Jreggie's Blog

Avoid scheduling conflicts

jreggie — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:15:06 +0000

As I was lying on the couch watching the end of the Minnesota Vikings-Houston Texans game — and yes, I did watch an entire pre-season football game — my wife was chatting it up on the phone with one of her girlfriends about their upcoming 10-year Northview High School reunion.

Near the end of the conversation, I overheard the itinerary for this reunion, which consist of going to the Northview football game on Friday night, then meeting up at a local establishment on Saturday night.

I asked what was the date of this shindig, and my wife said, “Sept. 19.“

In a microsecond, my mind raced over the Auburn football schedule: Third game of the year, nationally televised game, kick-off at 6:45 p.m., West Virginia at Auburn, a revenge game.
A chill ran over my body. I blurted out, “Are you kidding me?” A hush fell over the house.

The call ended soon after, and all I could think of was why someone would schedule an event in football season. There are only three seasons in a year — spring, summer, and football season.

The class of 1999 has had 10 years to organize this reunion, and the smartest ones in this class decided to have it on a football Saturday night.

As a society, we have to think about scheduling events from September through February. This is a time of the year that people need to think about the feelings of our friends and family, and consider whether they are interfering with someone’s game day plans. There are only eight times a year that we can go to Auburn, Tuscaloosa or Troy and watch our favorite team. It is more than just a game to a lot of us. It is spending time with friends and family members who we only see once a year. It is about driving up to that little college town and getting goose bumps the first time you step on campus. It is the smell of grills, the sounds of tailgaters, the sight of a father throwing a football to his son, who may be a future college football player.

Now I am sure that I could watch this game on television, but would it be fair to my wife for me to be glued to a television — probably not even in HD — for three hours during her 10-year reunion?

The only advice I can offer is to never, ever, have a reunion, graduation, retirement party, wedding, wedding shower, birthday party, baby shower, funeral or even a birth on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday night in football season.

We can take this even further: No events should be scheduled during football season, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the NBA playoffs, the Stanley Cup, the NCAA basketball tournament, NASCAR races at Daytona or Talladega, the Indy 500, the World Cup, The Masters, The British Open, The Olympics, the Kentucky Derby, the UFC title fight and, especially, the Iron Bowl.

If you have to have an event during this time, make sure you have at least one — possibly two: one for Auburn and one for Alabama — 32-inch televisions, preferably in HD. These televisions should be positioned very close to the coolers and bathroom. And remember: If nobody shows up, it’s your fault.

Unwelcome serenade in parking lot

jreggie — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:11:53 +0000

I enjoy going to one of our local convenience stores and having someone pull up right beside me with their music volume on about a 92 out of a possible 100. I especially enjoy it when they leave their $300 car running as they walk into the store, and their music is still on that 92 range. It makes me feel all warm inside listening to the gibberish coming out of windows that are on the verge of exploding in my face.

Seriously, what is with everyone who thinks it is so cool to leave their car running and the music screaming while they go into the convenience store? Do they think that we all enjoy hearing their lovely brand of music? Is it some kind of new way to attract the opposite sex? Do they believe they will impress everyone at the convenience store, and will make a new best friend? Do they want the whole world to know they are so self-confident that they are daring someone to steal their car?

Just pull up, park the car, turn down the music and turn the car off. Nobody cares what you are listening to.

Cell Phone Etiquette Manual

jreggie — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:07:14 +0000

The world would be a lot less frustrating if cell phone companies would give you a cell phone etiquette handbook when you bought a phone. This manual should go over the “basics” which used to be called “common sense” when using your cell phone. Such as, you don’t have to scream into a cell phone the other party can hear you just fine. When shopping and talking do not stop in your tracks in the middle of the isle to use your cell phone. You should not talk on a cell phone when you are in a check-out line, it is rude to cashier and the people around you. Do not use the speaker phone feature in public places, and don’t put unsuspecting callers on speaker phone. When using the phone and guest shows up, get off the phone. If you are around other people and a call comes in, walk into another room to use your phone. Turn down your ringer volume your phone is only a few inches away from you. Don’t have music for a ringer, it’s not like you are going to break into dance every time you get a call.

Bluetooth earpieces are not jewelry. You don’t have to wear them all day long. Don’t make eye contact with strangers while using your Bluetooth, they can’t tell if you are talking to them or you are just insane.

When using your cell phone and you have a second incoming phone call apologize to caller one, and accept caller two. Let caller two become aware that you are on another call. Do not leave caller one waiting for a long time while you are talking to caller two. If caller two will not shut up while caller one is waiting then hang up on caller two and blame it as a dropped call by the carrier. Losing a phone face off to another caller can be a humiliating event.

Push to talk customers should only use this feature for short business communication. Beep “are you at the site”; beep “yes”. Don’t use this feature for personal, long winded, inaudible, and annoying conversations. Nobody cares that you are 3 months behind on your child support, or that your truck just broke down. You are making yourself look like a beeping fool.

Hello world!

jreggie — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:54:24 +0000

Hello