Duke lost. It was a nice season. ACC Tournament Championship. Visit to second weekend of the tournament. I'll stop there. Can't wait till next season!
Parathyroid update. My seems to be working overtime. That's what the lab tests say. I met with a surgeon this morning. He is running one more test that should give a precise set of data to make an exact decision. Prospects for surgery are rising. I can definitely tell I suffering from one of the symptoms of thyroid malfunction: fatigue. I could go to sleep at almost anytime during the day. I've too much to do to be worrying about this mess.
Its been raining in Atlanta over the last few days a lot. We desperately need the rain, but man does it junk of the flow of things in this city. Traffic is a nightmare and Atlanta is such a walking city downtown, it really makes things more complicated walking to various locations and trying to stay dry. My new job has me dealing with the homeless on a daily basis and it reminds me of how much harder life is when weather is an issue. The guys really have a hard time trying to survive inclement weather conditions.
It makes me thankful for my reliable car and house.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Funny product
I was looking through coupons in the Sunday Paper when I stumbled across a really funny product. Its the "Don't forget my Senior Discount!" ball cap. What a niche product!
Obviously it has a practical use for those looking to get senior discounts at fast food restaurants and other places offering such a deal. However, very quickly I began thinking of other uses for this product.
Such as giving it to anybody who turns 40, any woman, somebody who frequents really upscale places but still wants to cut a deal, anyone graying early, anyone balding early, your Senior Pastor (you could claim it encourages good stewardship), a teenager looking for something to complete their non-conformist outfit, a dad trying to embarass their kids, a husband trying embarass his wife, or your local AARP chapter leader because they seem to be angling for that type of thing all the time.
Basically, this is a terrible product with its only value being comedy or insult. Wait that makes it a great product.
Final note: Thanks for the support and congrats on Stacey getting her residency match. We're relieved and excited to be staying in Atlanta. We celebrated the happening this week by watching Duke get to the Sweet Sixteen, Go Blue Devils!
Obviously it has a practical use for those looking to get senior discounts at fast food restaurants and other places offering such a deal. However, very quickly I began thinking of other uses for this product.
Such as giving it to anybody who turns 40, any woman, somebody who frequents really upscale places but still wants to cut a deal, anyone graying early, anyone balding early, your Senior Pastor (you could claim it encourages good stewardship), a teenager looking for something to complete their non-conformist outfit, a dad trying to embarass their kids, a husband trying embarass his wife, or your local AARP chapter leader because they seem to be angling for that type of thing all the time.
Basically, this is a terrible product with its only value being comedy or insult. Wait that makes it a great product.
Final note: Thanks for the support and congrats on Stacey getting her residency match. We're relieved and excited to be staying in Atlanta. We celebrated the happening this week by watching Duke get to the Sweet Sixteen, Go Blue Devils!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A Nice Dinner Party
Last night we had a few friends over for a dinner party themed around March Madness. Less dinner party and more bring food, laugh, and watch the games, it was a really enjoyable evening.
I wish we did more casual social gatherings. People bring something to share and then for the next few hours you just have fun enjoying each other. We like to bring a theme or activity into the mix just to give a little direction, but we're never tied to it.
It takes a little work on the front end (cleaning, preparing some food) but thanks to online technologies letting people know about the event and inviting them to come is a snap. Makes it really easy to plan a fun and memorable gathering in just minutes.
So here's to simple home based evenings of entertainment.
I wish we did more casual social gatherings. People bring something to share and then for the next few hours you just have fun enjoying each other. We like to bring a theme or activity into the mix just to give a little direction, but we're never tied to it.
It takes a little work on the front end (cleaning, preparing some food) but thanks to online technologies letting people know about the event and inviting them to come is a snap. Makes it really easy to plan a fun and memorable gathering in just minutes.
So here's to simple home based evenings of entertainment.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Day
Its been 4 years in the making. Today Stacey found out where she will do her residency in pediactrics. The ceremony is still ongoing as I write this over at Morehouse, but Stacey has been up to speak already. Thank goodness
She had received positive feedback from every place she interviewed. Duke, Baylor, Cincinnati, Orlando, Emory in Atlanta. It appeared the choice would be hers. Steller candidate. Yet the computer made the ultimate decision. You just never know. We were hoping for Emory, especially seeing how I just took a new job at North Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Our pastor and my boss was hoping for Emory. Still though there was no definite way to be sure. The answer awaited in the envelope given to her. I prayed on my way over that we would be faithful to God no matter what the decision. That we were ready for whatever plans He had for us. Easy prayer to pray before you know!
The students marched in, and number four in the drawing was Stacey. She stepped up on stage, gave some very heartfelt thanks to me, her mother, her friends, and the faculty. I am so proud. She is amazing, and will be an amazing pediatrician. She opened up her letter and I knew from her expression.
"I will be completing my residency in Pediactrics at...Emory.
Thank the Lord. What a blessing. Thanks to everyone who prayed for the situation. God is good.
She had received positive feedback from every place she interviewed. Duke, Baylor, Cincinnati, Orlando, Emory in Atlanta. It appeared the choice would be hers. Steller candidate. Yet the computer made the ultimate decision. You just never know. We were hoping for Emory, especially seeing how I just took a new job at North Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Our pastor and my boss was hoping for Emory. Still though there was no definite way to be sure. The answer awaited in the envelope given to her. I prayed on my way over that we would be faithful to God no matter what the decision. That we were ready for whatever plans He had for us. Easy prayer to pray before you know!
The students marched in, and number four in the drawing was Stacey. She stepped up on stage, gave some very heartfelt thanks to me, her mother, her friends, and the faculty. I am so proud. She is amazing, and will be an amazing pediatrician. She opened up her letter and I knew from her expression.
"I will be completing my residency in Pediactrics at...Emory.
Thank the Lord. What a blessing. Thanks to everyone who prayed for the situation. God is good.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Coffee shops
I'm fascinated to this day about how people gravitate to coffee shops to have conversations. The people of Starbucks and Caribou were brilliant when they set up such an environment to have people always choose them to meet and talk.
In the past two weeks I've met 3 different people for coffee at Starbucks. Each visit I was there I noticed atleast 2 job interviews taking place. Coffee shops are conveniently located, have parking, and give a neutral environment for people to meet in.
Plus these places serve a very nice compliment to conversation. You can get a muffin, or coffee, or a soft drink, and the environment is designed to enhance your conversation not simply serve you a product. In a sense the product is a place for you to meet.
For people in ministry I think it takes away some of the fear of going to the church to meet with a Pastor. Obviously some things need to be discussed behind closed doors. But for the things that are not information sensitive I think there is a nice energy that occurs when we embrace experiencing our day to day rhythms and cultures.
Less than a week until match day. As if March needed any more madness.
In the past two weeks I've met 3 different people for coffee at Starbucks. Each visit I was there I noticed atleast 2 job interviews taking place. Coffee shops are conveniently located, have parking, and give a neutral environment for people to meet in.
Plus these places serve a very nice compliment to conversation. You can get a muffin, or coffee, or a soft drink, and the environment is designed to enhance your conversation not simply serve you a product. In a sense the product is a place for you to meet.
For people in ministry I think it takes away some of the fear of going to the church to meet with a Pastor. Obviously some things need to be discussed behind closed doors. But for the things that are not information sensitive I think there is a nice energy that occurs when we embrace experiencing our day to day rhythms and cultures.
Less than a week until match day. As if March needed any more madness.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Cobb Stimulus Package
Today the Cobb household put into action the Cobb Stimulus Package. It involved several weeks worth of planning and logistics to successfully carry out the day. And today was a success.
We had a yard sale. We made $260 bucks subtracting out expenses, and everything we sold was something we were willing to give or throw away. We were decluttering the house and decided to give the yard sale concept a try to lesson the clutter. It was way more successful than I anticipated.
We posted the event on Craig's List. That brought out the hardcore yardsalers. You can tell they are hardcore when they pull up to the house in a mini van with the seats taken out and get out of the vehicle, simply leaving it running. They know very quickly whether they will make anything happen. We had some modest luck with them. A few small items here and there.
The main success came from the local hispanic community. Our advantage with this group was Stacey's ability to converse with them in Spanish. She was able to make them feel very comfortable and thus buy more than they probably would. 3/4 of our business went to this group.
We had some action from a couple of happen to be in the neighborhood couples and families and that cleared out some of the random items. A few medical students responded to Stacey's school email and bought some of her old books to round out the business.
The most interesting part of the whole day for me was observing the types of people that came and what kinds of things they bought. Two hispanic males bought a whole bunch of things at one point including some red heart candles. We figured they were out doing some shopping for their ladies.
I can't believe that we sold as much stuff as we did with as few customers as we had. Probably 3/4 of the visitors bought something.
In the end the star of the show was Stacey. She got full price for almost everything. I guess our pricing was good, but I also think people felt like they were getting an honest deal. Either way, I was impressed. She doesn't proclaim to be a sales person, but today she knocked it out of the park.
Less than two weeks till match day. The madness is increasing!
We had a yard sale. We made $260 bucks subtracting out expenses, and everything we sold was something we were willing to give or throw away. We were decluttering the house and decided to give the yard sale concept a try to lesson the clutter. It was way more successful than I anticipated.
We posted the event on Craig's List. That brought out the hardcore yardsalers. You can tell they are hardcore when they pull up to the house in a mini van with the seats taken out and get out of the vehicle, simply leaving it running. They know very quickly whether they will make anything happen. We had some modest luck with them. A few small items here and there.
The main success came from the local hispanic community. Our advantage with this group was Stacey's ability to converse with them in Spanish. She was able to make them feel very comfortable and thus buy more than they probably would. 3/4 of our business went to this group.
We had some action from a couple of happen to be in the neighborhood couples and families and that cleared out some of the random items. A few medical students responded to Stacey's school email and bought some of her old books to round out the business.
The most interesting part of the whole day for me was observing the types of people that came and what kinds of things they bought. Two hispanic males bought a whole bunch of things at one point including some red heart candles. We figured they were out doing some shopping for their ladies.
I can't believe that we sold as much stuff as we did with as few customers as we had. Probably 3/4 of the visitors bought something.
In the end the star of the show was Stacey. She got full price for almost everything. I guess our pricing was good, but I also think people felt like they were getting an honest deal. Either way, I was impressed. She doesn't proclaim to be a sales person, but today she knocked it out of the park.
Less than two weeks till match day. The madness is increasing!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
March Madness
Now is truly the most wonderful time of the year. In Atlanta we even had a little snow to start the month, so its practically Christmas. Why is it the most wonderful time of the year? College Basketball.
Why do I get so excited about the end of the college basketball season? I'm Duke fan number one. We're always relevant this time of year. Second, its a people gatherer. Filling out the tournament bracket is something that bring offices, churches and friends together.
We talk about our strategies behind the picks, we pick an underdog to root for. Its an activity that an 11 year old can do with their 75 year old grandparent. And now because of everything being hosted online its so easy to do.
These days I'm fascinated by any cultural happening that still gathers a large following. Things have become so niche oriented that I love to pick apart the items that appeal to the masses. College basketball tournament season is one of those things.
Health Update: Had an ultrasound and nothing is conclusive yet. Now I have to meet with a surgeon for a consult to probably do some further testing. The parathyroid is apparently a trick little part of the body to figure out.
Why do I get so excited about the end of the college basketball season? I'm Duke fan number one. We're always relevant this time of year. Second, its a people gatherer. Filling out the tournament bracket is something that bring offices, churches and friends together.
We talk about our strategies behind the picks, we pick an underdog to root for. Its an activity that an 11 year old can do with their 75 year old grandparent. And now because of everything being hosted online its so easy to do.
These days I'm fascinated by any cultural happening that still gathers a large following. Things have become so niche oriented that I love to pick apart the items that appeal to the masses. College basketball tournament season is one of those things.
Health Update: Had an ultrasound and nothing is conclusive yet. Now I have to meet with a surgeon for a consult to probably do some further testing. The parathyroid is apparently a trick little part of the body to figure out.
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