1. The Riots- A symbol of a crumbling society (the fall of the Roman empire was caused by internal strife," R. O’R.) where out of desperation we almost turned to that paranoid little tyrant H. Ross, and where we finally put that twerp (Danny BOY) back on the streets, or in his case, the country club where he belongs.
2. Night 5 of 5 nights in ecstasy with Bob Dylan. "Every Grain of Sand" and "Visions of Johanna?” Get out Man!
3. Best Release: Dylan's Good As I've Been To You (an obvious choice but could there be another?) To hear him sing "Frog Went' A-Courtin" (ah hah)- Get out Woman! Consolation Prize: L7's Bricks Are Heavy, "The Pentagon turns us on."
4. Best Song: Shakespear's Sister's "I Don't Care". Want to hear what life is really about? Consolation Prize: Consolidated's "Infomodities.” Want to hear what politics is really about?
5. Best Movie: A League of Their Own. Who would have thought the merger of two of my loves, Madonna and baseball, would also include Tom Hanks muttering the line, "Baseball players don't cry."
6. Best Book: I forget the title but it had a silver metal cover and a whole bunch of pictures of naked people on the inside.
7. Best TV Show: The Simpsons. Hey, did you know they're just cartoons?! Consolation Prize: The Howard Stern Show. (RIP) Made from the finest things in nature.
8- Best Business Move: The Newsletter. Consolation Prize: A1 finally fulfilling his vision of the ultimate store, Landfill Records. Next year perhaps he will realize another dream, the combination sushi bar/bait shop-
9. Best News: Kirby re-signs, Winnie signs, Westie is gone, and Herbie has another beer.
10. Worst News: The Catholic Church caving in to public pressure and admitting Galileo might have had a point after all.
Monday, December 21, 1992
Monday, December 14, 1992
Holiday Notes
This was the first time in 28 years someone hasn’t come up to me on December 7th and made some kind of comment on Pearl Harbor Day. Might be because that day I was speaking on Asian American issues in front of 14 liberal women at that bastion of open mindedness, Macalester College. Leave it up to Dad and Mom though to come through with a wonderful story. Seems a dear friend of theirs invited them to a breakfast over at the Roseville American Legion Post. Later on, the same friend discovered the breakfast was being held as a memorial for that infamous day of 51 years ago. Mom and Dad didn't particularly feel it appropriate to have two elderly (but kind) oriental folks sitting amongst all the Veterans of the post. So they ate at Perkins instead.
********
A couple of comments from previous articles.. . A few weeks ago, Daryl, you mentioned George Harrison's (Billboard's Man of the Century) Wonderwall album. Back in the days when I collected -all things Beatle, I secured a copy of the album. Excited over my purchase (I had after all just listened to the Paul McCartney scored soundtrack to the movie The Family Way starring that koketish-SP? and what does that word mean anyway?, Hayley Mills), I put on side one. Shortly after I took off side one. Sounded suspiciously like someone was torturing cats with some hot table forks. My next Beatle related purchase was Ringo's The Fourth produced for the nose by Arif Mardin, bringing a Beatle into the Disco era (pre- "Goodnight Tonight" although post "Silly Love Songs"). Suffice it to say my interest in all things Beatle took a sudden nose dive.
********
I agreed with everything on your list, Emmett, with the exception of number three which read, "There never has been (and probably never will be) a song or a piece of music that everybody thinks is good." My nomination is McCartney's "This One". I defy anyone to truthfully dislike it. And if you say you do, it's your own loss so there…
********
DAVID'S X-MAS STORY: So a friend tells me to get into the mood of the season and buy myself a Christmas tree. We decide artificial was the way to go otherwise Max the Cat would probably gorge himself to nirvana. So I find myself in our friendly neighborhood Woolworth's looking at some really cheesy Christmas decorations. I had two choices in front of me: One was a four footer, a plain green effort. The other was a two footer complete with lights, ornaments and a star on top. So I settle for the more festive smaller version. Having just received my only ornament from my favorite mother of two, I place her gift on the tree and it nearly pulls the whole damn thing over. It is beginning to look a lot like ....
******** *
On our anniversary (which could be one of the few) I would like to take this space to thank all of you who have contributed. Keep up the great work! I would also like to thank the top brass of this company for not pulling the plug (yet) and for your continued support, Personally I would like to thank those of you who have commented on (and seemingly enjoyed) my musings. It's always nice to hear someone finds something in what you write. It's been a great outlet for me and J hope more of you take advantage of this space in the future.
********
A couple of comments from previous articles.. . A few weeks ago, Daryl, you mentioned George Harrison's (Billboard's Man of the Century) Wonderwall album. Back in the days when I collected -all things Beatle, I secured a copy of the album. Excited over my purchase (I had after all just listened to the Paul McCartney scored soundtrack to the movie The Family Way starring that koketish-SP? and what does that word mean anyway?, Hayley Mills), I put on side one. Shortly after I took off side one. Sounded suspiciously like someone was torturing cats with some hot table forks. My next Beatle related purchase was Ringo's The Fourth produced for the nose by Arif Mardin, bringing a Beatle into the Disco era (pre- "Goodnight Tonight" although post "Silly Love Songs"). Suffice it to say my interest in all things Beatle took a sudden nose dive.
********
I agreed with everything on your list, Emmett, with the exception of number three which read, "There never has been (and probably never will be) a song or a piece of music that everybody thinks is good." My nomination is McCartney's "This One". I defy anyone to truthfully dislike it. And if you say you do, it's your own loss so there…
********
DAVID'S X-MAS STORY: So a friend tells me to get into the mood of the season and buy myself a Christmas tree. We decide artificial was the way to go otherwise Max the Cat would probably gorge himself to nirvana. So I find myself in our friendly neighborhood Woolworth's looking at some really cheesy Christmas decorations. I had two choices in front of me: One was a four footer, a plain green effort. The other was a two footer complete with lights, ornaments and a star on top. So I settle for the more festive smaller version. Having just received my only ornament from my favorite mother of two, I place her gift on the tree and it nearly pulls the whole damn thing over. It is beginning to look a lot like ....
******** *
On our anniversary (which could be one of the few) I would like to take this space to thank all of you who have contributed. Keep up the great work! I would also like to thank the top brass of this company for not pulling the plug (yet) and for your continued support, Personally I would like to thank those of you who have commented on (and seemingly enjoyed) my musings. It's always nice to hear someone finds something in what you write. It's been a great outlet for me and J hope more of you take advantage of this space in the future.
The State of Us
I don't know, is it just me? Does anyone else feel the world has become less stable and safe since Superman died?
Yes, the newsletter has reached its half year anniversary. Time for some reflection and introspection, and our state of the newsletter address.
Last week the question was raised on what the focus of the newsletter is. I'll be the first to admit we have a slight problem with this vision thing. Early on I ran a survey asking for feedback, what people wanted this sucker to be. Let’s just say the response I got back was a little less than overwhelming. I know as editor one of my major weaknesses is generating ideas, shape and focus for the newsletter, I've asked people to contribute and the answer I get back most is, "What should I write about?" You want to see a scared, blank look... My philosophy has been to let people write about anything they want to. Hence in theory, it should be easier for people to write. The strength of this is people should feel they can write about what interests them, which in turn will produce their best writing. So if we all get to learn more about hemp, or the best summer of our lives, or Bob Dylan, so be it. I think a major purpose of the newsletter is to get to know our co-workers better and on that level-, I think we have done a good job. The weakness of this over riding philosophy is the newsletter has been a hodgepodge of recipes, silliness and way too much David.
So what should people write? I think a good example was included last week. Emmett's article on what he has learned over the past year while working at Cheapo was well written, pertinent, funny and entertaining. Daryl, Mark and Jason have been consistent contributors and their articles are always worth reading.
One more note: When I first interviewed for this position with Scott and I asked him what he expected from the newsletter, he said (and this is a quote/paraphrase), "If it turns into a place where people complain about Al and me, that's fine." Being an expert at making mistakes, I can say the best thing about them is it is one of the best ways to learn. I don't want the newsletter to focus solely (souly?) on things people don't like about working here. But I think that has a place in these pages. We are all lucky to be working for this organization. I see a sincere effort from the people on top to make this place a decent and worthwhile job for all of us. But if you, the employee, see an area that needs improvement, I think it is something everyone should be aware of; that only makes us all better retail personnel.
Yes, the newsletter has reached its half year anniversary. Time for some reflection and introspection, and our state of the newsletter address.
Last week the question was raised on what the focus of the newsletter is. I'll be the first to admit we have a slight problem with this vision thing. Early on I ran a survey asking for feedback, what people wanted this sucker to be. Let’s just say the response I got back was a little less than overwhelming. I know as editor one of my major weaknesses is generating ideas, shape and focus for the newsletter, I've asked people to contribute and the answer I get back most is, "What should I write about?" You want to see a scared, blank look... My philosophy has been to let people write about anything they want to. Hence in theory, it should be easier for people to write. The strength of this is people should feel they can write about what interests them, which in turn will produce their best writing. So if we all get to learn more about hemp, or the best summer of our lives, or Bob Dylan, so be it. I think a major purpose of the newsletter is to get to know our co-workers better and on that level-, I think we have done a good job. The weakness of this over riding philosophy is the newsletter has been a hodgepodge of recipes, silliness and way too much David.
So what should people write? I think a good example was included last week. Emmett's article on what he has learned over the past year while working at Cheapo was well written, pertinent, funny and entertaining. Daryl, Mark and Jason have been consistent contributors and their articles are always worth reading.
One more note: When I first interviewed for this position with Scott and I asked him what he expected from the newsletter, he said (and this is a quote/paraphrase), "If it turns into a place where people complain about Al and me, that's fine." Being an expert at making mistakes, I can say the best thing about them is it is one of the best ways to learn. I don't want the newsletter to focus solely (souly?) on things people don't like about working here. But I think that has a place in these pages. We are all lucky to be working for this organization. I see a sincere effort from the people on top to make this place a decent and worthwhile job for all of us. But if you, the employee, see an area that needs improvement, I think it is something everyone should be aware of; that only makes us all better retail personnel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
