Mar 02
So at Macsupport.com, I have a really great girl named Sara doing Marketing for us. She’s smart, dedicated, hard-working and genuine. I’m grateful for having met her and for her agreeing to help us.
Sara came to us a few days ago with terrific news. The renowned gadget site Gizmodo had agreed to feature Macsupport.com in their “Dealzmodo” feature which offers discounts on tech related items. Gizmodo has a huge readership and it was a tremendous opportunity for the us.
So as the day approached, I walked into the office to see Sara with a sullen look on her face. She said that at the last minute, the editor decided to pull the offer and we were not being featured.
I suggested she write the editor and see what happened. Apparently someone without final approval powers had given her a thumbs up on our listing even though he should not have. She followed up by asking if there was anything we could do (such as offer their readers and even larger discount on our service) to be listed in a future “Dealzmodo” feature. Editor Jason Chen replied by accusing Sara of going behind his back and engineering our listing somehow.
That set me off.
I immediately began a series of emails to Mr. Chen asking him to clarify his position. His emails started out smug and became less and less comprehensible as he started backtracking on what he had originally told Sara. There was no logic to what he was saying and he could see that plainly. There was obviously a major screwup at Gizmodo and he was back peddling as quickly as possible.
A simple apology would have been enough, but he persisted to argue an illogical and factually incorrect point.
I ended the thread by telling him that we wanted nothing to do with Gizmodo and his actions had been unprofessional and classless.
Unfortunate as Gizmodo was one of my favorite sites and one that I checked multiple times a day.
Learning a little bit about the person at the top left such a bad taste in my mouth, I won’t be going back again.
Tagged with: Gizmodo • Jason Chen
Jan 28
Very sad day. One of my literary heroes, J.D. Salinger has passed away at the age of 91.
As an awkward 13 year old boy, I gravitated towards his novel “Catcher in the Rye” and it became the book I would read over and over to this day. “Catcher” is the story of a young man who is seemingly at odds with the world. It’s part coming of age, part teenage angst and part statement on society in general. It is a true masterpiece.
Salinger spent the latter part of his life in seclusion and shunned every attempt at media or public interaction. He wanted very much to be left alone and for the most part, people respected his wishes. For his entire life, Salinger was very protective of the “Catcher in the Rye” legacy and refuse to allow it to be used in film, television or any capacity other than how he intended it.
I will again pick up my copy of “Catcher” tonight and read it. The copy was printed in 1962 and it looks and feels like the classic it is. Tonight though, it will have an even more special meaning to me.
Rest in Peace, sir.
“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”
Tagged with: Catcher in the Rye • J.D. Salinger
Jan 19
People often compare Steve Jobs to Henry Ford or Howard Hughes.
Neither of these comparisons are accurate.
Steve Jobs is Willy Wonka.
Tagged with: Steve Jobs
Jan 11
Mark McGwire finally admitted today that he used steroids heavily throughout the 1990’s including his record-breaking year of 1998. McGwire had previously denied allegations and dodged direct questions about steroids. He refused to discuss the issue when called before Congress and has not spoken publicly about the topic since the hearings.
Today’s admission has much more to do with his lackluster showing in the recent Hall of Fame balloting than it does with his being forthright or honest with the fans.
McGwire certainly had the numbers to at least be considered for the Hall of Fame, but his shameful actions and even more shameful denials have kept him out of the Hall and has caused a backlash among voters.
McGwire is only one in a long line of Baseball starts who have either admitted to, been accused or are under heavy speculation about steroid use. The list includes: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi, Raphael Palmiero, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.
What’s most troubling about the whole sordid story is how it effects the Hall of Fame. As Simon turns 6 he’s starting to gain a good understanding of baseball and is starting to follow certain players. I hope to take him to the Hall of Fame one day and see some of the stars of the past. The sad part is that on our next trip to Cooperstown The All-Time HomeRun leader, Single Season HomeRun leader and All-Time Hits leader will not be represented due to their transgressions. The record books are now littered with individuals who cheated the game in one aspect or another which has forced their preclusion from Baseball’s most prestigious honor. As usual, it’s the fans who really lose out, but isn’t that always the case.
It’s because we care more than they do.
Tagged with: Baseball • Hall of Fame • Mark McGwire
