I just finished a book entitled "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, especially for us punctuation sticklers.
If you'd like to brush up on your punctuation, this is a painless way to do it and get a few laughs. This will be particularly amusing to those who can appreciate British humor. Americans beware! You may find out you've been punctuating incorrectly - this author is spot on!
I'll be reading and reporting on similar books in the near future.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Ukraine International Airlines vs. Big US Airlines
If you had to pit Ukraine International Airlines against Big US Airlines, which do you think would be the winner, hands down? By the way, the name of Big US Airlines has been changed because, hey - maybe I can work for them someday and help them with their Goofs.
Before my trip to Ukraine, (and so you know - it's not "The Ukraine"; that's like saying "The England") my tummy was doing flip flops wondering what kind of flight it was going to be on my trip from Odessato Vienna. Would it be safe? Was the plane, like, 50 years old? How silly I was to even begin to worry. Of the 40 hours of travel on my trip, the 5 1/2 hour leg from Portland, OR to Washington DC was the worst. Apart from the turbulence which kept us buckled up in our seats, don't-you-dare-get-up-and-use-the-toilet kind of turbulence which lasted for 85% of the flight, we cattle class passengers suffered even further humility. 5 1/2 hours and the best Big US Airlines could offer was a free non-alcoholic drink, the tiniest bag of mystery crunchies, and the opportunity to purchase a boxful of food samples (aka: snack box).
Oh, but what about the movie on board? That should help you pass the time - in theory. That is, if their equipment was working. Halfway through "Hairspray" they decided to pack in their effort to get sound. And the staff - not the most pleasant bunch. They were, however, very talented at eye rolls and "pee at your own risk" type comments.
So why bring up Ukraine International? Because on that flight, passengers were treated like people. It was a 2 1/2 hour flight to Vienna and on this flight, we were fed very fresh complimentary sandwich rolls which were served very graciously by the flight crew.
Why the difference in service? I wonder if the price of a few sandwiches and attention to technical details (movies, for instance) would more than cover the cost of turnover rate of flight staff, the strikes that occur from time to time and the endless stream of complaints from passengers. What does the price of a sandwich really cost?
The future of air travel doesn't look great. We may already be living our future. It's worse than riding in a bus, except for the privilege few who can afford the upper classes (although I hear that service has been downgraded as well). International travel is especially excruciating and I found myself wondering if passengers wouldn't be looking for alternative methods of travel - like a ship, or a train. Oh wait - isn't that what we used to use? Before planes? Maybe that's just what we need - travel which makes us slow down, look out the window and see what we're missing...
Before my trip to Ukraine, (and so you know - it's not "The Ukraine"; that's like saying "The England") my tummy was doing flip flops wondering what kind of flight it was going to be on my trip from Odessato Vienna. Would it be safe? Was the plane, like, 50 years old? How silly I was to even begin to worry. Of the 40 hours of travel on my trip, the 5 1/2 hour leg from Portland, OR to Washington DC was the worst. Apart from the turbulence which kept us buckled up in our seats, don't-you-dare-get-up-and-use-the-toilet kind of turbulence which lasted for 85% of the flight, we cattle class passengers suffered even further humility. 5 1/2 hours and the best Big US Airlines could offer was a free non-alcoholic drink, the tiniest bag of mystery crunchies, and the opportunity to purchase a boxful of food samples (aka: snack box).
Oh, but what about the movie on board? That should help you pass the time - in theory. That is, if their equipment was working. Halfway through "Hairspray" they decided to pack in their effort to get sound. And the staff - not the most pleasant bunch. They were, however, very talented at eye rolls and "pee at your own risk" type comments.
So why bring up Ukraine International? Because on that flight, passengers were treated like people. It was a 2 1/2 hour flight to Vienna and on this flight, we were fed very fresh complimentary sandwich rolls which were served very graciously by the flight crew.
Why the difference in service? I wonder if the price of a few sandwiches and attention to technical details (movies, for instance) would more than cover the cost of turnover rate of flight staff, the strikes that occur from time to time and the endless stream of complaints from passengers. What does the price of a sandwich really cost?
The future of air travel doesn't look great. We may already be living our future. It's worse than riding in a bus, except for the privilege few who can afford the upper classes (although I hear that service has been downgraded as well). International travel is especially excruciating and I found myself wondering if passengers wouldn't be looking for alternative methods of travel - like a ship, or a train. Oh wait - isn't that what we used to use? Before planes? Maybe that's just what we need - travel which makes us slow down, look out the window and see what we're missing...
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Election results - Clark County , WA
As far as elections go, you win some, you lose some. About 50% of the voting went my way. My way, meaning, I got 50% of what I wanted by participating as a voter.
Which brings me to the main subject at hand. Where were the voters? What an abysmal turnout! I get passing on a referendum here and a council position there - especially if you don't know anything about it or the person running. I passed on a couple issues. I wasn't confident enough to vote one way or the other. However, there was plenty to understand. So I ask you - and you know who you are - why didn't you vote?
Camas- let's pick on you. For a year, your neighborhoods, your papers and your mailboxes were littered with propaganda regarding the election for mayor. This hot race sparked media interest beyond your town's borders. However, only 3667 Camas voters were moved enough to check their mail-in ballot for the candidate of choice. (By the way, I didn't get to vote for the Camas mayor because I live in neighboring Washougal, but I believe the best person won - congratulations Paul Dennis!)
Approximately 18,000 people live in Camas. Where were they on voting day? Did everyone go fishing? Is the price of a $ .41 stamp too much? Did you lose your way to the ballot box?
I want to know what it will take to motivate people to vote. I want to know why they don't.
Which brings me to the main subject at hand. Where were the voters? What an abysmal turnout! I get passing on a referendum here and a council position there - especially if you don't know anything about it or the person running. I passed on a couple issues. I wasn't confident enough to vote one way or the other. However, there was plenty to understand. So I ask you - and you know who you are - why didn't you vote?
Camas- let's pick on you. For a year, your neighborhoods, your papers and your mailboxes were littered with propaganda regarding the election for mayor. This hot race sparked media interest beyond your town's borders. However, only 3667 Camas voters were moved enough to check their mail-in ballot for the candidate of choice. (By the way, I didn't get to vote for the Camas mayor because I live in neighboring Washougal, but I believe the best person won - congratulations Paul Dennis!)
Approximately 18,000 people live in Camas. Where were they on voting day? Did everyone go fishing? Is the price of a $ .41 stamp too much? Did you lose your way to the ballot box?
I want to know what it will take to motivate people to vote. I want to know why they don't.
Friday, November 2, 2007
It's just a scratch
I was at one of those crazy intersections where the light changes too quickly for everyone to clear the intersection. I got clear, but this kid in a red pickup truck made a dash, trying to make it across before the red - well, he overestimated his speed. I saw him coming and I knew exactly what was going to happen.
Yep. Right into me. We pulled over which gave the looky loos some fodder. Luckily, all my van got was a small scratch and some rubber bumper residue. The kid was shook up. All politeness and not a little bit scared. So I said, "Hey. We were lucky. You were lucky. You know what to do from now on." And that was that. It felt good not to be one of those folks looking for a reason to sue somebody. It felt good to give a kid a break - especially since I think it will take some time for him to get over the shock. Hopefully it will be a wakeup call and someday, maybe he'll Pay It Forward and give someone else a break.
In a situation like the one I just experienced, if we all put a bumper scratch into perspective, maybe society could get a little bit nicer. And maybe insurance can get a little bit cheaper...one can hope.
Yep. Right into me. We pulled over which gave the looky loos some fodder. Luckily, all my van got was a small scratch and some rubber bumper residue. The kid was shook up. All politeness and not a little bit scared. So I said, "Hey. We were lucky. You were lucky. You know what to do from now on." And that was that. It felt good not to be one of those folks looking for a reason to sue somebody. It felt good to give a kid a break - especially since I think it will take some time for him to get over the shock. Hopefully it will be a wakeup call and someday, maybe he'll Pay It Forward and give someone else a break.
In a situation like the one I just experienced, if we all put a bumper scratch into perspective, maybe society could get a little bit nicer. And maybe insurance can get a little bit cheaper...one can hope.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
A Goof Proofer goes to the Ukraine
Have you ever had a trip planned and even though you are still two weeks from leaving, you start developing short-timers syndrome? That's what I've got right now. I am ready to get on that plane and go!
I'm so excited about an upcoming project, I just have to share it with you.
I am a member of The Jewish Business Network located in Vancouver, WA. Besides being a network of business people developing business relationships, the JBN works hard to provide support to our local Jewish families and our extended family in Odessa, Ukraine. Which leads me to The Project...
As a representative of the JBN, this Goof Proofer is heading for the Ukraine to visit the 'Good Family' orphanage located in Odessa. I've traveled before in Europe, but this is the farthest East that I've ever traveled. I'm leaving this month with a colleague, another member of our Network. Our mission is to meet the administrators and children who work and live in the orphanage. The purpose is to learn about the operation, determine needs and bring home multimedia materials which will be compiled for a presentation.
This presentation, by the way, will be given at the JBN's annual fund raising event - a Monte Carlo night on February 9th. Anyone interested in attending the event should log on here for more information.
Look for a later posting where I promise to tell you all about the trip. I bet you're quaking in your boots with excitement...
I'm so excited about an upcoming project, I just have to share it with you.
I am a member of The Jewish Business Network located in Vancouver, WA. Besides being a network of business people developing business relationships, the JBN works hard to provide support to our local Jewish families and our extended family in Odessa, Ukraine. Which leads me to The Project...
As a representative of the JBN, this Goof Proofer is heading for the Ukraine to visit the 'Good Family' orphanage located in Odessa. I've traveled before in Europe, but this is the farthest East that I've ever traveled. I'm leaving this month with a colleague, another member of our Network. Our mission is to meet the administrators and children who work and live in the orphanage. The purpose is to learn about the operation, determine needs and bring home multimedia materials which will be compiled for a presentation.
This presentation, by the way, will be given at the JBN's annual fund raising event - a Monte Carlo night on February 9th. Anyone interested in attending the event should log on here for more information.
Look for a later posting where I promise to tell you all about the trip. I bet you're quaking in your boots with excitement...
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Purpose of this Blog
Greetings! Welcome to the Goof Proof Services blog.
I've organized this feature for my website so I can share the company and my thoughts on all things business and otherwise. In this blog, I will share concepts that I've learned along the way as I work my business, as well as showcase businesses I come across that I think are just plain cool.
I've no plans for a day-to-day theme. Keep checking and look for surprises!
Stephanie Hatton
President
Goof Proof Services, LLC
I've organized this feature for my website so I can share the company and my thoughts on all things business and otherwise. In this blog, I will share concepts that I've learned along the way as I work my business, as well as showcase businesses I come across that I think are just plain cool.
I've no plans for a day-to-day theme. Keep checking and look for surprises!
Stephanie Hatton
President
Goof Proof Services, LLC
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