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		<title>OptiBoard Discussion Forums - Blogs</title>
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			<title>OptiBoard Discussion Forums - Blogs</title>
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			<title>Coastal Contacts issues the financial report for the 2nd quarter in 2010</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=78</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:45:28 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>---Quote (Originally by Firmoo)--- 
  
........................ an increase of 136% over the same period in 2009. Sales in Canada grew 43% during the six months ended April 30, 2010. Sales in the United States grew 32% during the six months ended April 30, 2010 ............... 
  
In approximately...</description>
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					<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Firmoo</strong>
					<a href="showthread.php?p=348590#post348590" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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........................ an increase of 136% over the same period in 2009. Sales in Canada grew 43% during the six months ended April 30, 2010. Sales in the United States grew 32% during the six months ended April 30, 2010 ...............<br />
 <br />
In approximately two years we have built a significant eyeglasses business that culminated in over 60,000 pairs of eyeglasses being shipped during the quarter and $4.7 million in sales, predominantly in North America. This quarter’s operating results are consistent with the financial model we used to establish our $20 million eyeglasses sales goal this year. We are significantly expanding the capacity of our North American eyeglasses facility to address consumer demand.”<br />
 <br />
Coastal noted the following operational highlights during the second fiscal quarter 2010:<br />
 <br />
-- Coastal reported that the Ministry of Health in British Columbia<br />
modernized the regulations regarding the ability of consumers to<br />
purchase contact lenses and eyeglasses on the Internet, making vision<br />
care products more affordable and accessible.<br />
 <br />
-- Coastal secured a $5 million revolving line of credit from the Bank of<br />
America, bringing the total cash accessible from existing credit<br />
facilities to $8.5 million, none of which had been drawn at April 30,<br />
2010.<br />
 <br />
Above results of sales by Coastal partially attribute to the deregulation of online optical sales by BC government which is the first regional government to announce the rules from government’s perspectives.<br />
 <br />
From: <a href="http://www.easevision.com/online-eyeglasses-sales-giant-sell-60000-pairs-in-2nd-quarter-2010.html" target="_blank">Online eyeglasses sales giant sells 60,000 pairs in 2nd quarter 2010</a><br />
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</div>  <br />
Firmoo, who posted above results by coastal, is the owner and only one of the other big 4 online optical sellers that has come out into the open and discuss the issue.<br />
 <br />
It would be nice to have a down to earth discussion with him. not like the last time he showed on OptiBoard.<br />
 <br />
The optical world is changing and Firmoo knows the other side that has started this change. Lets listen if we can.</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Chris Ryser</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=78</guid>
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			<title>Another smoking hot E-bay deal!</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=77</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 02:03:45 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Image: http://q.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif  
This one might be hard to pass up.  With grilling season here, and Father's Day right around the corner, I expect bidding to be pretty competitive on this baby...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore"><img src="http://q.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif" border="0" alt="" /><br />
This one might be hard to pass up.  With grilling season here, and Father's Day right around the corner, I expect bidding to be pretty competitive on this baby...<br />
<br />
 <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<font size="5"><b>One OF A Kind Casket Grill!</b></font><br />
<br />
Starting bid:US $800.00<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
     <a href="http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/13/%21BtGTPKQEGk%7E$%28KGrHqYOKj%21EvPqKF8ZdBL6gW0HHDg%7E%7E_35.JPG" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
</a><br />
<br />
<font face="Arial">This is an original &quot;One of a Kind&quot; authentic casket cooking grill complete with electric motor </font><font face="Arial">and spit with stainless steel rod with adjustable forks, and stainless steel grids.  There is a lower grid area for placement of the briquettes (included).  Below that level are three burners which are either individually operable or all can be operable for maximum cooking.  Includes gas regulator and hose for propane hook-up.  There is an ignitor button or below that is a hole where the grill can be manually lit.  The interior is coated with a special heat-resistant grill paint and inner panels keep heat directed toward cooking area.   This original casket is fully functional with its original swing-bar handles, making the grill totally movable to any desired location.   Custom exterior finish gives it the lustre and shine for that exceptional look when closed.   </font><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://q.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif" border="0" alt="" /><br />
Good Luck Bidding!</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=77</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[John's Honest E-bay description of the week]]></title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=76</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2010 01:09:32 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Ok, this guy has got to get the award for the most honest description of an ophthalmic frame I've seen on e-bay yet. I especially like the "...the you pull it out and say, "I didn't mean that big"..." part. 
 
This one's a classic:]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">Ok, this guy has got to get the award for the most honest description of an ophthalmic frame I've seen on e-bay yet. I especially like the &quot;...the you pull it out and say, &quot;I didn't mean that big&quot;...&quot; part.<br />
<br />
This one's a classic:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://javascript%3cb%3e%3c/b%3E:;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i23.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/88/77/d9a1_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" />  </a><br />
<img src="http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/common/spacer.gif" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
<b>Franel Gigante giant Large Huge Big Eyeglasses Frame</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Item condition:New<br />
Time left:1 day 2 hours (May 12, 201020:13:14 PDT)<br />
<br />
Price:US $69.00<b><i>Buy It Now</i><a href="http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BinConfirm&amp;_trksid=p4340.l1356&amp;rev=0&amp;item=390182286793&amp;pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&amp;fromPage=4340&amp;quantity=1&amp;fb=1" target="_blank">Buy It Now</a><b>Buy It Now</b></b><br />
<br />
 <br />
 <font face="arial"><font size="4"><b><font color="red">WARNING: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE ITEM DESCRIPTION. IF YOU ARE NOT AN OPTICIAN OR PLANNING TO USE THIS AS A COSTUME OR HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS FRAME PREVIOUSLY THERE IS ALMOST A 100% CHANCE THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE THIS FRAME. </font></b></font></font><font face="arial"><font size="4"><b><font color="red"><font color="blue">Franel Model Gigante. This frame is the largest ophthalmic quality (that is, this is actually made to put Rx ophthalmic lenses in it) frame that we have ever seen. It looks much bigger (much more enormous) to us in real life than it does in the pictures (as far we are concerned) because you have no reference in the picture (but see measurements further below and you can compare that to your frame). This is generally made for the person with an extraordinarily large head. Perhaps it is made for someone with acromegaly; we do not know for sure. Make sure you know what you are ordering before you order this one as otherwise the odds that it will be too big for you is almost 100% (these are massive in regard to size) (you are saying to yourself, oh no, I like glasses as large as possible; you have never seen these and these will be the first ones that you say, well, ok, i love large glasses but not that large; really if you are not familiar with these and/or don't really know how to judge the measurements forget it) (so seriously people, don't order these if you don't know what these are and even if you are sure you like glasses as big as possible and even if you have never once in your life tried on a pair of glasses that you thought was big enough because you have never experienced wearing something like these before) (we are just trying to warn you over and over so you don't order something there is almost no chance that will fit and this is only for experienced Gigante former wearers). They are zyl ( plastic ). As far as describing the color is concerned, would just look at the pictures as you should be able to tell from those pretty well. Franel Gigante Eyeglasses Eyeglass Eye Glasses Frame. If you are in the optical / optician / opticianry business, you could also purchase this to have on hand when clients complain you do not offer big enough frames. You pull this one out and then when they say, well I didn't mean this big, you can tell we have a full array of sizes so keep a lid on it. Eye size (greatest width) estimate of about approximately 68 mm. Vertical lens height (maximum height) estimate of about approximately 54 mm. Bridge size estimate of about approximately 24 mm. Temple length estimate of about approximately 195 mm (incredibly long). Made in Italy. This is new but may have been on display so may have been tried on. <br />
</font></font></b></font></font></blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=76</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[John's eBay find of the week!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=75</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 May 2010 00:05:15 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Lately, there have been some tremendous deals on ophthalmic lanes...anywhere from $4.500 - $9,000 complete.  Some look like pretty good deals, excepting shipping, but I love to drive, so even that's not a big issue.  However, this listing caught my eye, and after reading the listing, realized that...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore"><font color="Indigo">Lately, there have been some tremendous deals on ophthalmic lanes...anywhere from $4.500 - $9,000 complete.  Some look like pretty good deals, excepting shipping, but I love to drive, so even that's not a big issue.  However, this listing caught my eye, and after reading the listing, realized that there was one slight detail that makes this deal not such a good deal after all.<br />
<br />
The listing is for a complete lane:</font><br />
<br />
<b>COMPLETE OPTOMETRIC EXAM ROOM FOR SALE!!!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Item condition:Used<br />
Time left:5d 15h (May 15, 201008:42:51 PDT)<br />
Bid history:<a href="http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&amp;item=280503963755" target="_blank">0 bids</a>[<a href="http://javascript<b></b>:;" target="_blank">Refresh</a>]<br />
<br />
Starting bid:US $5,500.00<br />
<font color="Indigo">Even the photo looks pretty good:</font><br />
<br />
<a href="http://javascript<b></b>:;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i8.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/ac/e4/4b10_35.JPG" border="0" alt="" /><br />
</a><br />
<font color="Indigo">However, read the description:</font><br />
<font face="Arial"><font size="2">FOR SALE IS:</font></font><br />
 <font face="Arial"><font size="2">PHOROPTER, TONOMETER, SLIT LAMP AND TABLE, KERATOMOTER, PROJECTOR, EXAM CHAIR, TRIAL LENS SET, AND OTOSCOPE/OPHTHALMOSCOPE. THESE ITEMS ARE IN VERY GOOD WORKING CONDITION AND WAS BEING USED UP UNTIL LAST WEEK BEFORE THE OFFICE THEY WERE USED IN CLOSED. HOWEVER THE PHOROPTER<b> <font color="Red">HAD FELL A FEW MONTHS PRIOR WHILE IN TRANSPORT</font></b> AND AN ATTACHMENT HAS CRACKED THAT HOLDS THE OTHER HALF IN PLACE. WE WERE USING THIS IN THE OFFICE LIKE THIS<b> <font color="Red">BUT HELD TOGETHER BY A HEAVY DUTY RUBBER BAND</font></b> AND IT STILL PERFORMED WELL. <br />
</font></font><br />
<br />
<br />
<font face="Arial"><font size="2">Dropped the phoroptor, and it's being held together with a rubber band???</font></font><br />
<br />
<br />
<font face="Arial"><font size="2">What a deal!:cheers::cheers:</font></font><br />
<font face="Arial"><font size="2"><br />
</font></font></blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=75</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA["This is what change looks like..."]]></title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=74</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:12:03 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Image: http://www.urbandigs.com/train_wreck.jpg  
 
 
:shiner::shiner::hammer:</description>
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<br />
<br />
:shiner::shiner::hammer:</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=74</guid>
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			<title>PayGo, PayGo, PayGo.</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=72</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:35:30 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[What am I missing here?  Obama wanted to pass this law: 
 
 
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXC_5GRSxuc 
 
The law was passed.  This guy wants to uphold the law.  He's the bad guy? 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alS-gsTnm-8]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">What am I missing here?  Obama wanted to pass this law:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXC_5GRSxuc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXC_5GRSxuc</a><br />
<br />
The law was passed.  This guy wants to uphold the law.  He's the bad guy?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alS-gsTnm-8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alS-gsTnm-8</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvEjtQtgoCM&amp;feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvEjt...eature=related</a></blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=72</guid>
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			<title>Go Toyota!</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=71</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:55:05 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>Wow!  It looks like Toyota spent so much time and effort trying to make their cars go farther on less fuel, that they forgot to worry about making them stop! 
 
Oh, well...small price to pay for fuel efficiency!;)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">Wow!  It looks like Toyota spent so much time and effort trying to make their cars go farther on less fuel, that they forgot to worry about making them stop!<br />
<br />
Oh, well...small price to pay for fuel efficiency!;)</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=71</guid>
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			<title>Change in Ownership</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=70</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:47:47 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>As of September 2009, I have gained complete control of our clinic. Our new goals are to try to supply the needs of the local population with eyeglasses at affordable prices.</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">As of September 2009, I have gained complete control of our clinic. Our new goals are to try to supply the needs of the local population with eyeglasses at affordable prices.</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>35oldguy</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=70</guid>
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			<title>Poly vs. Trivex</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=69</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:08:08 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[It really does yellow folks.  Proof's in the puddin: 
 
Image: http://www.uilleann.org/tmp/trivex.bmp  
 
Edited to add the following from the original post: My lenses are 2.5 years old in this frame, the Hoya lenses are 1.5 years old. Mine use Crizal Avancé, and the Trivex use Super Hi Vision....]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">It really does yellow folks.  Proof's in the puddin:<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.uilleann.org/tmp/trivex.bmp" border="0" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Edited to add the following from the original post: My lenses are 2.5 years old in this frame, the Hoya lenses are 1.5 years old. Mine use Crizal Avancé, and the Trivex use Super Hi Vision. neither pair are photochromic. The Trivex plainly shows yellow, whereas the poly lenses are clear.  Not sure how so many qualified opticians out there could miss the difference here...  :shiner:;):p (As an aside, the above image is taken directly from the .raw camera image file [Canon EOS 30D, 1/40s, F/5.6, ISO:500], is not altered except for being reduced in size for the web and converted to a .bmp file to preserve true color as much as possible.)</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Uilleann</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=69</guid>
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			<title>The Myth of Abbe</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=68</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:06:42 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[An excellent article from our own beloved Mike DiSanto on the myths surrounding abbe values perpetuated in our field. 
 
And a kind introduction by Andrew Karp from 20/20 magazine: 
 
Andrew's bit: 
http://www.2020mag.com/ViewContent/t...3/Default.aspx...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">An excellent article from our own beloved Mike DiSanto on the myths surrounding abbe values perpetuated in our field.<br />
<br />
And a kind introduction by Andrew Karp from 20/20 magazine:<br />
<br />
Andrew's bit:<br />
<a href="http://www.2020mag.com/ViewContent/tabid/136/content_id/12333/Default.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.2020mag.com/ViewContent/t...3/Default.aspx</a><br />
<br />
Mike's bit:<br />
<a href="http://www.2020mag.com/ViewContent/tabid/136/content_id/12334/Default.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.2020mag.com/ViewContent/t...4/Default.aspx</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Brian~</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Uilleann</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=68</guid>
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			<title>The end of the recession.</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=67</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:52:46 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[I think it's amazing that every news source that I have access to (admittedly few compared to others) are claiming that the recession is over.  For a time, I disagreed, but now, have come to the conclusion that the talking heads are indeed correct. 
 
The recession is over, and the depression is...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">I think it's amazing that every news source that I have access to (admittedly few compared to others) are claiming that the recession is over.  For a time, I disagreed, but now, have come to the conclusion that the talking heads are indeed correct.<br />
<br />
The recession is over, and the depression is about to begin.<br />
<br />
Why do I believe this?  Because the indicators that  gauge a recession are almost all telling us that this is far from over, and they are not headed in the direction they should be for a recession that is waning.<br />
<br />
For example, the indicators most often cited are wholesale/retail sales (trade), employment, personal income, and industrial production.<br />
<br />
Of the indicators, only one, industrial production, have shown anything positive, and even then, those numbers are up only 0.1%.  Sure, a gain is a gain, but when you consider that unemployment is still down 0.1%, personal income is down .03%, and sales are down .2%, how can the recession be winding down?  <br />
<br />
The stats I cite are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Federal Reserve, and Bureau of Labor for the third quarter.<br />
<br />
And this is after a stimulus package that &quot;saved&quot; reportedly (at first) hundreds of thousands, and now millions of jobs.<br />
<br />
Some of the bright spots in sales were also fueled by the &quot;Cash for Clunkers&quot; program, which was nothing more than a way to funnel money back into the unions.  Of course, that backfired when the majority of the money was spent on foreign cars.  Oh well!<br />
<br />
Some of the stimulus money also went to the states that were drowning in pools of debt, due to decreased tax revenues.  Yes, they were propped up for a time, but now, they are in need of even more funds to keep going, and will undoubtedly need to lay off some of employees from their bloated payrolls. Bigger budgets and smaller incomes. Not an easy way to run a state, nor a country for that matter.<br />
<br />
And I won't even get into all the balloon payments that are coming due for commercial developers and landlords.  It is not uncommon for them to carry 5 year notes, and refinance at the end of the term.  Now however, regardless of what the government is saying, the banks are not lending money to these folks.  And these are not new projects.  They are strip and retail centers that house many businesses that have renegotiated lower rents to survive.  Not to mention the fact that when the developers refinance, the money they can get is based upon the equity in their buildings.  Well w/real estate being devalued, there is not much equity left, and therefore, nothing to put up against the money they need.  So, we'll see many more shopping centers being foreclosed on, and more people out of work.<br />
<br />
So yeah, I believe the recession may be coming to an end, but the recession might be better than what I think is around the corner.<br />
<br />
Not a rosy picture, and I'm not trying to be a downer, but I hate to watch the media portraying what they call the end of the recession.  Yeah, stocks have rebounded for now, but I believe it's a sucker's rally, and the second drop is right around the corner.<br />
<br />
I've always said that a recession is like a big wind. The businesses that are already weak will fall.  I don't know what a depression is like, except from what my grandparents told me, and it wasn't pretty. <br />
<br />
I'm no economics expert, nor am I any type of business guru.  I'm just a small business guy on main street that sees more and more credit cards being used, hears more stories of folks losing their homes and possessions, and a lot of other people saying that the economy is on it's way back up.<br />
<br />
I truly hope the latter group is right.</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=67</guid>
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			<title>Feel the Love...</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=66</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:52:32 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[I know, most of you are expecting some sarcastic political topic here, but that's not the case...really. 
 
This morning, the alarm rang just a bit too early.  I dragged myself out of bed, went outside and did the chores, and grabbed an armload of wood to get the fire cranked up. 
 
I play...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">I know, most of you are expecting some sarcastic political topic here, but that's not the case...really.<br />
<br />
This morning, the alarm rang just a bit too early.  I dragged myself out of bed, went outside and did the chores, and grabbed an armload of wood to get the fire cranked up.<br />
<br />
I play basketball in the morning at a local college, from 8 'till 9:30, so I have to leave the house by 6:40 so I can drop my son off at school, and make it before the games get started.<br />
<br />
Just as I was ready to leave, I realized that my favorite basketball shorts were not in my bag. I called out to my wife, who was still in bed, to see if she knew where they might be. I expected her to say, &quot;They're where you left them!&quot;<br />
<br />
Instead, she got out of bed, went down two flights of steps to the basement, and came upstairs with them all folded and ready to go.  &quot;I woke up last night and realized you'd need them, so I threw them on the drying rack next to the downstairs woodburner.&quot;<br />
<br />
I know it sounds sappy, corny, and whatever other words you want to describe it, but I was overcome with a feeling of how much my wife really  loves me.  She's not sitting by my bedside, holding my hand as I'm dying, but the little things she does for me let me know that she would.<br />
<br />
I thought about all the different ways that people I know make me feel loved, and I started wondering if I make them feel the same way.  I'm guessing not so much. When I got to work, I called my wife and told her how much I loved her, and thanked her for everything she does for me.  Now she probably thinks I'm having an affair.:D<br />
<br />
I'm not the kind of guy that tells people &quot;Have a nice day!&quot;, because you never know what's going on in their lives.  Plus, I don't like to tell people what to do.  So, I'm not telling everyone to go out and tell all the people in their lives how much they love them, but maybe reading this might get someone to think about it, and be more aware of how loved they really are.</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
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			<title>Follow the money indeed</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=65</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:49:47 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[So, as if it's any surprise, here's what the climate change (we used to call that a "season") talk is all about_: 
 
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/climate_follow_the_money 
 
 
The world wants the "rich" countries to chip in around $10 Billion dollars towards curbing emissions, and helping those...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">So, as if it's any surprise, here's what the climate change (we used to call that a &quot;season&quot;) talk is all about<b></b>:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/climate_follow_the_money" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/climate_follow_the_money</a><br />
<br />
<br />
The world wants the &quot;rich&quot; countries to chip in around $10 Billion dollars towards curbing emissions, and helping those affected by them.  We won't get in to the discussion of the science, or lack thereof.  The only real fact is that it's (again, no surprise) boiling down to another way to tax us into oblivion. <br />
<br />
I've got friends that at this very moment are going through the painful, and humiliating process of foreclosure.  They once had great jobs with manufacturing companies that, because it was cheaper and easier (many compliance issues) shipped the production overseas to China.  Job leaves, money leaves, and all they have to do is find another job among the many (fantasy) service sector jobs.  Right.  <br />
<br />
One job, after another, after another, and after another, until the music stopped. The good new job turned into a so-so job, which turned into two part-time jobs, which turned into any job, which turned into no job, and &quot;Happy Thanksgiving honey, we've got to start packing.&quot;<br />
<br />
So now, China is doing all the manufacturing.  The jobs are long gone.  Homes are being lost.  Tax revenue is way down due to lower incomes, and our country (one of the &quot;richeys&quot;) is going to be printing up some more money, so that our kids can tell their grandchildren someday why they will never be able to get their country out of debt.<br />
<br />
What a disgrace...</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=65</guid>
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			<title>End of the full-time employee?</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=64</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:06:40 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Just wondering out loud whether the health care bill that is about to be debated might mean the end of full-time employment as we know it? 
 
What I mean is that, if I'm reading the bill correctly (Admittedly, I've only read snippets), employers will be required to pay for health care coverage for...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">Just wondering out loud whether the health care bill that is about to be debated might mean the end of full-time employment as we know it?<br />
<br />
What I mean is that, if I'm reading the bill correctly (Admittedly, I've only read snippets), employers will be required to pay for health care coverage for their full-time employees.  What's to stop a lot of small businesses (70% of the employers in the US) from scaling back the hours of their employees, and hiring more part-timers to fill the gaps?  It seems to me that it's a strategy that WM has been using for years now, and they've grown to the largest retailer in the world.<br />
<br />
What brought this to mind was a friend of mine that owns 2 delis.  One has been running for years, and the other he opened 3 months ago.  The first one he runs with his wife, and the second he runs w/5 part-time employees.  He said he was very deliberate in hiring part timers only, as he's saving in vacation and other benefits payed out.<br />
<br />
At first, I was turned off by the prospect of all part timers, but when I weighed that, with the prospect of maybe going out of business (not that I am, but if we were), then part timing it didn't look so bad.<br />
<br />
Will we then see formerly full time workers having to go out and getting two and three part-time jobs to support their families?  Owning my own business, I consider myself to work 3 jobs to maintain my lifestyle., even though they're all for my own company.<br />
<br />
I could have posted this on the &quot;Just <font size="1">(liberal)</font> Conversation&quot; forum, but didn't want to get into a race, global warming, and welfare discussion.<br />
<br />
What do you think?</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=64</guid>
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			<title>Are you smarter than your GPS?</title>
			<link>http://www.optiboard.com/forums/blog.php?b=62</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:46:15 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Is it just me, or do any of you also play "beat the GPS"? 
 
Now of course, I have a reputation in certain circles as being a master at GPS operations, so maybe that has something to do with my GPS obsession, but I'm not sure. 
 
Here's an example:  My son and I were late getting out the door...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="blogcontent restore">Is it just me, or do any of you also play &quot;beat the GPS&quot;?<br />
<br />
Now of course, I have a reputation in certain circles as being a master at GPS operations, so maybe that has something to do with my GPS obsession, but I'm not sure.<br />
<br />
Here's an example:  My son and I were late getting out the door yesterday, and he asked me what time he'd get to school, as he's got a subject he really wanted to study before class started (I think her name's Nikki).  <br />
<br />
Anyway, I said that I thought we'd get there around 7:15.  He whipped out the GPS, and it said we'd be there are 7:12.  How dare some little machine tell ME how long it will take me to get somewhere! So, I told him I thought I could make it by 7:10.<br />
<br />
When we got to the end of our road, you should have seen the look on my son's face when I made a right hand turn right into a cornfield.  Skirting the edge of the field, I followed it to a path the lead through a tree line, and out onto a dirt road.<br />
<br />
From there I was able to avoid the bus and buggy traffic going into town, and came in through the old industrial parkway.  All this time, I resisted the urge to speed, as my son was with me, and didn't want to give make a bad impression on him. (Four-wheeling through a cornfield is not the same as speeding)<br />
<br />
Anyway, to make a long story just a bit shorter, we arrived in the school parking lot, muddier than when we left, but at a very respectable time of 7:08.  It's a 35 minute drive to school and to shave 7 minutes off was, in my book, quite impressive.<br />
<br />
So why can't my GPS make suggestions like, &quot;Agricultural Route&quot;, or &quot;Non-traditional Road Surface Route&quot;?  My son did remind me that there is an off road mode, but not one for multiple.<br />
<br />
So, back to my question...Do any of you try to pick a better route, or beat the arrival time it gives you?  Are you often succesful? Does it ever backfire?<br />
<br />
Just wondering...</blockquote>

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			<dc:creator>Johns</dc:creator>
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