Friday, March 1, 2013

Day 1172

I was writing an article about business reorganization today and it got me thinking about how difficult it is to actually transform a company. I've tried to transform my own company several times, but I always ended up with something that looked exactly the same as the original company I started over twenty years ago. Maybe it would be easier to change if I had no real convictions about what I did in the first place. The problem is that there are certain things I like to do and other things I don't. Don't get me wrong. I'm no prima donna. I do plenty of things I don't particularly like. I just don't go out of my way to find them. Why should I go out of my way to adapt to the needs of a changing market in a world where Duck Dynasty and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo are two of the most popular shows on television. I feel sorry for that guy who is trying desperately to transform J.C. Penny into another kind of Apple store. It just isn't going to work. People who shop at J.C. Penny watch Duck Dynasty and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.

I've noticed that maple syrup, whipping cream, Mallo Cups, and other sweet treats are lasting a lot longer around the house. I've really cut down on my sugar consumption. I didn't always have a sweet tooth, but one of my doctors told me that when I quit drinking my body was determined to get the sugar that it used to quickly convert from alcohol any way it could. I'm sure that this battle isn't over yet, but for the time being, I think I'm winning.

My German client liked the wastewater treatment article I sent them the other day. Too bad they don't fly me to Germany to write these things anymore. I'm still trying to get them to take me to a big conference in Rio with them this Fall, but chances of that happening are pretty slim. I'm just an e-mail attachment to most people these days.

I got a new set of antique plates for the old Maserati in the mail today. These plates last for five years and this is the third set I've gotten since the car initially became eligible for antique plates. Doing a few rough calculations, I realized that the car has been sitting in the shop for almost ten years now.  Since my mechanic isn't getting any younger either, I have my doubts that I'll ever drive the thing again. I'm not even sure that I even want to drive the car again. If the repairs ever get finished, I'll have to pay for them. On the other hand, if the car never runs again, I'm going to have a hard time selling it. I can't believe that my 1995 Defender 90 is actually my new car. Both of these cars are newer than my Nikon film cameras though. I could start my own dinosaur museum.

Lucky is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day