Brain Blenders

You can get it your way...as long as it's our way too.

Do you read much? I read a lot, well comics count don't they? But I like to read my stuff in "unconventional" forms. It's still actual words I'm reading, I'm not drinking books, or having them translated into the songs of dolphins, but I don't get a kick from actual paper anymore. No...I like to download books to my computers or my PDA, or my PSP...even audibly sent to the iPod is awesome - I realize that's not really reading - but it is conventional in my world. And you can thank people like me for the innovation that will eventually lead to us injecting the work right in to our bodies. That will be a happy day when I can finally get some boring poetry in me. Anyway, I find it completely ironic that B. Joseph Pine II's (slightly pretentious right?) book about Mass Customization is only available for purchase in bound edition.

The book that SHOULD be available in the most consumerific of ways is only available in actual print? Wow. Even if they sent it to me...I'm not reading it now. It probably extols the Etch-n-Sketch for it's advances in technology, and Pony for keeping ahead of the curve in their shoe design and connection to the consumer.

On this note...I realize that many consumers loves complete control over their purchasing - and companies are struggling mightily with the notion of offering more and more control, but at the same time - I would like to see the leaders of industry offer "one choice".

"Here is what we have...it comes in black. Hope you like it, it's the best possible product we have ever made, and we concentrated so hard on the design, function, and deliverables that we decided if you didn't want it in black you just didn't want it - period." Enjoy

They copped my style

Much love to Reveries, the great site that sends out Cool News 5 days a week. I've been receiving the email for a couple of years, and really like the articles. They are definitely category leaders when it comes to what Seth Godin and Reveries bunch provide, but - THEY HAVE TOTALLY COPPED MY STYLE!!!

Hit that screen-shot to see what their "new" email looks like now. That is the EXACT format I've been sending BrainMail out in for well over 2 years. Not a close replica, but exactly. This is how I know...I use the same email manager that they use TrueFire's MailDog. Listen, I'm not complaining that Reveries is now using the same template for their emails that I use for mine...just don't forget who was here first! Yeah yeah...I know - tell that to everybody who showed up first only to be trumped by whoever came after and better.

Bitter, table of one.

Mint & Chocolate Toothpaste

I've been in a "try every different" product kind of mode lately...hoping to find the recipe for NEW. Different shampoos, Redline Energy Drink, specialty nuts at Whole Foods, Beef Jerky Crisps, Eco Wal Mart, you name it.

Tonight, however I tried one that will NOT make the keeper list - Fructodent Mint & Chocolate toothpaste. This stuff, while it tastes EXACTLY like Mint and Chocolate is just wrong. Had I really thought about it I would have made the correct call and gone with, oh I don't know...Cinnamon. But instead I wanted different, new, exciting, and ended up with frosting as toothpaste. There goes $2.95 of a bad decision. I might try something a little less far out next time...like opossum and catfish.

Don't be scared

It took me a long time, but I finally did it. And I never really thought I would...I mean, come on it's been so many years without it. And I seem to have managed just fine in my life in spite of not doing this. But I guess every man's time finally comes and he has to look in the mirror and answer the call. I got a manicure.

Don't worry Mom...I'm ok, I mean it was touch and go there for a while. But I pulled through and came out better for it. Kim Tran didn’t even need the Dremmel like I thought she would, however the toes would have been another subject altogether.

See, I am out of town for a couple of days and a client of mine said come on, let’s get a MANicure. His belief is that nobody should pay for their first manicure….so he sponsored me. By the way two American males over 6 feet tall, 200 pounds walking in to a beauty salon to get their nails done still raises an eye in Dallas, TX apparently.

Here's the before picture.

So I went with it...never having been one to even take much time to cut my nails, I normally accomplish the task at work, while on the phone - much to the dismay of a co-worker (sorry Jen). Therefore I thought there was going to be much blood shed, but even though she cut off nearly a pound of flash from my ragged fingers I didn't even ooze a bit.

Here is how it turned out.

Interestingly the women in the salon were all extremely supportive of the notion. Several commented that they wished their husbands would get the "procedure" done in order to make them look more polished, so to speak. Even though I would recommend any many getting this done, I don't think I'll make it a habit...no need to go overboard you know.

Don't go cheap

I had a key learning tonight.

When I was throwing some refuse away and noticed that one of the trash bags that we had purchased was folded up inside the can with "trash-juice" everywhere. It reminded me that generic can liners suck. There are some products you just should not skimp on.

Those are as follows: Trash bags, chips, cereal, shoes, hats, sunglasses, baggage, headphones, cellular.

Stuff you can completely go "Sav-a-lot" on are: socks, underwear, haircuts, tires, cameras, pop tarts, milk, juice,  televisions.

What else?