an audiophile turntable, then you don't know what you're missing.

GM's troubles started in 1996

For a thorough exhibition of GM’s corporate stupidity, I encourage everyone to see the DVD “Who Killed the Electric Car?”. GM had a great forward thinking solution in their EV-1 electric vehicle and destroyed it, literally. The recent anouncement by GM that they have “green-lighted” the electrically motivated Volt plug-in hybrid for a 2010 release, after already having produced (and destroyed) a commercially available electric vehicle in 1996, gives me absolutely no reason to feel sorry for them and their current economic troubles. They simply shot themselves in the foot and have the limp to prove it.

Minivans, Big Cars, SUVs and High Gas Prices.

In the early '70s during the oil embargo, I can remember very vividly when I heard the statement: "There is no market for a small car in America". Oops! Enter Honda, Toyota and other innovative automakers whose independent thinking guided them enough to ignore such nonsense. Well, since then gas has risen from $.45 to $4.09 a gallon and here we are again. While the Toyota Prius has a 6 month waiting list, GM and other car manufacturers of large fuel inefficient vehicles are suffering and who's to blame? Advertisers make us believe that if we don't drive a minivan with 50 cup holders and 5 flat screen TVs or a three axle, four door truck or the coolest monster SUV, that we are just not "with it". I don't know about you, but personally I never thought that advertisers were smarter than me to the extent that they know better than I what I really need.

Crappy Charlotte Drivers

What is with all the crappy Charlotte driving? I would give anything to understand the thought process behind some of these people. I'm talking about some really dumbass stupid stuff. For example:

• the female in her luxury sedan who stopped in the middle of the road to apply makeup for several minutes.

• the young mom in her minivan who sat through a green light (almost two) because she was playing with her infant behind her.

• the guy in his SUV who felt the only way to make a left hand turn was to swing over in my lane first.

• the guy who had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting me because he thought he could "roll" through the 4-way stop intersection when I was making a left hand turn.

• the numerous people who "cruise" in the left lane and wonder why there is a half mile line of cars behind them blowing their horns.

• the jerk who cut me off when he knew I was trying to pass him (on the left).

• the person who decided to make a sudden U-turn without any indication other than slamming on their brakes in front of me.

• all those drivers who cut the corner when they make a left hand turn.

• drivers on their cell phones who are so obviously preoccupied that they are simply dangerous.

In the future, I hope to post photos and/or license plates of these inconsiderate and dangerous drivers, so stay tuned.

Until then, be smart and be safe.

Super Easy Rain Barrel.

The current environmental challenge can be, and should be, approached on an individual basis. We all can take small, painless steps that collectively, serve the greater good. The following is just one Eco-friendly example I would like to share.

This is a 32 gallon rain barrel that my friend, Mark Strohm, fabricated in about 30 minutes on a recent Saturday morning. All the necessary components were purchased off the shelf at a local home improvement store for under $40. Mark says he is going to evaluate the capacity and says he may go up to 44 gallons with his next one. Hey 32, 44, whatever it takes right?

Rain is a naturally soft water and devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride and other unwelcome chemicals. In other words, your lawn and landscape will love it. So will your budget.

I'm curious how long it will take Mark's neighbors to follow suite once they see this Eco-baby in action.