Um, you really want my opinion?

The Bank of America chat help line is in fact, incredibly helpful.  They managed to transfer my chat window between two departments without losing me, and then they answered my questions patiently and solved my problem. The survey I was given at the end made me laugh though.  What kind of meaningful suggestion fits in…

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Returning An Enterprise Rent-A-Car At JFK Airport

[See update at bottom for Enterprise Rent-A-Car's response.] Be warned. If you ever have to return a car to Enterprise Rent-A-Car "at the JFK airport", here's a few things to note: Staff at both the Newark Penn Station Enterprise facility (where you might rent a one way rental and pay the $175 one way drop…

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My 42nd birthday

About one minute ago, I turned 42 on Facebook.  Not really, I use a "fake birthday" with all online services, since many parts of the financial world use your birthday as an identifier, but my birthday is in May, so close enough.  Thank you. I wrote a long post about how the world has turned…

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What fills the vacuum that journalism leaves?

Traditional journalism has a business model problem.  As these institutions die in some form, so does the style of reporting that we have long lauded as "journalism" and what fills it does not even approach fair or balance reporting. There's no sense wringing your hands over it, it's done. But maybe it's good in the…

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25 things about me

I joined this meme over on Facebook by posting this list, and thought it was worth repeating it here. 25 things about me Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:02pm 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. mu*…

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A new member of the family

FEBRUARY 5, 2009 (SAN FRANCISCO) – Last week saw the arrival of  Rivaleah Linda Imber Safdar.  Born in her parents' bed with mother, father, brother, two midwives and three friends in attendance, she has brought her family great joy. At 7 pounds 4 ounces delivered in a posterior position, her mother was heard to say,…

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How To Build A Cold Frame To Start Your Seedlings

God knows I’m a complete punter when it comes to building anything in my workshop, but I’m even worse at growing things, so when there’s work to be done on the house or in the yard, I’m the guy that uses the power tool to build things or (intentionally) kill things.  Given that our yard…

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Embrace change

My first day in the office of the new year is also the day I hung up my favorite art: a woodblock print of turbulent sea.  It's very much in the tradition of The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Hokusai.  In fact, it may be by Hokusai [Amazon link to book of his work], but…

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One of the best days of my life.

Eight years ago today I spoke these words in front of a few friends and family in St. Louis. I promise, to the end of my days, to take care of you; to return the love you've shown me threefold, and to always be your best supporter.  I look forward to a life of anticipating…

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