Stories from the Sales Frontlines

bwia · February 2013

If in the Kingston area (southern part of the island, there is always a nice southern breeze off the ocean. If you will be in the northern part of the island over the mountains, it can get much hotter there.

Well, the wedding will be at at the 5-star IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica; which is on the North West coast of the island. I don't know what they were thinking to schedule a wedding in July in Jamaica, but I believe it was probably to keep the guest count down.

venture · February 2013

is there anything better tasting than movie popcorn?

When I was an usher (remember them?) one of my tasks was going to a store room on the balcony (remember them?) level, getting a gigantic plastic bag of pre-popped popcorn, and dragging it downstairs for the candy girl to scoop into the big machine.

I don't know why, but you're right. It is good.

roadburner · February 2013

Some programs are fine but some are not. I have heard that the new super thin led tv's have poor sound quality...maybe a sound bar would help? Any ideas?

My Pioneer has surprisingly decent speakers, but our 42" Panasonic has absolutely horrible sound quality. I think that a good sound bar would be a great improvement over most any current TV's built-in speakers. Vizio makes some nice budget units, while I'd look at Boston Acoustics, Klipsch and Outlaw Audio if I wanted to spend over $500.

roadburner · February 2013

Last week I received an invitation to test drive a Mercedes. It was mailed from the local dealer- it's not a national or regional promotion. I'll get a $100(!) gift card to a very nice local restaurant. I've never shopped Mercedes, so I can only think they are trying to pick up some conquests sales from BMW. It will be interesting to see what happens...

Kirstie_H · February 2013

1) I have the same problem with hearing dialogue on TV... got a new LED, but haven't hooked up the soundbar, yet... .as we still need a proper stand.. (of course, I can't hear the wife while I'm reading the newspaper, either..) Hopefully, the soundbar will help some.

Are you hooking up a soundbar to your wife as well? :P

driver100 · February 2013

The explosion even caught Townsend's hair on fire- you can see him putting it out right before he smashes Tommy Smothers' guitar

Well, I don't know. I prefer music before my generation I guess. I didn't like it when my father listened to it, but I like it now. Patti Page, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Four Lads, and even up to the 70s, with a few lighter songs up to the present including John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Eagles etc.

I am not so sure about the breaking the guitars stuff, the first time it was spectacular, but now it seems to have jumped the shark.

houdini1 · February 2013

Thanks RB. Being rather fugal, I will check out the Vizio.

driver100 · February 2013

20 minutes of previews and advertisements we are forced to sit through. It used to be two or three previews but now it's six or more!

I have read it in many publications that the movie theatres make all their profit from the concession stand.

The last movie we saw they showed previews for about 6 upcoming movies, and each preview seemed worse and worse.

After about the 4th really bad upcoming preview showing lots of crashes and people being shot to death all the noise stopped and you could hear a voice clearly say, "Oh no, I hope they're not going to show another one".

driver100 · February 2013

The film is considered a loss leader to get you in the door to buy popcorn, nachos and soda.

With my new diet plan the theatres aren't making anything off me then.

driver100 · February 2013

just wouldn't be the same without those large buckets of movie popcorn w/butter and those huge Diet Cokes.

Isn't that an oxymoron? What's the point of getting a diet coke and 1200 calorie buttered popcorn. (men probably burn 2500 calories a day so it doesn't leave much more you can eat that day)

If you make popcorn at home in a microwave popping dish (costs about $12 at a discount department store) the popcorn will have about 150 calories, it will taste better, it will have less bad fats (76 to 97 grams, more than 6 McDonalds cheeseburgers), and it will have a lot less chemicals added to it, to give it that real buttery taste. (I call theatre popcorn with popcorn with chemical topping). It will cost about 1/20th to make too, and you can try to sneak it into the show, and take a small bottle of no cal water in with you too.

I hate ruining people's fun, but I can't do that any more.
Movie popcorn

driver100 · February 2013

Unless the Brits were drafting men that young at the end of the war (and they may have been) he would have been ineligible.

My mistake gogi.......I meant that he lived through WWII and experienced air raids etc. And, that is why he won't buy German cars. If he was to buy a luxury car he would get a Jaguar or Rover I guess, it would have to be British.

But, they don't like to spend money if they don't have to, so he buys a GM, usually Chev vehicle but only when the car they have is absolutely falling apart.

driver100 · February 2013

Went to a Yankee vs Blue Jays game in Tampa this afternoon. It was 80 and cloudy, perfect weather for baseball. 2 to 0 for Blue Jays.

hoosiergrandad · February 2013

Re: 20 minutes of previews......

Try showing up at 7:20 for the 7:00 PM show.

Works for me.......

roadburner · February 2013

Here are a few soundbars that I'd look at:

Vizio SB4021M-A1- $275
Vizio VHT215- $150(discontinued but still available
Vizio VSB210WS- $180(ditto)

All have subwoofers and accept digital input from the TV.

You might also check out the Yamaha YAS-101; the sub is built in and setup is painless- $250 from Amazon.

kyfdx · February 2013

PolkAudio is what I bought. Their cheaper model (3000?). Comes with a wireless subwoofer. Recently marked down to $249 at Best Buy and other retailers. Don't have it hooked up yet, but sounded better in the store than the TV brands.

kyfdx · February 2013

No soundbar for the wife. Not sure I'm missing anything..

kyfdx · February 2013

Even if your cable company sucks, HD is worth it. You don't have to spend a lot. $580 for a nice LG 46" LED. Buy a BlueRay player and rent movies, if you don't want to pay the cable company.

abacomike · February 2013

I hate ruining people's fun, but I can't do that any more.

Thanks, *driver! You didn't ruin my day, just the rest of my life! Now, I'll never be able to eat movie popcorn again. Couldn't you just not say anything? Did you have to post the 1700 calories in a tub of movie popcorn. I'm ruined for life!

stickguy · February 2013

we get the popcorn when we go most of the time, but always pass on the grease coating. So not near as bad for you!

abacomike · February 2013

. I don't know what they were thinking to schedule a wedding in July in Jamaica, but I believe it was probably to keep the guest count down.

That part of Jamaica is truly a Garden of Eden. I've been there and I can tell you you won't be disappointed. The northwest shore is truly a paradise - you'll love it!

abacomike · February 2013

we get the popcorn when we go most of the time, but always pass on the grease coating. So not near as bad for you!

Actually, I could live without the butter - but I just love the movie popcorn. Almost impossible to duplicate at home - the taste I mean. They have an additive they put into the popper with the oil that is a yellow granular substance. I've seen them make it there. It gives it a great taste

cdnpinhead · February 2013

Couldn't you just not say anything?

Surely you jest. Remember who you're dealing with.

There are any number of nannies out there, and the sad fact is that they appear to have taken over the government, among many other things. "They" know what is best for you. You, on the other hand, are an imbecile.

It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I will continue to eat movie popcorn, but the good news is that there are so many fewer movies I want to see these days that it seems to be working out.

Sandman6472 · February 2013

Am loving my new job as a vehicle transporter and have been working every day for the last 2 weeks. Have been doing runs over to Tampa airport since last Thursday and have another one tomorrow and Tuesday. The ride isn't that bad until one gets to construction just north of Ft. Myers where it goes down to 60 mph and people get plain stupid. Lots of tourists who insist on driving stupid...really stupid! Many Canadian plates along with the mid west ones...seems the east coast folk stay on the east coast of Florida.

Have also done a few runs to Ft. Myers, we did 2 in one day a couple weeks ago. Did a Jacksonville run last Tuesday, a Key West run last Sunday and the rest up to Orlando...have really been working a bit too much so am taking Wednesday off to have my headliner reglued at the house. Having the detail guy come also and do 2 of our cars and clean the wife's headlights which have glazed over. Then over to the mechanic for a rotation and re-balance and an oil change. I've driven the car more in the last month than in the last year!

Drove a almost new Chevy Malibu today with sat radio and sunroof...what a sweet ride! I've also driven multiples of the following: Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Foci and Escapes, a very cool Jeep Grand Cherokee, a Nissan Quest, Murano, Altima and Sentra, an Kia Forte and Optima, another sweet vehicle. There have been others but my memory escapes me right now. Waiting to try the new Sentra and Verano and Regal but so far, no luck. We usually get to choose our vehicle but sometimes our crew leader does it before hand. But so far, this job is so cool that I want to work every day. So far my body has been very cooperative but I am being very careful and take a car with a power seat whenever possible. I can very well see me doing this job for a number of years if they'll have me. For a car lover like we guys in here, this is a dream job!

Many cars have sat radio which is a nice bonus when driving across the state. Listen mostly to channels 6, 7, and 8 which are the 60's, 70's and 80's. Have ab aux cable for my iPod on cars without sat radio and also have a few cd's in my backpack for those vehicles that have just am/fm. Without the tunes it would be kind of boring to tell the truth. And for the long drive back in the 12 passenger van, I'd be lost without my iPod. Sometimes it gets a bit loud in there so I just crank up the tunes and close my eyes. Lately we've been starting a bit earlier as it was getting tedious getting home after midnight and having to get up again within a few hours. Sometimes we know before but most times not. Friday, we had no work so I went and did errands and while sitting with the bank manager at 12:10, I get a text from my crew chief about a Tampa run and can I be at the meeting place at 1:30. Luckily I was very close to home and was able to work but I just wish we could know the day before for every job but hey, no job is perfect! All I know is that I love this new one!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

roadburner · February 2013

My son has now received acceptance letters from the University of Louisville and the University of South Carolina. Now we are just waiting to hear from Georgia. I'm pulling for SC...

abacomike · February 2013

Am loving my new job as a vehicle transporter and have been working every day for the last 2 weeks.

I wish I had a job like that - you seem so delighted and satisfied, sandman. Keep us posted, sandman, on your sleek rides. Wish I could join you on those transport jobs - make a few extra bucks on the side. And I agree with you and your comments about iPods and CD's. My car still has a 6 disc player player (CD/DVD/MP3). On my DVD/MP3 disc, I already have over 200 songs - on one DVD.

Take care, my friend, and drive carefully and defensively!

abacomike · February 2013

My son has now received acceptance letters from the University of Louisville and the University of South Carolina. Now we are just waiting to hear from Georgia. I'm pulling for SC...

Great news. I hope your son gets into SC - great school!

stickguy · February 2013

I would not imagine you have to worry about the last school if he already got into the other 2.

and which one is his dream (as opposed to yours?)

I am going through this again with kid #2. She is not all that enthused about the process, and would probably be fine with the 1 school we visited that is not too far away (and NJ state rates at least).

I did have her looking at school sites today, and she seemed to be picking based on what the food service looked like, and greek life.

I could be in trouble with this one!

explorerx4 · February 2013

HAHA. I had a very good reason for going to a hockey game 900 miles away. My family bought me(us) the tickets for Christmas!

explorerx4 · February 2013

Getting the big envelopes means good news!
I'm sure the proximity to Spartanburg has nothing to do with you favoring SC.

driver100 · February 2013

Try showing up at 7:20 for the 7:00 PM show.

I just know...if I try that, the show will be sold out or we will end up with seats in the front row. That wouldn't happen too often, but, it has happened.
My wife would love to do it that way, but I can't.

It's like getting to the airport. My wife likes to leave at the last minute, I like to have a safety factor built in. This has paid off a few times. I say, I would rather arrive at the airport an hour early rather than 5 minutes late.

driver100 · February 2013

They have an additive they put into the popper with the oil that is a yellow granular substance.

When it coagulates it is called plaque.

abacomike · February 2013

They have an additive they put into the popper with the oil that is a yellow granular substance.

When it coagulates it is called plaque.

*driver, the next thing you'll be warning us about will be the mortal dangers of sex after 50!

driver100 · February 2013

They" know what is best for you.

I am only informing Mike or anyone who cares so you can make your up your own mind. I am just stating the facts. I'd love to be able to eat movie popcorn with artificial butter, but I also don't want to be overweight.

It takes a lot of willpower to try to improve your diet. It isn't just to live longer either, it is so your quality of life will be better.

This isn't politics or tree hugging or beansprout eating. Just pure medical facts. If you burn 2500 calories a day you will have a surplus if you go over.
When you go over by 3500 calories you will gain a pound. If you eat a large popcorn and have dinner, all the other calories you eat that day will become extra ounces and then will become pounds.

I am finding few people have any idea how that works. Thus companies like Nutrisystems can make lots of money. I just try to do it myself.

I mean this sincerely, do what you like, I don't try to convert anyone...just stating the facts, do what you choose to do-and enjoy your life the best you can.

driver100 · February 2013

no job is perfect! All I know is that I love this new one!

Great news sandman, and you seem the happiest you have been in a long time. I enjoy following your journey, especially since we will be going to The Keys on Thursday. Watch out for me, I'll be one of those crazy Canadians on I-75 near Fort Myers.

driver100 · February 2013

*driver, the next thing you'll be warning us about will be the mortal dangers of sex after 50!

No, that one I definitely won't be warning you about.

houdini1 · February 2013

Driver, you sound irritated and......HUNGRY!!!

driver100 · February 2013

Driver, you sound irritated and......HUNGRY!!!

Very perceptive Houdini.

The good news is I have lost 11.5 pounds since November. I wasn't overweight before, but it is usually best to weigh less.

The bad news, it makes me irritated and HUNGRY...I have become MR GRUMPY BIG-TIME. And, I hate to see other people enjoying food when I can't

roadburner · February 2013

I'm sure the proximity to Spartanburg has nothing to do with you favoring SC.

Well, it doesn't hurt; he wants to get an MBA and he and I both think that an internship at BMW is a possibility. My wife and I also like the coastal islands, it's one of the few areas we would actually consider moving to for our formal retirement.

verdugo · February 2013

With political correctness governing almost everything that is done today in this country, that ratio must surely be outlawed by the school by now.

You'll be happy to know that the ratio has gotten much better. Too late for me, but your grandsons will benefit from it.

And I don't give them money (they didn't give me any.) Instead I volunteer my time.

abacomike · February 2013

I am only informing Mike or anyone who cares so you can make your up your own mind. I am just stating the facts. I'd love to be able to eat movie popcorn with artificial butter, but I also don't want to be overweight.

*driver, relax, I'm just pulling your leg. We all appreciate the facts and data you always provide to us on this forum. It keeps all of us on our toes - in other words, I, for one, am always grateful for all you do and all you provide. Thanks!

Question - is sex after 50 all that it's advertised to be?

verdugo · February 2013

You're right and I apologize. I didn't mean to generalize. I should have said, "I wish that SOME of those to the south of us had done the same." While there are many nice people such as yourself who did things the right way, there are just too many who did not.

No apology needed.

And sadly bad people come from all 4 cardinal points, not just the South.

:sick:

stickguy · February 2013

Question - is sex after 50 all that it's advertised to be?

depends who you are doing it with...

nyccarguy · February 2013

The 1st concert I went to was Janet Jackson's Rythym Nation in March 1990 @ Madison Square Garden. Back then (I was 14) and New York City was still the real New York City (it's better now, just more sterile). Anyway, after the concert, we are walking out of the Garden & all the sudden people start squashing towards the wall. POP POP POP POP. I look up & see this guy shooting in the air. Immediately the cops come with their billy clubs waving & beat the guy down.

Concert #2 was The Steve Miller Band at Jones Beach when I was in high school. I went to the concert with my best friend, the manager of his father's deli & her girlfriend. We got out of the car & it was cloudy. We brought umbrellas with us just in case. Well, 1st it started drizzling, then the skies opened up. Us & everyone else in the stands had umbrellas, except the drunk people behind us. They grab our umbrellas and start telling us they can't see & they are getting wet. The words escalate & this guy takes a swing at one of the women we were with. He misses, she winds up, & clocks this guy. Security moved our seats closer.

Concert #3 was The Rolling Stones at The New Jersey Meadowlands. The people behind us are smoking heavy amounts of Marijuana. They are laughing & having a good time. I feel a kick, turn around, & there is an entire row brawling. They all got ejected.

Since then I had some more subdued experiences: Aerosmith @ MSG from a luxury box, Billy Joel/Elton John Face 2 Face @ MSG, & Billy Joel's Last Play at Shea.

nyccarguy · February 2013

Which car are you taking to The Keys? Your 535i or your wife's Passat?

nyccarguy · February 2013

You must be extremely proud of your son's achievements! Congratulations on his acceptance to many of our country's fine institutions of higher learning.

abacomike · February 2013

Since then I had some more subdued experiences: Aerosmith MSG from a luxury box, Billy Joel/Elton John Face 2 Face MSG, & Billy Joel's Last Play at Shea.

When I lived in Palm Desert, it was a 4 hour drive to Las Vegas and I used to get comped at the Stardust Hotel and Casino (now defunct) for not just a suite, but also for VIP tickets and seating to any show(s) I wanted to see on the strip. I was an avid slot player. Thanks to them, I've seen David Copperfield (magician), Elton John and Billy Joel twice, Barbara Streissand, the Bee Gees, Hall & Oates, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, the Doobie Bros., The Eagles, America, Bread, etc., and many shows. This was in the late 80's through the late 90's. most of the shows were at the MGM Grand and Caesar's Palace, 2 venues where over 5000 people attended - the screaming and yelling were almost deafening. They sure were generous with those comps. The paid my airfare and stretch limo to and from the airport whenever I would fly there as well. All food and beverages fully covered in their best restaurants. Those days are long gone - but I have some great memories.

abacomike · February 2013

Which car are you taking to The Keys? Your 535i or your wife's Passat?

I suggest the BMW, *driver. I was down to Islamorada (key south of Key Largo) back in November for a weekend getaway. I was glad I had the Mercedes because of the traffic and the high speeds on the Turnpike. From where I live, I take the Turnpike to Florida City. I pick up US1 and that is the main road through all the Keys. From here to Key West it's about 155 miles. From Key Largo, it is very slow going until you hit Key Marathon and the 12 mile bridge down to the lower Keys. It's a beautiful drive but very, very slow going from Key Largo - traffic lights, lower speed limits, etc. Best time to travel is Tuesday through Thursday because of lower traffic levels.

Enjoy the trip, but I do recommend the heavier car.

stickguy · February 2013

NYC did use to be more fun. Back in the mid-80s (end of my college days) I lived in Rockland, and one of my roommates was from Brooklyn, so we used to go into Manhattan on occasion. I remember a few fun walks across 42nd street late at night, heading back to the port to get a bus back to the Burbs.

guys following us, offering all kinds of weird stuff. The usual drugs and women, guns, knives, you name it. Got a little edgy a few times. Needed to keep walking fast, and to heck with red lights!

Now, I think 42nd street is a Disney shopping mall or some such.

Some day I will tell you about my Saturday night excursion into the top of central park. In a Fairmont, to keep it car related.

nyccarguy · February 2013

What were you doing in Rockland? That's where I'm from (New City).

stickguy · February 2013

born and raised (my parents are still there) in Pearl River, so I was in New City many a time.

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