Austin Grocery Stores

There is an article in today's Austin paper (free registration required) regarding Whole Foods and HEB's Central Market. Here's the main astounding points.

Sales per square foot at Whole Foods, the biggest natural food grocer in the country, are nearly $800, putting Whole Foods in a league with electronics and jewelry stores.

Central Market's profit margins are double those of a traditional grocery store, and its customers spend, on average, twice as much per trip. A typical Sunday shopper spends an hour and a half in the store.

The stores also are much more expensive to operate. The new Whole Foods will have a staff of almost 500, including pastry chefs, wine experts, beauty consultants and grocery valets.

The article also states the Central Market store is one of Austin's largest tourist attractions. And no, I didn't go.

Goin' Home

Had a fruitful time in here speaking with USDA officials regarding their new electronic forms initiative. However, speaking with members of the national Association of Farm Broadcasters (who incidentally had their own name misspelled in their booth sign) obviously didn't know how to take me when I suggested they should look into an XM satellite radio Farm Channel. I think they just hear the word XM and turn their ears off. That is one explanation; with another being they had no idea what XM is. The Espousa was asking the other day if satellite radio was going to become dominant. I don't know, but subscription rates will be program driven, I believe. By program-driven, I mean sports or personalities. We'll see what happens when Howard Stern moves next year to satellite.

Had a great dinner at Sullivan's, which is chain ala City Grille, Morton's, McCormick & Schmick. I gave a whoop when I saw creamed spinach on the menu. No one else at the table had ever had it before. Geez, my mother used to make it for my sister an I as kids. It's always interesting to see what is new to some folks.

Austin Impressions

I mistakenly thought Austin was comparable to Madison in size, as the two are always compared. Wrongo! Madison, 200K; Austin metro 1.7 M. That's larger than Milwaukee. No wonder they have a larger airport than Milwaukee. And San Antonio is even larger. Goes to show how the movement south has occurred. Austin has an Arena league football team and a minor league hockey team, while Milwaukee has major league baseball and basketball. I just wonder how long Milwaukee can sustain that level of sport in an era of increasing costs. Don't be surprised Wisconsin when all that's left is the Packers.

Another interesting point is the general decay of downtown Austin. Yes, there are nice hotels, but vacant lots everywhere and I'm just blocks from the Capitol. And homeless everywhere. The homeless situation here has drawn unsolicited comments from everyone I have spoken.

Ate at a BBQ joint that is supposed to be nationally renowned. Singularly underwhelmed. I know several joints that would beat this hands down in Georgia and Florida. I guess they have a good PR firm or the Yankees coming here (i.e., moving) are smitten by the first taste they get and declare it the best. Whatever the reason, I'll take some of my favorites back in Georgia.

Traveling Again

My trip last week to DC was onboard Midwest express. Today, United. What a difference an airline makes. The Midwest flights are 2 by 2 with legroom. The United to Denver was 2 by 3. Thankfully, I was on the aisle of the 3 seat. But I had a big boy in front of me and the seat condition reminded me very unfavorably of my flight on Russia'’s finest, Aeroflot. Yikes.

My Fake Barbour, Again

In the process of getting my 20 year-old Barbour coat altered for the Progeny, I asked the Barbour factory folks if they were aware of any counterfeit Barbours. "No." Well, you might want to see one I have.

To make long story short, it is definitely counterfeit and the factory wants to keep it. I am trying to negoiate a trade with them for a ne wcoat that amember of the family would like. Fingers are crossed!

I realize I had earlier promised an end to the fake Barbour posts but the news doesn't stop rolling in.

Getting Ready

Just got 2,700 fliers addressed and mailed, as well as our 380+ monthly newsletter. It's great to have that pile off my desk. I'll be traveling to Austin, TX, for Thursday through the weekend, so getting everything taken care of before my departure is the plan.

I also got the staff ready to work in my absence on our directory, which is a no-brainer, but it's the point of getting them to understand that.

Austin should be a fun time, but it looks like rain the whole time I'm there, but a 40 degree improvement over Wisconsin. That's a positive under any circumstances.

A Fun Weekend

We shopped, we ate, we had fun. My fears of four people pulling in different directions didn't come to fruition. Thank God! It was wonderful time if you exclude me getting an upset stomach Saturday night.

Our Chicago Trip

The Espousa and I are off to Chicago for the weekend with friends for shopping and dining. And a winter storm is scheduled to hit this evening. Thankfully we have room booked and will be able to ride out the storm and it's a holiday Monday if the worst happens.

I am trying to recall the last trip in which the Espousa and I traveled with non-family members. I simply can't remember a time in 24 years of bliss when that happened. I even have to question when we have traveled with non-immediate family members. We both just like our own schedules and the ability to do the things we want and get it done. We even have the agreement that when we reach a destination, we'll split up and let each do their schedule with a meet-up time agreed on.

We'll see how it all works out. Cross your fingers.

Nebraska Public Schools

The AP has an interesting article regarding the de facto segregation of Nebraska's elementary schools. The situation exists because children are able to move between schools in a district. Parents are moving their kids to outlying schools away from city schools that are heavily Hispanic.

In my trips through the Nebraska wilderness in the mid-90's, I remember my first trip to the town of Schuyler which is mentioned in the article. I later described it to a friend as being as Hispanic in appearance as Brownsville, Texas (which is on the border with Mexico for those who missed that day in geography class). And literally, out in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska. I remarked during my trip to a local at the Hispanic Flavor of the this town. I was told at that time of the very real racial divide taking place in rural Nebraska between the Anglos and Hispanics.

The sad point is that I can point to similar divides occurring in rural Wisconsin where Hispanic labor is involved. The only difference is Wisconsin has small city or village-based school districts that wouldn't afford the transfer opportunities that exist in the Nebraska situation.

Disconnected

While in DC, my laptop battery died (with a replacement power cord that didn't work), my cellphone died and even the iPod battery ran out. I was in the Dark Ages. (My sister is laughing.)

Everything is back now, but I am trying to catch up with everything. And, yes, I did make it to Legal Seafood inside Reagan National.

The hotel I stayed in DC was the worst hotel I have stayed in in years. There are Mom & Pop El Rancho's that have been nicer and better. The bathroom tile and caulk work appeared to have been done by sixth graders doing tile and caulk work for the first time. I'm attempting not to disparage sixth graders. Anyway, I finally arrived back home at midnight last night and am off to Chicago for the weekend Saturday morning.

Goin' to DC

I fly out early in the morning to a two meeting in DC. On my way out of the office, I discovered my laptop's power cable was missing. Poop! I raced around town to find a replacement and finally found one. Got home and ordered a replacement off the web that will arrive in a week.

While in DC (in between meetings) I intend on seeing a couple friends and eating at Legal Seafood. Yum yum!

Measure Twice...

visit the hardware store three times. That's the story of my installing new house numbers and switching the house's Historic Society plate to the other side of the door. And I'm not done yet, having to get another size screw plug for the hole in the brick for the historical plate. Two hours for a 30 minute job. Geez! G&T take me away.

Wisconsin Stupidity From Both Directions

You may not yet have heard of Ward Churchill. Rest assured, you will. You can read all you want about this humanoid here and here and here.

The title is invoked because the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, a four year undergrad university in the UW system (20 minutes from my home, no less) has invited and stands behind their invitation for him to speak on campus.

I'm leaning toward not wanting him to speak simply because the radical left wing hate speech and puke he spills is applauded but let the n-word slip past the lips of a white person and he will be stigmatized and/or his career is ruined. (During the OJ trial Mark Fuhrman was asked have you ever used the n-word? Ever? Watch BET any Friday or Saturday night.) I want the double standard out on parade for everyone to see.

On the other hand, I read a line the other evening that sums up my feelings regarding the opposite side of my thoughts. "Free speech is great; it makes the idiots so much easier to spot."

On another note, I am laughing because of the timing of the whole issue. (One of my epitaphs will read, "Baseball, sex and commodity trading; it's all in the timing.") Whitewater, as it's known here, couldn't have picked a worst time to go through this monkey business, because the legistlature is just beginning their biennial budget discussions and funding of the university system is a real hot topic. This is just going to provide fodder for folks who wish to take potshots at the University as a whole in the legistlature and providing free 'ammo' is not something anyone associated with the University would knowingly want to do at budget time.

Leather Seats and PETA

I noted an article that Mercedes-Benz has agreed to offer 'leather free' versions of all its cars to pacify an animal rights group. PETA maintains thousands of cows are slaughtered each year for car seats.

When you consider that the skins of four to 15 cows are needed for each car this means thousands of cows will be spared, " said PETA researcher Edmund Haferback. "this is a huge victory for animal rights."

Um... might there be another reason that cows are slaughtered besides getting hides? My bet is this will only mean a drop in high quality seat leather prices in the wholesale market and not one bit of a drop in total slaughter numbers because of this.

One benefit for me to this whole idiocy is the potential for lowered costs of Bridge of Weir hides. If you follow the link, please note color 051 Dove Gray. One day...one day.

The Times They are A-Changin'

Here in Wisconsin, there is a burger and 'custard' shop that is a source of Wisconsin pride. It's Culvers. Towns define themselves by whether or not they have a Culver's. It is the popular summer evening place to go throughout the state. The items on the menu are pure Wisconsin with fried cheese curds and Culver's-own Butterburger. My own favorite is the lemon cooler, a frozen lemon ice that is whipped in a blender. And you will be spitting out pieces of lemon peel occasionally if you have one. It is completely different that a Sonic slush, which is a somewhat liquid sno-cone, in my opinion.

The Espousa and I stopped in for a quick bite the other day, which was our first time inside in almost a year. The drive through is more than adequate to secure a lemon cooler on the way home from work. We were surprised to notice on every table a bottle of Mexican hot sauce. They don't even have ketchup on the tables, but they do have hot sauce. This is even more surprising that it is the town in which I live. This town is known as a Norwegian epicenter. It hosts the largest Norwegian Independence day celebration in the world outside of Norway. I have been told you could have heard Norwegian spoken on the street 20 years ago. Why am I focusing on the town's Norwegian heritage? Because of their food. The Progeny and I went to a fund raising dinner at the Sons of Norway lodge (yes, there is such a thing) for a dinner. It consisted of boiled white fish with no batter, boiled skinned potatoes and boiled whole onions. The only thing you could add to this boiled extravaganza was melted butter. Given this bland type of food, having Mexican hot sauce at the local Culver's is a stunner and shows how the demographics of this town and possibly area are changing.

My Last Fake Barbour Post

While fiddling around over the weekend, I noted both my fake and real Barbour coats came with lapel badges. I hunted around and got both together to compare side by side. The comparison illuminates the whole difference between the fake and real coats themselves. The real one is on the right.Note the slight difference in size and that the real one is cast polished brass, while the fake is plated (if you can see that). Also the fake is painted around the letters, while the real one is enameled.

It is a wonder to me that the counterfeiter went so far as to even fake the badge to complete the charade.

Taking Care of the Espousa

The Espousa was quite under the weather this morning, so I was the dutiful hubby and remained home to care for her. The care involved letting her sleep while I did the taxes for both of us and the Progeny and e-filing both returns, state and Fed. Also, included was making cups of hot tea and keeping the fireplace stoked with a roaring fire while it went from rain to freezing rain to sleet to now snow.

I was surprised in filing the Progeny's taxes that the State of Wisconsin provided on line tax prep software and e-filing for free for simple returns, which I used for the Progeny. I then thought to look at the IRS site and they have links to free prep and filing software online. Did the Progeny's there too. Sure beats paying $40 bucks or so for Intuit services or shipping the hard copies off to him to sign and mail in for a 100% refund.

A Little Puzzle

As I wrote earlier regarding yesterday's trip to Chicago, I had stopped in at a Loop TJ Maxx and noted some interesting woven summer shirts for $29. Later, at the Woodfield Mall Nordstrom's, the Espousa and I noted the exact same shirt for sale there for $85. Same exact shirt at more than double the price.

Today, during my running around, I decided to pop into the Madison TJ Maxx. There the shirt was, same one as Nordstrom's. The only difference between the Madison and the Loop TJ Maxx stock was the Loop had several of each shirt in multiple sizes, while Madison had only one shirt per size and in the one color I wanted. 'Tis now socked away until spring or my possible Florida trip in March.

The Chicago Report

We got off about 30 minutes later than I had wished, but it never really affected our trip. The temp in Wisconsin when we left was right above freezing and when we got to Rockford, a hour south of Madison, it was very foggy. The drive in was uneventful, save for a back up at the Elgin toll plaza because of lane painting. I thought it was going to put us at Lou Mitchell's at 9:30 and potentially smack in the middle of a packed house; i.e., line out the door. I suggested to the Espousa that we skip breakfast and just plan on doing lunch at the Walnut Room. No, she told me, she wanted breakfast and we could just have a very light lunch at the Walnut Room.

We got to the west side of the Loop with no problems at 8:45. I let her out in front of the restaurant to get a table and I'd park the car. Fine, but I later learned upon walking in that they do not seat partial parties. No prob. We were seated as soon as I walked in and I excused myself to the restroom, never even sitting down. I told the Espousa she could order for me, coffee and a feta cheese and spinach omelet. Mmmm... good. I haven't found another place that makes them and mine ended up being delicious as usual. When I returned from the restroom, the Espousa excused herself and said she had ordered for me. Immediately after she returned, the meal was in front of us. They don't fool around at Lou's. The Espousa also commented the coffee was the best she had ever had. High praise indeed.

Now onto State Street. We called the Progeny in route to tell him what we were doing and wish him a good day. We parked across the street from Field's and walked through on our way to Filene's Basement down the street. Ho, hum; nothing for me to be found there. However, the Espousa did find a modern quartzGruen Curvex ladies tank watch with deployant. She loves it and kept commenting that she now has a watch just like mine. (Well, not exactly. She has watch with a deployant clasp and I have a genuine vintage Curvex of my father's. That's where the similarity ends.) We then went upstairs to a TJ Maxx. Nothing there to pique the interest save for a discounted men's summer shirt by an Italian maker for about $25. Caused me to pause but not pull a trigger.

Back to Field's and wandering around through there. The Espousa was in her element. We spent about an hour piddling around with me parked in a chair paying games on my PDA/phone. At about 11:15, the Espousa suggested we head towards the Walnut Room. She asked the hostess for a seat near the State Street window and we got it. She pointed out her last visit was with my mother in the early 80's and where the two of them were seated relative to our seats. I looked out the window and noted Daley Plaza and the Cook County Building across the street from it. I reminded the Espousa of an Easter weekend in (I believe) 1980 when she was visiting me in which we watched the filming of the 'attack' on the Cook County Building from just off camera. In the scene where all the police cars roll up to the door of the building (while unseen) we were amazing close to the shot that is seen in the film. No more than 25 to 30 feet to the left. During breaks in the filming , we walked through all the staging areas and even past their 'broken' and smoking Chicago police car. If we only had a camera!

It was decided that I would leave Field's and find my way to Filenes on north Michigan Avenue and she would continue at Field's. We'd meet up in an hour. Done. She later told me she had sat in the restaurant sipping coffee for another 40 minutes just relaxing. I hopped a cab, got to Water Tower, went in Filenes and found nothing. Back I came on schedule.

We then departed for Woodfield Mall. We first stopped by the Filenes at Woodfield. Nothing for me, but $4.99 earrings for the Espousa. Then, while we were there , I suggested a stop at Saks Off 5th. Nothing and nothing except... I found a couple Tod's shoe dust covers laying on the floor of the men's shoe department. I could certainly use them in packing for trips to keep my shoes away from other items in the luggage.
I asked a salesperson what the price on them might be as I would like to buy them. "Take them, we throw dozens away every day." Great. When later I showed them to the Espousa on the way to the car, she suggested we go back in and get some more. I thought discretion the better part of valor and decided not to push our luck.

Onward to Woodfield proper. I really dislike this mall, as the only interesting store is an Apple store. I walked with the Espousa and suggested she go in the Apple store so I could show her the new iPod shuffle. We entered and the place was packed as I imagine it must have been at Christmas. There was a line at the cash register. I took her over to see it, it was my first time to hold one myself. It is tiny and I explained how it will hold in the larger version about 240 songs. The kick is since there is no screen on the thing, you simply load your music and it will automatically shuffle your library in a random order. Your only control is to skip or repeat a song. Both of us wouldn't want it. She did seem to show interest in the iPod mini with it's various colored "skins." No she's not getting it, she has a list of jewelry that she would prefer much more than any electronic gadget.

We continued on our way,; she went into Williams-Sonoma and I into Harry & David's. To my amazement, that H&D was closing and everything was 50% off. Everything does not convey the scene in the store. There was basically nothing left but store fixtures. And those were on sale too. We ended up buying several baskets, picture sign holders (for use at my seminars and conventions, dish holder racks and a custom-made sign from the check out area. The sign is about five feet long and says "Baskets by you" in eight inch tall letters. Don't ask me what she'll do with it, but we got a ton of stuff for $50 and most of it is actually useful! Out to the car with the Espousa carrying the sign and yes! we did get a lot of turned heads walking through the mall. Deposit in the car and back into he fray. We both wished to go to Nordstrom's. She because of the belief that it has the largest and finest shoe department to be found. I went to the men's department and found myself looking around their large cologne selection. Well, what did I find there but the fragrances from my favorite barber shop, Trufitt & Hill. The Espousa was suitably impressed.

It was closing in on 5 PM and time to use the Espousa's language skills to get us into the Brazilian steakhouse without reservations. It worked. We were seated and the waitstaff burst into smiles the moment the Espousa ordered in Portuguese. The staff seemed very attentive, even more than usual, with her speaking to all the servers. I stayed away from the caipirinhas and stuck to Antartica Guanrana. I stuffed myself, the Espousa eating just from the massive salad bar and the fried plantains. She was very happy.

We headed home and slept the rest of a couple that had a very wonderful day.

And Now For Something A Little Different

I am not usually one to alter my habits. To the extent this is true, the Espousa has suggested that, were anything ever to happen to her, it may not be wise for me to enter into a subsequent relationship. It could prove problematic for both parties. That said; I tried something a little different this evening. My Friday night pint of G&T. Yes, pint. In the late 70's and early 80's riding the train home from the loop in Chicago, I had the singular misfortune for the first several years to be on a line that did not have a club car, owing to the fact one of the towns through which the train traveled was "dry."

It was also, and probably still is, illegal to purchase a cocktail in Chicago and take it from the bar, but I learned of a spot that provided a unique solution. In the fog of remembrance, I can't quite remember the code, but if you ordered your drink in a certain way, they would provide you a 16 oz. cocktail in a Styrofoam cup with a lid. Many a summer evening ride home, especially following evening classes for my MBA, there was a pint accompanying me on the ride home. Anyway, there where I got started on a "City of Big Shoulders" G&T.

On to this evening. A friend suggested I try a dab of Key limejuice in my G&T to spice it up a little. I have followed the suggestion and it is tasty, but I fear I may simply use the rest to make a pie and drink the G&T the way the Brits intended it.

BTW, if you don’t know what G&T stands for, I'll give a hint that in this case it isn’t “gifted and talented.” Instead check out this website for illumination.

Wrestle Reunion

There was a great article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal (subscription required) regarding a gathering of about 80 past professional wrestling stars and a couple thousand of their fans. Fans came from as far as Singapore and Canada to attend the event last weekend in Tampa.

The event, called WrestleReunion, had an admission price of up to $299 for which you received an Elite VIP pass which entitled you three days of autograph sessions, Q-and-A sessions and some matches. Wow. Now I will admit I am a secret (or not so now) wrestling fan having watched since childhood. (My mother told me stories of driving an hour to St. Louis to see Gorgeous George in the 40's.) The event has a slight pull on me, but not enough strength to cover the cost of airfare, hotel and admission. However, if it was in Chicago and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was there, we might be talking a day pass. Simply looking at the picture of "The Brain" below makes me laugh out loud. And the fun is what it's all about, at least for me, and it has been since elementary school days and listening to Gordon Solie and his technical and anatomical descriptions of the matches on WFLA-TV out of Tampa.

Is We or Is We Ain't?

We ain't going to Chicago tonight, it'll be tomorrow morning. Early.

Promised the Espousa a lunch at the Walnut Room.

Attending Hearings

For the 99.9999% of the populace who have never attended nor participated in a legistlative hearing, my congratulations. For all the comparisons of politics to sausage making, I have a slightly different comparison, spending a day waiting in a jury pool. Only you really can't read a book or listen to your iPod. You have to pay attention to the subject matter, just in the off chance, something actually happens.

More later.

I'm back : I'm not complaining so much as this is part of my job, but it can get boring. The hearing I was at was supposed to last only two hours. I left after five with no end in sight. I spoke with a bud who was the last to go. He told me the Dean of the University of Wisconsin College of Ag was there to testify on another subject and after waiting about six hours, the chair told him just to go home, as they would schedule his testimony another day. It just wasn't he, but also a couple or three other bigwigs from the University that were sent home. I can imagine the steam coming out of that car as it headed back to campus.

The real fun of attending hearing is to watch legistlators spar with one another for oneupsmanship and/or spring traps on the pompous paid spokesperson for an issue. Interestingly, I have never seen a genuine citizen, nervous as heck and fumbling, ever been given a tough time or the broom. They have always been treated with respect by the staff or panel and given all the time they wished or desired.

Finally, A Real Christmas Present

Today, my real Barbour coat arrived. It fits perfectly and had all the tags and warranty cards attached. And it came in a Barbour bag.

That settles it, the b-i-l has just got next year's Christmas pressy socked away.

And I still haven't heard from the Barbour USA folks re: getting my early 80's vintage coat's sleeves lengthened by four inches for the Progeny.

To Chicago or Not To Chicago Friday

I've been after the Espousa to go to Chicago this weekend. I simply want to get away. (She wants me to take a day off.) The question is whether to go down and spend Friday night or get up early Saturday morning and go. Pluses and minuses for each plan follow.

Friday Pluses
We're there and parked
Wonderful breakfast at Lou Mitchell's
Pleasure of eating more meals in Chicago
Walking Michigan Ave. at night (assuming it's clement)

Minuses
Additional cost
Going through Hotwire, not sure where we'd be staying
Simply may not wake up
Expense of eating more meals in Chicago
Very real potential of significant traffic aggravation

Saturday Pluses
No extra expense
Can still get to Lou Mitchell's
Potentially less traffic and travel aggravation
Park where I want

Minuses
We're not there yet
Miss walking Michigan Ave. at night (assuming it's clement)

I don't know which we'll do, but I will guarantee we'll be at Fogo de Chão Saturday evening!

No Long Hair For Men in North Korea

In an article that tries to be a little too cute regarding North Korea's ban on men having any head hair longer than two inches is the following item:

The dictum claims that long hair hampers brain activity by taking oxygen away from nerves in the head.

North Korea's campaign does not mention any rules for women and gives no explanation as to why their long hair would not result in reduced brain activity.

I wonder if Madison's Socialist groupies will now be cutting their hair. Kim Jong Il says it's the right thing to do.

PS. Blogger and I are having difficulties getting links pasted in.

Update: Linking tool fixed and link to original article provided.

February

It's dull and overcast here. We're still slogging through all the walk-in registration paperwork. I asked my office manager, who's handling all the paper, how many walk-ins did she think we had. She quickly responded 300. That means we had 1,200, not 1,100 as I had assumed last Friday. So it's even bigger. Yikes!

My UK eBay purchases are starting to dribble in. A polo shirt for my new fav brew, Old Speckled Hen, came today. Nice. Still awaiting my real Barbour. I was going to wear the fake today. Wearing a thin sweater over a shirt and tried it. Too tight. I had the Espousa try it on just for grins and it was just a hair large according to her. That's it, I'm finally throwing in the towel. It goes to a b-i-l for Christmas next year, if not sooner.

BTW, two months and counting. Yippee!

And another thing: If you think I've been slacking since the Moss post, please note the updates at the end of that post.

Update: I've got the ability to provide links back so I've been able to update the last few posts with links.