March 12, 2013
My Weird Day in the World of eCommerce
I really hate the world of failblog - but I ran into two examples from the world of ecommerce that might really fit the bill. The reason I do not like failblog is because so many times it criticizes noble and honest attempts to do something good. In so many cases, there is good intent - but it just comes out poorly. It is good to remember that the easiest way to avoid failure is not to try anything.
But today, I came across two very odd examples of eCommerce gone wrong. Sure there are good intentions here - but it seems that with so many companies right now, the race is to see how few people you can have watching the shop. 10% cuts to the workforce over and over will take its toll. And maybe that has led to my two weird examples from eCommerce today.
A Great Price for a Computer - if you can get it....
So I found this today on the Best Buy site. I have purchased a great deal at Best Buy over the years. In fact, that is where I bought my last PC four years ago. I think that my PC is on its last legs, and I was thinking about the need to get something new. So I spent a few minutes and looking around today. I found a pretty cool looking Lenovo PC at a good price. And it was not sold out...so that is good. So all I need was to figure out if I can order it for delivery or store pickup. But it seems that it is not available for shipping. It is also not available for store pickup - but, if you are a masochist, you can check the stores for the item that you cannot pickup in stores. It seemed like a cool PC - keep looking....
Thanks for your purchase - here are three things you might want...or not.
If you have ever purchased anything at Amazon, you probably have been really surprised that the recommendations that came after the purchase really were quite good. They present recommendations better than just about anyone out there. And you can imagine executives sitting in meetings suggesting that they could do the same just as well. Some companies do pretty well. Most companies probably do not do as well. Which brings me to an email I received today.
When we shop at Sears, we get an email receipt (which is pretty cool). In fact, late last week, my wife went and purchased a sweater from the Lands' End store at Sears. But today, they sent me an email with the above recommendations for other things I like. They actually identified 3 things that were picked JUST FOR ME. The three items are things I have NEVER seen at a Sears store...and are very curious indeed. These items - picked JUST FOR ME - are a Comb Binding System (when you get reports that have those plastic coil bindings - this is Comb Binding) and two different literature organizers - which you would see in a sales office inventory closet - just like in the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan 1990 film Joe vs. the Volcano:
After having a paranoid feeling that someone got our card - bought all sorts of office equipment at Sears - and they are following up with more to purchase (this did not happen), we began to think the following:
How do you go from a sweater purchase to making a recommendation to buy some specialized office equipment and furniture? These are my thoughts....
- People who wear sweaters might also be people who need a $2500 comb binding system.
- People who need to organize literature are always cold.
- When they saw in my occupation that I am a librarian, it was clear that I would have a need for this type of equipment.
- People in Michigan love to comb bind documents and would do it all the time - if ONLY THEY HAD THE EQUIPMENT.
- A random product generator made the connection between a sweater and equipment that has very rarely been sold to individuals.
- The person who wrote the algorithm has always wanted a comb binding system...so shouldn't everyone.
And thus ends my weird day in the world of eCommerce. I think I am going to go to Meijer...you can get anything there:
Posted by cseeman at 08:18 PM | Comments (0)
July 09, 2012
Some Favorite Coupon & Rebate sites (Ann Arbor & Online)
Here are some links that I have really used a great deal for discounts and rebates. Enjoy!
Ann Arbor restaurant coupons
- CampusSpecial.com includes coupons for a large number of Ann Arbor campus favorites. These are the same that would appear in books handed out at the beginning of the term on campus.
- CouponClipper.com includes coupons for services and restaurants in Ann Arbor. These are often a bit more upscale than the ones above.
Rebate sites - NOTE: I used these a lot - they can provide a few percent back on purchases made online - hey it helps. I will normally see which ones have the better rebates or online coupons.
- Mr. Rebates - they have cash back that you can get via check or Paypal...pretty nice.
- Ebates - they also have cash back that you can get via check or Paypal...pretty nice.
I will post more soon - maybe with a permanent page. But with Art Fair coming up - it is nice to save a few dollars here and there.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 08:19 AM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2012
Groupon Math (or why I am sick of it)
Just updated this with something I forgot....
Wow...I just had a completely crappy experience with a Groupon purchased for a local Domino's Pizza. Kinda turning me off on this whole industry (especially with being bombarded by Living Social and Google Offers.
So for $10, I purchased $20 worth of Domino's Pizza. Seems like a good deal. But the math works against you. If you spend exactly $20, then your meal is 50% off. But every penny that you spend over that, the discount is diminished.
But when I got there - they said that no coupons applied on this particular offer. WTF? I was ordering the following menu items:
Quantity Description Amount
Large (14") Brooklyn Pizza
Whole: No Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce, Cheese, Hearty Marinara Sauce, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Mushrooms
$7.99
Tuscan Salami & Roasted Veggie
Options: White Sauce, Cheese, Onions, Banana Peppers, Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach, Salami
$7.99
32-Piece Parmesan Bread Bites
$5.00
Side Marinara Sauce Dipping Cup (Thanks for not including this with the bread bites)
$0.50
Coupon Used: Large 3-Topping Pizza. Carryout Only. Available Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Only.
Food & Bev Total: $21.48
Tax: $1.29
Total: $22.77
So this seemed pretty good - $22.77 worth of food for $12.77 - that is a discount of 44% - not bad.
BUT WAIT....I was told that if I am using a Groupon - it is MENU PRICES. So the Coupon that they are advertising all over creation went away and the cost went to around $27. Hmm...So I am get $27 is food for around $17 - and my discount dropped to 37%. But in reality, I am still getting around $23 worth of food - because I would have been able to use a coupon.... so when I factor that in, the real discount is only around 26%. As my beagle Flapjack would say....whoop-di-doo!
To add insult to injury, the Groupon Fine Print did not mention this at all:
The Fine Print
Expires Oct 3, 2012
Limit 2 per person. Limit 1 per table. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Not valid for online ordering. Carryout and delivery only. Delivery fee not included. Must purchase 1 food item. Must use promotional value in 1 visit. See the rules that apply to all deals.
So long story short - Super-disappointed - not going to jump on one of these again for a while.
Should have cooked dinner at home.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 06:38 PM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2011
About Michigan Football 2011
About Michigan Football 2011 - Thoughts by Corey on the eve of the Football Season.
In a few years, business schools will be writing case studies on Michigan football - especially with the comparison between coaches Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke. Maybe these will come from the Ross School of Business (where I work), but they could come from anywhere. The core issue in the case will be organizational change and organizational culture. The case will look at how difficult it is to change this. But also, the case will look at how a manager (or a coach) who is new to an organization assesses what steps to take and how to use the staff (or players) that are there.
The reason I bring this up is because I think that the failures of Rich Rodriguez in his three years were one part bad fortune and a few parts bad decisions. On the eve of the Brady Hoke era on the field, it gives me great faith that he is indeed heeding the lessons of the past so as not to repeat them. By following this path, I believe that Hoke will lead Michigan to an excellent season - and could get to 8 or 9 wins.
With this in mind, it is interesting to consider last year. The team, despite defensive problems, jumped out to a 5-0 record and looked like it might be having a major breakthrough. Sadly, it did not happen. I say sadly in this regards. I am not a Michigan native (my wife is), nor was I a huge fan. In fact, I was more of a passive football fan, that being the one sport the Mrs. really hates. But since joining the staff at the Ross School of Business in 2005, my life really took a change. I became huge fans of Big Blue. But not only football, but women’s softball, tennis, track, etc. It became very easy to root for anything Michigan. That also changed to rooting for the University in all its endeavors. I found myself helping and rooting for an MBA team to win a case competition, or the solar car team won its race, or University and Hospital to raise in the rankings. If it was good for Michigan, it was good for me. Go Blue.
And I rooted for the people involved, including Rich Rodriguez. I wanted him to succeed so the University would succeed. A football win, a student award, a case competition, are all different ways to showcase our great place in Ann Arbor.
So when you end the 2011 season with a 7-5 record - but start 5-0 - it means that things did not really go so well. They continued in the Gator Bowl which took the team to 7-6 and cost Rodriguez his job. And in thinking about the season, the promise that was evident early in the season imploded. This is why it happened. (NOTE: Most football fans have forgotten more about football than I will ever know. This is not scientific, but a gut reaction to what happened on campus and on the field).
The three things that caused Michigan to do poorly last year were these:
Defense Struggles. Yeah - we all know they struggled last year. Duh. But was it a problem with the players, or a problem with management. I would vote for the later. I believe that a 3-3-5 defense could work in any league. However, in order to implement it - you need the right personnel. Clearly, they did not have that last year. With key injuries, the secondary looked more like a freshman comp class than Big Ten safeties and cornerbacks. The other issue is that the 3-3-5 defense puts more pressure on these young players - which is a recipe for disaster. The second aspect that is so critical is the pass rush. Cousins, Stanzi, and Chappell (well, and others) had all sorts of time. Mike Martin and co were all doubled teamed and could not put enough pressure on the opponents QB - which gave them enough time to exploit the young secondary.
Kicking Struggles. Yeah - we all know they struggle last year. The offense could drive to the 15, but could not count on 3 points. That killed them all year.
These two elements caused the third part of the problem. Too much pressure was on Denard Robinson. Not only did he have to carry the offense, it was not enough to get to the 15 - but he had to score. The times they went for 4th down really took a toll on his psyche (from my perspective). If he had to score every time - because their kicking game was not working and the defense was mis-managed - then that is more than anyone should have to bear. It would be horrible in any profession.
On a positive side from last year, the team was quite young. I believe that they were going to improve. I also feel that Rich Rodriguez was let go in some part because if they did win 9 games this year, Brandon would not be able to get rid of him for a few years. But that never happened and a new chapter was started in January of this year.
To that end, we are at a new era and a new start. That being said, the one thing that gives me great hope is that Hoke is working with the team that he has - not strictly focused on the team that he wants to have. I think that the coaches have all be working hard to make sure that these student athletes are better managed. Al Borges is not trying to make Denard Robinson something he is not - which is why Hoke will be far more successful than Rich Rodriguez was - and right off the bat.
The team also benefited from great leadership from the juniors (like Mike Martin) and sophomores (like Denard Robinson) who took on leadership roles on the team. That will take this team to the next level.
In regards of predictions, I am horrible. I really do not care about point spreads - a win is a win. I also routinely root for the underdog…hence my perpetual confusion. But this is how I see things panning out:
Sep. 3 Western Michigan - Big Win for Hoke’s Debut. (1-0)
Sep. 10 Notre Dame - I see this as a win, but it will be settled early unlike the last two years. (2-0)
Sep. 17 Eastern Michigan - This game will be close for 35 minutes - until Michigan puts is away. (3-0)
Sep. 24 San Diego St. - A very motivated team arrives at Michigan Stadium and almost pulls off an upset. (4-0)
Oct. 1 Minnesota - Big win for Blue (5-0)
Oct. 8 at Northwestern - Loss in Persa’s first game back (5-1)
Oct. 15 at Michigan State - With new focus, Michigan wins big to end the 3 year losing streak (6-1)
Oct. 29 Purdue - Huge win for Michigan (7-1)
Nov. 5 at Iowa
Nov. 12 at Illinois (I think they will split these two - not sure how - end up 8-2)
Nov. 19 Nebraska - Welcome to the Big Ten…sadly Big Red wins (8-3)
Nov. 26 Ohio State - This streak ends with an amazing performance by someone that is not starting in September (9-3)
There are my thoughts…I will be a fan either way and hope they send these Seniors out in a big way - they certainly deserve it.
Here is one of the players that are going to make it happen this year:
Posted by cseeman at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2011
The Generous Town of Goderich, Ontario
On Sunday August 21, 2011, a tornado struck the beautiful town of Goderich, Ontario. Goderich sits high on the bluffs on the Eastern shore of Lake Huron and is called “the prettiest town in Canada.” According to news reports, the residents in the port town had but 12 minutes warning for the coming storm cell as it approached the city.
While my heart goes out to the people of Goderich during this trying time, this allows me to share a story of why this is such a great place. In 2010, I planned the Fiddlers ReStrung summer tour. ReStrung is a fiddle group of high school students from Saline, Michigan and my older son Jeremy played cello in the group. The Tour was to circle the Great Lakes and our very first stop way Goderich.
ReStrung was playing in Goderich’s Multicultural Festival on June 27, 2010, which was sponsored by the Goderich B.I.A. (Business Improvement Area). We were supposed to play in the town center in the Gazebo at Courtyard Square, but were moved the North Street United Church because of rain and the threat of more. Since the church had wonderful acoustics, we opted for a semi-acoustic show – which most of our members playing without amplification. It was a wonderful sound in that glorious building that day. Despite the last minute move, we had a great turnout and it was a great way to start the concert and the tour.
That night, we checked into the Hotel Bedford, right in the center of town. That evening, we planned to picnic along the water, but rain forced us inside to the restaurant at the hotel. I walked around and took some photos of the town and the lighthouse when the weather broke in the evening. All was well and wonderful for our first night on tour. But what I will always remember happened the following day.
As part of the concept of touching each of the Great Lakes, I thought it would be great to have a picture of the group at each of the lakes that we visited. So on our way out of town the following morning, we stopped by the rocky beach and took this photo of the ReStrung along Lake Huron. With a gig later in London, Ontario that day, we were all in uniform.
The rocky beach was a wonderful place to take a photo. It was also a great place to skip rocks. We all had a great time playing a bit before heading back in the bus.
By around 9am, we were on our way to London, about 90 minutes away (if I remember correctly). We arrived around 10:30 and setup for our show at the London Public Library for noon.
But when we got there, one of the members of the group informed me that she could not find her purse. What was worse was that she had one of those driver’s license that allowed you to cross into Canada and that was in the purse. So without it – it was going to difficult, very difficult, to get back into the states. So after checking the bus twice over, she shared that she might have left it on the beach in Goderich. My naturally thought was – why did you take it off the bus…but that is another story. The reality was that the ID was in a purse on a beach 90 minutes away.
I got on the phone and called the Hotel Bedford staff and explained our situation and asked if they could help. She took my information and said that she would check into it and that I should call back. I was hoping they would have someone who could drive by and see if one was left. She did send someone over, but the real amazing thing happened when she called back. She had called around and found out that someone found a purse on the beach this very morning and handed it into the police. She gave me the number of the police and I called – confirming that it was the very one that was dropped. Not only did they hand the purse in, but everything was in tact.
Right after our show in London, we returned to Goderich to collect the purse. The goal that day was Long Point, but we will have to do that some other time. We arrived back in Goderich at 4pm and the young lady whose purse it was and I walked to the police station. We walked in and the policeman asked if I was here to pick her up? I did not understand and he repeated…. “Are you here to pick her up?” and pointed to a young girl, maybe 15, who looked like she was in trouble and wanted to be anywhere else. I said that we were in fact hoping to pickup the lost purse. After being quizzed to its contents to ensure that it was indeed hers, they gave it to us. We made it back before they left for the day (it is that kinda of town).
A few days later, I loaded the photos on the beach...and discovered that I took a shot of the very moment the bag hit the ground...amazing
You can see why it was hard to notice - it blended right into the rocky surface.
And while we got off to a rocky start on tour, I do not think I will ever forget the amazing hospitality of many people in that wonderful town. I hope to be able to repay them for the rebuilding that they are going to be undertaking over the next several years.
Posted by cseeman at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2008
Haikus from the Hall of Fame Trip (part 2)
Near Marblehead
Near here, you once said
the llama took our bucket
a glorious day
(One of Christopher's best verbal days as a young child)
Black flies, damn black flies
you took a hot, humid day
and made it much worse
(nuff said)
Almost an island
off Pennsylvania's small reach
into the Great Lakes
(from Erie, PA)
A beautiful view
towards the radiant sunset
on peaceful Erie
(lovely sunset tonight)
Seven Ohio
lighthouses today, but missed
Poor Ashtabula
(Oh well...maybe next trip!)
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , LighthousesPosted by cseeman at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2008
Haikus from the Hall of Fame Trip (part 1)
Some before I even left:
The greatest justice
A unique view from the bench
was justice Marshall
(on a Thurgood Marshall postcard that I bought at the post office)
See any movie
while I am away this week
Enjoy the summer
(on a Journey to the Center of the Earth) postcard from Wendy's
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the DayPosted by cseeman at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2008
Haiku's from Seattle
I am going to add all the Haiku's that I put on Postcards that I sent home to the boys. I decided that it would make the postcards more enjoyable for the kids.
The Pike Street Market
You find produce, fish flying
and the first Starbucks
Posted by cseeman at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)
Haiku for Today (Ann Arbor Roasts)
Espresso Royale
My new favorite taste
Locally roasted
My new favorite coffee!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Michigan's Economy , Michigan's FoodPosted by cseeman at 09:42 PM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2008
Haiku for Today (Bobby Murcer)
Bobby Murcer was
followed Mantle as the star,
but was just himself
Born May 20, 1946 in Oklahoma City, OK
Died July 12, 2008
He had the unfortunate job of following Mickey Mantle as the star of the Yankees (who followed Dimaggio, Gehrig and Ruth).
He had a great career and was (by all accounts) a great person. Just being himself.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , The Culture of SportsPosted by cseeman at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
July 08, 2008
Haiku for Today (Detroit)
Could hydroponics
be the golden ticket for
our beloved Detroit?
Seems like a good idea.......lots of space and water.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Michigan's EconomyPosted by cseeman at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2008
Haiku for Today (My Camera)
My Camera is
Always close, you might just see
The Jonas Brothers
Who knew...see the photos on flickr.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Movies & Popular CulturePosted by cseeman at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
June 24, 2008
Haiku for Today (Ford)
Employee Pricing
Now from Ford, Does that mean we
will all be laid off?
When they give employee pricing for everyone, while shedding jobs left and right!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Michigan's EconomyPosted by cseeman at 10:23 PM | Comments (0)
Haiku for Today (Arbitron)
Arbitron Ratings
Listen to the Radio
And write it all down
Tracking ratings for Arbitron this week (so is Pam and Jeremy). Fun process.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Michigan's Economy , Movies & Popular CulturePosted by cseeman at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)
June 23, 2008
Haiku for Today (George Carlin)
Seven Little Words
You Cannot Say on TV
Thank you George Carlin
Rest In Peace, George Carlin (Died, June 22, 2008 at age 71).
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Movies & Popular CulturePosted by cseeman at 07:03 AM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2008
Ludington Lighthouse (Cross Stitch Pattern)
I finally finished the my cross stitch pattern that I created for the Ludington Lighthouse.
You can download the pattern here.
Here is a picture of the completed project.
I am hoping that I will create some other Michigan lighthouses from here on out. Ideally, I would like to create kits that museums could sell. I would just send them to them and they can keep all the proceeds.
I used an excellent freeware software. It is called KG-Chart for Cross Stitch.
For more information on the Ludington Lighthouse, please visit:
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Lighthouses , Michigan's Economy , Movies & Popular Culture , New Favorite Web UtilitiesPosted by cseeman at 08:18 PM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2008
Haiku for Today (flickr)
Project Three Six Five
Persistence will be needed
A Picture a Day
Started Project 365 this week.
Here are my photos for the project.
This is the entire pool of flickr.
Posted by cseeman at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2008
Haiku for Today (Chipmunk)
Delicious Chipmunk
tartare style for a hawk
Fresh catch of the day
A red-tailed hawk visited the Ross School yesterday. Lunch was (from all accounts) fantastic. Then again, the food at Ross is always good!
Posted by cseeman at 06:33 AM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2008
Haiku for Today (Baseball Today)
The Mets and Tigers,
Great dreams and hopes this season
Lost in a rough spring
Posted by cseeman at 12:57 PM | Comments (0)
Haiku for Today (The Zohan)
Adam Sandler in
You Don't Mess With the Zohan
Should leave the kids home
We are either the best parents in the world or the worst...because we took them!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Movies & Popular CulturePosted by cseeman at 07:22 AM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2008
Haiku for Today (Last day of school)
All Saline children
Waiting impatiently for
The last day of school
Posted by cseeman at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2008
Haiku for Today (Jedi)
Were I a jedi
Purchases would be easy
one year same as cash
Inspired by recent furniture shopping!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Michigan's Economy , Movies & Popular CulturePosted by cseeman at 05:35 AM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2008
Haiku for Today (Writing Book Reviews)
Cut, tighter, tighter
One seventy five in reach
Still much left to say
For all those who are writing reviews for Library Journal!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Other Library Work , The World of LibrariesPosted by cseeman at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2008
Haiku for Today (Red Wings)
Noise in HockeyTown
Fans Celebrating loudly
All from lifting the cup
Posted by cseeman at 05:50 AM | Comments (0)
June 03, 2008
Haiku for Today (Hoover's)
Super-duper bonus - two Haikus!
Hoover's Disappoints
For almost all my students
Reports cost extra
Advertising here?
We pay for this database
Looks like a free site
(Those who work with business databases and resources should understand!)
Posted by cseeman at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2008
Haiku for Today (Michigan Primary)
Michigan primary
Measured only one aspect
Name recognition
Please do not even get me started!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Michigan's EconomyPosted by cseeman at 07:15 AM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2008
Haiku for Today (Art Van)
Furniture on sale
Best ever prices this weekend
Has to be Art Van
Art Van has sales that are totally amazing and never been beat...ALL THE TIME. But they are a Michigan company...
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Michigan's EconomyPosted by cseeman at 09:46 PM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2008
Haiku for Today (MeLCat)
Colder than normal
When no students are about
Better use MeLCat
Was going to walk to Borders to get a travel book to Michigan's Thumb (Lake Huron). But it was too cold, so I turned back and ordered it on MeLCat. In a few days...I should get the book!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the Day , Integrated Library Systems , Other Library Work , The World of LibrariesPosted by cseeman at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2008
Haiku for Today (Harbour Lights)
ebayed Harbour Lights
Suddenly within my reach
so very tempting
So Nancy Fleck (from Michigan State), started me on this horrible path. She gave me my first Harbour Lights collectible just this past month to thank me for my service as IUG Past Chair. It was the Old Presque Ilse Light in Michigan.
Since returning, I have purchased three more...ugh! I've fallen and I can't get up!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the DayPosted by cseeman at 06:15 AM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2008
Haiku for Today (Hummingbird)
Forty two degrees
A hummingbird sitting still
Wings tucked on her side
Photos to follow from flickr. We have had hummingbirds at our feeder within two hours of putting it up! Need to make sure everything is tagged, but here are some of my photos of birds in our backyard.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Haikus of the DayPosted by cseeman at 07:36 AM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2008
Zingerman's - Just Amazing!
Great story from NPR's Weekend Edition.
Zingerman's: Not Your Grandfather's Deli
by Bonny Wolf
Weekend Edition Sunday, May 11, 2008 · In 1982, Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig opened Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, Mich. After 26 years, they have built an empire called Zingerman's Community of Businesses that Inc. magazine called "The Coolest Small Company in America." On Friday, Oprah Winfrey rated a sandwich from Zingerman's an amazing 11 out of 5.
--end--
This is one of the best things to come out of Michigan! Definitely worth the trip.
Visit the NPR site for more pieces on food.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Michigan's Economy , Michigan's Food , University of Michigan TopicsPosted by cseeman at 08:09 AM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2008
Explaining the Subprime/Credit Crisis
There was a great piece on NPR, co-produced by All Things Considered and This American Life. These pieces do a great job of explaining what happened, while providing the human face to the issue.
Global Pool of Money Got Too Hungry (May 9, 2008)
NPR's Adam Davidson and This American Life's Alex Blumberg jointly report on how rising defaults on subprime mortgages in the U.S. became a global financial crisis. This American Life host Ira Glass talks with Michele Noris about this first ever collaboration.
The Giant Pool of Money
A special program about the housing crisis. We explain it all to you. What does the housing crisis have to do with the collapse of the investment bank Bear Stearns? Why did banks make half-million dollar loans to people without jobs or income? And why is everyone talking so much about the 1930s? It all comes back to the Giant Pool of Money.
Posted by cseeman at 08:22 AM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2008
On Airline Fees and the Like
Heard a great piece on NPR titled "How to Pack Everything You Own in One Bag"
Here is the start of the story:
All Things Considered, May 9, 2008 · With more and more airlines charging extra to check a second piece of baggage, packing light has become a necessity.
Next week, AirTran Airways and American Airlines will join Northwest, Delta, US Airways, United and Continental in requiring passengers to pay a fee if they can't cram all their clothes, shoes, books, and hairdryers into one bag to check.
--snip--
So I felt that I had to respond...
Thanks for your story about packing more effectively when traveling by air. Certainly, these are trying times for the airlines. But the model for solvency does not seem to make a great deal of sense. The airline I fly almost exclusively, Northwest, which I love, seems to have figured out that $25 is the minimum that they can charge to make it cost effective. It is $25 if I want to change a flight. It is $25 if I want to check a second bag. And it is $25 if my bag is over 50 lbs. And that is where I was, with a bag that weighed 54 pounds after a conference on my return to Detroit from Washington, D. C.
As I pulled out my credit card to pay for the “weight? surcharge on my bag, all I could think of what that my bag was nearly so heavy when I flew back from the same conference last year. But I was not. Sine last summer, I have lost 20 pounds (yeah, yeah, I am pretty happy and telling everyone - even those who could care less). So in many ways, my total weight impact on the flight was less this year, than last year. And while I did not feel that I could convince the gate agent to cut me some slack, I am wondering when the airlines are going to start weighing the passengers. Sure, you might not get a break if you are tiny, but they will sure tap a fee on those who are adding to the burden of the flight.
I can envision that you would be entitled to one 50 pound bag, one carry-on bag (assuming it does not have a snow globe or anything that has water in it), one computer bag or purse (but some of those laptops weight a ton), and up to 225 of personal weight. I still have a ways to go to hit that number, but I am getting there. It maybe a bit sensitive, but they can get the weight from the driver’s license when we check in. If we have moved dramatically in one direction or another, then I suppose they could take us to a back room where they have a scale (I wonder if they would make us remove our shoes for that). And maybe, just maybe, when we are not checking a bag, we can get bonus points for the next trip.
I still love to fly and I still love my local airline in Michigan, Northwest. But it is harder and harder to be enthusiastic about flying these days. Maybe this will change when the price of oil gets back to $50 a barrel. Ah…forget it…
--end--
Here is another nice piece called "Ode to the Second Checked Bag."
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Management PhilosophyPosted by cseeman at 03:30 PM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2008
Rules and Rules...but PLEASE USE YOUR BRAINS!
Saw this article from Reuters.
Woman fired for giving 16-cent treat to toddler
Fri May 9, 2008 7:42am EDT
TORONTO (Reuters) - An attendant at a Canadian restaurant who was sacked for giving a bite-sized doughnut, worth 16 cents, to an agitated toddler was given her job back on Thursday after the case received wide media attention.
Nicole Lilliman, a single mother, said she was dismissed from a London, Ontario, outlet of the Tim Hortons coffee and doughnut chain after video cameras captured the 27-year-old giving a Timbit to a toddler.
--see link for the rest of the article--
I am very glad that they have seen the error of their ways and reinstated her. I know the old adage that says 'take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves.' But this sets up a relationship between the customer, the staff and the product that distances reason with reality.
I know that employee theft can be a big issue, but for any operation that provides a service (be it a restaurant or a library), the need to know when the rules should be applied and when the rules could be suspended. And we do not need to extrapolate to everyone in the store...did everyone need a free timbit that day?
I would like to think that we can do something different or special for someone, based on the conditions that they are under. How many times to we do something over and above what is 'normal' in the library, only to have people frown about needing to do that for everyone. I think we need to trust in ourselves to know when we can bend the rules. When do we need to give people a report instead of pointing them in the direction. When do we need to walk people to the stacks rather than pointing. When do we need to send people some articles rather than a search string. And when do we need to give someone a timbit...well, just because.
Service will be a defining element of librarianship from here on out. These are, indeed, exciting times.
Posted by cseeman at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2008
The 'True' Story of the Caper Fairy
NOTE: This was inspired about a discussion of olive-sized capers (Roland Wild Caperberries) that was given to me by the 'Caper Fairy.' It inspired this....
Its all coming back...in 18th Century Lithuania, kids would lose teeth and put them under their pillow for the Caper Fairy. The good children would get the Wild Caperberries and be able to make, for their parents, gigantic Salad Nicoise. This was a plan put into place by misguided parents who thought they could gain wonderful meals by hinging the acquisitions of some of the ingredients to a right of passage that all children go through. This complemented the tradition among Lithuanian children who do well in Middle School to get tuna steaks for each "A."
Sadly, the desired outcome was not in the cards for these Lithuanian parents. Students revolted by doing poorly in school (thus not 'earning' tuna). They also developed a clandestine dental education program to extract baby teeth at school so the parents never knew that the Caper Fairy had to visit. The two outcomes of this still leave an imprint on world culture and cuisine. The small group of parents who conceived this idea were banished and settled in Paris. This is why Salad Nicoise is considered a 'French' dish. Second, almost every dentist in the world can trace their lineage back to Lithuania.
It must be true - I found this on the Wikipedia.
Posted by cseeman at 06:29 AM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2008
Happy Birthday - Papa Smurf
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you...
The smurfs turn 50 this year. Actually, not until October, but it is never too early to plan. See the story from NPR's Morning Edition.
If you need more smurfs in your life, visit the Happy Smurfday Site.
For more about the smurfs, please visit the "about" page.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Movies & Popular CulturePosted by cseeman at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2008
Observations from Super Tuesday
Thinking about politics (duh).
Here are some observations on Super Tuesday.
First, the timing of these primaries is a joke. Everyone wanted to move their primary up to make their vote relevant. What happened in this process is that there were too many states - so the candidates did not really campaign in the states at all. So at the end of the day (to quote my brother), Iowa and New Hampshire are even MORE influential in this process.
Second, for the Democrats - we need a real vote for Michigan and Florida. Not everyone was on the ballot in Michigan and Florida was a beauty pageant. So these two critical states lost everything by going early. Clinton cannot claim that she deserves both - because the Michigan Democratic contest was a joke - with many candidates not on the ballot.
Third, winner take all does not belong in the primaries. I can buy this for the electoral college in the general election, but for someone to win 34% of the vote and take all the delegates - there is something wrong there. Glad this is an issue primarily for the GOP.
Fourth, say what you will about Clinton and Obama - what seems to be surprising is the total number of Democrats who are voting. I will put out some examples later, but they are clearly drawing people into the process. Hopefully, good turnout in the primaries will lead to closer races in the red states. Check out the Tennessee Results
Fifth, McCain in the new Kerry. Kerry became the front runner in 2004 based on the best alternative and carrying the mantle of elect-ability. I really like John McCain and I think he would do a great job - but if he has to change his message to reach out to conservatives, he might not be so attractive to independents. If he wins the nomination, he might have good support - like Dole had in 1996, but not what Bush did in 2000 and 2004. -- ADDED COMMENT - Remember that Kerry was also left for dead in the fall of 2003. It could be eerie. What would be interesting is if McCain chooses Lieberman as his running mate. He is actually more conservative that McCain in many regards and could reach out to the Independents and Democrats. I could also be a complete mess...
Sixth, Obama did better and won the states that Democrats do NOT typically win. Just a quick comment - I need to look at the numbers. But Obama won states like Missouri, Idaho, Utah, etc. Clinton took Tennessee, but this seems to be an interesting trend.
Seventh, even freaking Ryan Seacrest and American Idol judges know how to run a contest. Let's let them work out a primary schedule for 2012. After all, the contest for that nomination starts next week.
--added one more--
Eighth, maybe the polls are a bit less reliable because people are voting in numbers that are not truly expected. I know you think about New Hampshire when Clinton surprised everyone with a big win. The difference, many more women voting than was expected or polled (I think). So the surveys and the elections can be quite different.
Certainly makes for good television, especially with the writers on strike!
Posted by cseeman at 05:51 AM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2008
Made in the USA
From the New York Times
Sports / Pro Football
At a Small Ohio Factory, Leather and Laces Mesh
By KATIE THOMAS
Published: February 2, 2008
The National Football League is the only major sports league whose balls are manufactured in the United States.
--from the article--
The N.F.L. is the only major sports league whose balls are manufactured in the United States. World Series baseballs come from a factory in Costa Rica. Basketballs in the N.B.A. finals first bounced on the floors of factories in China.
--end--
This is all pretty amazing. I assumed that none of our equipment was made locally anymore. I know it makes sense from an economic point of view to move jobs to where they can be done more efficiently, but will any of us be working if that were to happen? How much would a football cost that we would buy for our kids if it were made here? That is the real question I have.
Here is Ada, Ohio:
This entry was posted in the following categories: Business Librarianship , Completely Off Topic! , The Culture of SportsPosted by cseeman at 06:26 AM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2008
The Danger of Making Wagers with your Children
The Danger of Making Wagers with your Children
(yet another thing off topic...)
My son Chris has been dying to see the Eddie Murphy movie, Norbit. This movie ranked among the worst of the year by the critics
and was just another 'sophomoric' movie with a male actor in a ‘big lady fat suit’ as his other role. Here is the description:
Norbit (Murphy) has never had it easy. As a baby, he was abandoned on the steps of a Chinese restaurant/orphanage and raised by Mr. Wong (Murphy). Things get worse when he's forced into marriage by the mean, junk food-chugging queen, Rasputia (Murphy). Just when Norbit's hanging by his last thread, his childhood sweetheart, Kate (Newton), moves back to town. In the comedy "Norbit", he'll show them all that nice guys sometimes finish first. (DreamWorks Pictures)
This move got typically bad reviews and was definitely not appropriate for kids. When it came out on DVD, Chris kept asking to see it and we kept saying NO. Finally, Pam, in what would have been the safest bet of all times, told the boy that if it earned an Academy Award Nomination, he could see it. So…we were both shocked and annoyed to see this the other morning:
Achievement in makeup (see all nominees)
--“La Vie en Rose? (Picturehouse) Didier Lavergne and Jan Archibald
--“Norbit? (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount) Rick Baker and Kazuhiro Tsuji
--“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End? (Walt Disney) Ve Neill and Martin Samuel
Norbit is now number two on our Netflix List. Lesson to be learned. Do NOT make bets with your kids…no matter how safe they appear!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Movies & Popular Culture
Posted by cseeman at 08:15 AM | Comments (0)
George W. Bush Presidential Library design contest
George W. Bush Presidential Library design contest
OK...this looks like fun!
The Chronicle of Higher Education is looking for serious, humorous, or adventurous designs for the Bush Library, drawn as if you’d sat down next to the president and sketched out your idea on a scrap piece of White House stationery. All submissions should be on the back of a size-10 envelope. The winning designer will win a brand new iPod Touch. The deadline is February 1.
My comments: Remember, you are doing this for the President...so no big words!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 08:10 AM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2008
CMU's Library Arcade
A game we can all appreciate this from the library world. Carnegie Mellon University (one of the great universities of the world) has created a set of arcade games to help students "develop research skills through entertaining and easy-to-repeat activities."
I could be wrong about this (most often am these days), but I am just not that sure about these!
Within Range (their LC Classification shelving game)
Give them thousands of points for effort and initiative. I just wonder...
Posted by cseeman at 08:21 AM | Comments (0)
January 02, 2008
The Invisible Ingredient in Every Kitchen
From the New York Times:
The Curious Cook - The Invisible Ingredient in Every Kitchen
By HAROLD McGEE
Published: January 2, 2008
Every cook relies every day on the power of heat to transform food — but most don’t understand it.
OF all the ingredients in the kitchen, the most common is also the most mysterious.
It’s hard to measure and hard to control. It’s not a material like water or flour, to be added by the cup. In fact, it’s invisible.
It’s heat.
This is always the biggest challange for me as a cook! Thought I would share this great article from the Times.
Posted by cseeman at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)
December 24, 2007
Santaland Diaries from David Sedaris
Heard this piece from David Sedaris on NPR this morning. I cannot think of a better way to think about my days/years in retail and the joy of having it as a memory!
Originally broadcast in 1992, here is the version from NPR this year. NPR offers many of their programs online - what a national treasure.
Crumpet the Elf Reads from Santaland Diaries
Morning Edition, December 24, 2007 * Crumpet the Elf is back for another
holiday visit. Crumpet, better known as writer David Sedaris, at one
time worked as a department store elf at Macy's. Sedaris first read from
his Santaland Diaries about his experiences as one of Santa's more
reluctant helpers 15 years ago. That reading launched his career as a
novelist, playwright and humorist.
Need more? See:
Other featured NPR pieces by David Sedaris
All NPR pieces by David Sedaris
Posted by cseeman at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2007
SUCCESSFUL TOYS FOR TOTS HOLIDAY CONCERT (Fiddlers ReStrung's Hometown Concert - December 2, 2007)
SUCCESSFUL TOYS FOR TOTS HOLIDAY CONCERT (Fiddlers ReStrung's Hometown Concert - December 2, 2007)
Press release recapping the concert - it was a great event!
SALINE - The beginning of the holiday season serves as inspiration for what each of us hopes to keep in our hearts all year long: helping those in need. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program, which has benefited over 173 million needy children since its inception. The Saline Fire Department has helped local children for many years and extended their efforts to include surrounding communities since their alliance six years ago with the Marine Corps’ Program. In collaboration with those efforts, Fiddlers ReStrung, a high school fiddle group sponsored by Saline Area Schools, joined in the collection efforts this year as they hosted a Hometown Holiday Benefit Concert to kick-off the Saline Fire Department’s campaign drive. Saline Fire Chief Craig Hoeft remarks, “It is always great to work with Fiddlers ReStrung and the talented young men and women who work so hard, yet make it look so easy. Thanks to Mrs. Freeman and her choir who have helped us out every time we ask, which is quite often. Most of all, it is always a great feeling to help someone in need, but an even better feeling to help a child in need.?
Posted by cseeman at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2007
7 and a half cents
Sounds like the old song from Pajama Game...
Op-Ed Contributor to the New York Times
Penny Foolish
By ERIC SCHLOSSER
Published: November 29, 2007
Telling Burger King to pay an extra penny for tomatoes and provide a decent wage to migrant workers would hardly bankrupt the company.
--see link for full editorial--
Seems hard to believe that a single penny a pound could put a crimp on Burger King. But maybe that is the way of the world.
For members of the Ross Community - check out the Company Databases for more details.
This is one of the main reasons I give to the United Way via the University of Michigan. There are far too many people who have it tough.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2007
Fiddlers ReStrung Fall Hometown Concert
The Fiddlers ReStrung, the fiddle group affiliated with the Saline Area Schools, will have their Fall Hometown Concert on Sunday December 2nd in Saline at 2pm. This is one fantastic group of performers and the concert will be a blast. Here are the details
Hometown Holiday Benefit Concert
Saline Fire Department's Kick-off for Toys for Tots (Bring a new unwrapped toy!)
Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
Saline High School, 1300 Campus Parkway
Also featuring Saline Middle School Fiddle Club, Saline High School Choir, and the Lonesome County Band
Posted by cseeman at 07:36 AM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2007
Swept Away (lost games in the baseball playoffs)!
Just thinking about the baseball playoffs and World Series this year.
How much revenue was lost because the winning team scored sweeps in 5 of 7 of the series. The series losing teams only won a total of four games (one by the Yankees and three by the Indians).
Out of a total of 41 scheduled playoff and world series games, they played ONLY 24.
Will add information as it is available!
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 07:01 AM | Comments (0)
October 03, 2007
Message to Rep Tim Walberg on the SCHIP Legislation
Sent today - 10-3-2007
Congressman Walberg - I would hope and trust that as you are representing a district with significant unemployment and under-employment (what I might refer to as people who are working multiple part-time jobs or jobs without full benefits), that you reconsider your opposition to the expansion of SCHIP.
This bill would not effect me in the least as I would not qualify for this program and have health insurance through my work. However, at the end of the day, it is clear to me that the GOP and White House opposition to this bill stems from a few people moving off private insurance to this program. You can only be seen as supporting the profits of private insurance companies over the rights of working families.
If you viewed all programs as flawed because of problems at the margins, then we would never fund any of the war in Iraq because of waste and corruption in the contracts issued by the Pentagon.
Again, as a member of YOUR district, I strongly encourage you to consider the middle class families for whom the purchase of additional insurance is not a viable option.
Sincerely, Corey Seeman Saline, MI
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 07:47 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2007
Fiddlers ReStrung Rummage Sale
The Fiddlers ReStrung, the fiddle group affiliated with the Saline Area Schools, will have a fund raiser on Saturday September 29th in Saline.
We are going to have a craft, rummage, and bake sale on the 29th in the Liberty School to fund some of the projects and trips these talented musicians want to have this year.
If you are in the area, it should be a blast.
Rummage Sale
Saline Liberty School (old Middle School)
Saturday September 29, 2007
8am-5pm
The long haired cellist is Jeremy!
Here is the map to the school:
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 11:25 AM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2007
Now that is Marketing
Ordered a sample of Folgers coffee today on the web. When I filled out the form, I had the option of adding this offer to my blog!
Now while I am not keen on selling out (I am much more of a Lavazza coffee man myself, I am really interested in the incorporation of the peer to peer marketing from blogs. It's almost like they are building a mouth-to-mouth or blog-to-blog marketing campaign and making it easy in the meanwhile.
But since the net result is free coffee, I guess I will pander myself. Sounds like a bumper sticker "Will lower ethics for coffee"
Here it is:
Posted by cseeman at 06:40 AM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2007
Need to go on vacation
So when you are thinking that we in the United States really do not get away for vacation, we now have proof that it is the case. Having access to email on vacation and cell phones can make things easier to get back to, when you are back from the break, but it can also kinda defeat the purpose of the break!
The European Trade Union Institute for Research, Education and Health and Safety issued a report entitled Employment "Policy Brief: No vacation nation USA – a comparison of leave and holiday in OECD countries." There are some staggering numbers, including that we have (in the United States) NO mandatory paid leave. This makes us different from all the other 21 European countries profiled in the report (see page 3).
Kinda makes you want to leave the laptop behind from time to time.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic! , Management PhilosophyPosted by cseeman at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2007
Who has real friends?
I guess at the end of the day, Scooter Libby has better friends than Paris Hilton. Not sure why she spent three weeks in jail and Libby spent none.
Pretty pathetic.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 06:12 AM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2007
Parable of the Mustard Seed
I have been thinking a great deal about the Indian parable about the Mustard Seed. Our family is facing the end of life and I am trying to remember the comforting thoughts I needed when I was a kid. I lost two grandparents when I was around 10-11 and lost another just before I was married at age 23. I never knew my maternal grandmother as he left the family when my mother was young.
Found this neat page from Plochman's Mustard that includes the religious associations of the mustard seed. The search links are wrong - try this: http://www.google.com/search?q=mustard+buddha. This is a nice version of the story.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 07:18 AM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2007
Gas Boycott
There has been a great deal written about the supposed Gas Boycott to be held on Tuesday May 15, 2007.
Maybe the whole concept it backwards. I will look this up later, but maybe instead of boycotting gas, something our cars need, on a certain day, maybe we change the way that we consume gas. This will have a longer and more clear message and effect on the pricing.
But another thing. I need to figure out how much a gas station, and in turn the oil company, makes on non-gas purchases. I am guilty of stopping in Speedway for a hot dog or two, a coffee and a Hershey Bar.
I wonder if everyone stopped shopping at the gas station stores, if this might not send a more clear message. Maybe we can all make coffee at home, or buy snacks at a grocery store instead. I know my kids love the freedom that you get when you can pickup any snack you want...but if I am giving them $30 to fill up my little Chevy Prizm, do I really want to give them an additional $6 for coffee and a few snacks?
Food for thought.
P.S. BP now has this ad campaign saying they are a fun place to get gas...dude, the fumes must be pretty bad in that Marketing Department.
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2007
The Ann Arbor Dance Classics Benefit Show
What is pretty amazing is what we do when we are not feeling very confident out our skills. When I speak on library issues, I can go on forever without a script and I have the confidence what I am saying is pretty close to the truth! OK, maybe a bit better than that.
I was working with my sister-in-law's dance studio (Ann Arbor Dance Classics) for their annual benefit show. For the first time, she had some live musicals (my brother in law Steve) and a narrator to tie to story of Jazz together. What is just amazing is when you do not have the confidence in the subject, it is just harder to pull off! I have also played in the Nutcracker three years in a row as Droselmeyer (which has been a blast). Somehow, I had the confidence to do that!
The script is in the extended entry.
Continue reading "The Ann Arbor Dance Classics Benefit Show"
This entry was posted in the following categories: Completely Off Topic!Posted by cseeman at 09:13 PM | Comments (0)
December 27, 2006
Violin Status Report -- One Year Out!
I sent this to the Begining Adult Violin Study email list on Yahoo Groups.
In the sprit of the discussion of what people are working on, thought I would share where I am as I ended my first year with the violin. I received the violin last year from Christmas and have been taking lessons for a full year. I will definitely be continuing in the new year and enjoy it very much.
I am not sure if this is slow or not, but I am about to start the Suzuki Volume 2 book with my teacher next week. Volume 1 was not all I did during the year, but also picked up a number of easy Christmas songs via Virtual Sheet Music and my cellist son is arranging things for me from time to time. For Christmas, he gave me a set of Carols for Violin and cello or piano (his two instruments) and it has been fun to play. What I have been trying to do is not to number the fingers in the new music to see if I can do it. I find myself still thinking about the numbering a great deal and need the visual clue from the music to really play. But hopefully I will be able to pick that up during the first half of the year.
The hardest part is keeping going. I am balancing stuff around the house, the kids (13 and 11), and work. I just received a great office at work (along with a bigger job), but it is not soundproof (quite the contrary as it shares a heat vent with another office) so I cannot play at work during breaks. I also do not want to be compared to Nero, but maybe Jefferson! Because of scheduling conflicts, I am already missing two lessons on January.
I will be moving to Volume 2 in Suzuki this year and hope to finish by next Christmas. My goals is to be good enough by fall 2008 to either run for president OR audition for one of the community orchestras around here. There is a community orchestra in Dexter (a town not that far from me) and two at the University of Michigan. My cats (both around 7 months old) love when I play violin because they like to jump in the case. So that is another incentive!
Thanks for letting me indulge. I know if I used this time with the violin and bow, I would be getting better, but it is nice to provide a base-line for 2007.
Best wishes for your musical pursuits in 2007.
Corey
Corey Seeman
Saline, Michigan
cseeman@umich.edu
Posted by cseeman at 07:32 AM | Comments (0)
