Remember me? I’m the person who goes into a restaurant, sits down patiently and waits while the servers do everything but take my order.
I’m the person who goes into a reception area on time for a business appointment, and stands by the desk while the receptionist finishes her personal phone call.
You might say I’m a patient person. But do you know who else I am?
I’m the person who never comes back.
Read Full Story: Satisfied customers create repeat sales — timesunion.com
Satisfied customers create repeat sales
Posted Tuesday, May 31st, 2005 by JustinEx-FBI official says he’s ‘Deep Throat’
Posted Tuesday, May 31st, 2005 by Justin
W. Mark Felt, who retired from the FBI after rising to its second most senior position, has identified himself as the “Deep Throat” source quoted by The Washington Post to break the Watergate scandal that led to President Nixon’s resignation, Vanity Fair magazine said Tuesday.
Read Full Story: Ex-FBI official says he’s ‘Deep Throat’ - Politics - MSNBC.com
Identification Required for travel outside of the United States
Posted Friday, May 27th, 2005 by Justin
Beginning January 1, 2006 a United States citizen will be required to have a passport for any countries other than Mexico, Canada, San Juan or the US Virgin Islands. As of December 31, 2007 passports will be required for travel to any destination outside of the United States.
Japan’s Birth Rate Hits “Record Low”
Posted Friday, May 27th, 2005 by Justin(LifeSiteNews.com) Japan’s birthrate continues to fall, with a record low of 1.28 in 2004, according to a report released Wednesday. The birthrate, which has been falling for decades, now ranks among the lowest in the world. It dropped 0.01 points from the previous low of 1.29 in 2003, making it the lowest recorded number of births in a year since records began there in 1899.
The country’s population will begin its decline next year, dropping from its current 128 million to 126 million by 2015, and to 101 million by 2050, bringing with it catastrophic effects. Most fear the economic repercussions.Read Full Story: Japan’s Birth Rate Hits “Record Low”
The Wynn Wraps Guests in Technology
Posted Friday, May 27th, 2005 by Justin
Steve Wynn’s new property, Wynn Las Vegas, is setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. The hotel features specialized room keys (similar to Carnival’s Sail & Sign Card), VoIP phones, 2 flat panel TVs in the room(One in the room and one in the bathroom), an input for your mp3 player, a printer/fax machine, high-speed internet access (15 megabits per second - our high speed connection at work is less than 1 megabit), and much more. I think Jim Louderback’s review below is too critical of the property, but his review gives you a good idea of the potential technology has for the hospitality industry. I think Steve Wynn should be commended for trying. .. just give the hotel time to work out all the technology bugs.
Read Full Story: Column from PC Magazine: The Wynn Wraps Guests in Technology
Also be sure to check out the pictures that go along with the review.
Italian restaurant may sue after Clinton fails to honor booking
Posted Thursday, May 26th, 2005 by Justin
(Halbrook.net) When the owner of one of Rome’s most fashionable restaurants received a booking from Bill Clinton and his entourage, he was happy to clear the tables and order in his best food and wine. But Romeo Caraccio was left furious after the former president of the United States and his party failed to show up without bothering to cancel their reservation. Now the owner of the Michelin-starred Agata e Romeo restaurant is considering claiming compensation for lost takings after the high-profile no-show.
Read Full Story: Italian restaurant may sue after Clinton fails to honor booking
President Bush Says Best Way to Honor Pope John Paul is to “Build a Culture of Life”
Posted Thursday, May 26th, 2005 by Justin
(LifeSiteNews.com) Bush and Archbishop Chaput Address National Catholic Prayer Breakfast
President Bush spoke this week at the second annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington. At the breakfast Bush said he was happy to address attendees and “to pray that America uses the gift of freedom to build a culture of life.”
Read Full Story: President Bush Says Best Way to Honor Pope John Paul is to “Build a Culture of Life”
Caught On Tape: Woman Burns Clerk With Coffee
Posted Thursday, May 26th, 2005 by Justin
I heard about this on the radio yesterday and had to find the article to post here. The link below even has the video of the whole thing.
(TheIndyChannel.com) A convenience store clerk in Kokomo is recovering from minor burns Wednesday morning.
He was doused with a cup of coffee, and the entire incident was caught on tape.
Read Full Story: Caught On Tape: Woman Burns Clerk With Coffee
A different sort of campus copyright fight - Tech News & Reviews - MSNBC.com
Posted Tuesday, May 24th, 2005 by Justin
Publishers concerned as more professors put readings online
Read Full Story: A different sort of campus copyright fight - Tech News & Reviews - MSNBC.com
Prepay mortgage or invest, that’s the question
Posted Tuesday, May 24th, 2005 by JustinI first started reading about this when I used Bankrate.com’s 15-year mortgage or 30-year mortgage calculator to determine what kind of loan to get for our new house. For us, based on my young age and low interest rates, it told us the best thing to do was get the 30-year loan and invest more in my 401k plan.
Media’s coverage of religion
Posted Tuesday, May 24th, 2005 by Justin(Zenit.org) One of the first public acts of Benedict XVI was an address to representatives of the media in Rome on April 23. After thanking them for all their efforts in covering the death of John Paul II and the subsequent conclave the Pope noted: “The possibilities opened up for us by modern means of social communication are indeed marvelous and extraordinary!”
The Pontiff expressed his desire to continue the “fruitful dialogue” with the media begun by John Paul II. But Benedict XVI also had some recommendations to make for those working in communications.
Read Full Story: Benedict XVI Reaches Out to Media
Parents of Terri Schiavo Meet with Pope, Thank Vatican Cardinal for Support
Posted Friday, May 20th, 2005 by Justin
(LifeSiteNews.com) - The parents of Terri Schiavo met with Pope Benedict XVI today and gave him a framed photo of their deceased daughter. Yesterday Bob and Mary Schindler met with Renato Cardinal Martino to thank him personally for his attempts to save the life of their cognitively disabled daughter in March.
Read Full Story: Parents of Terri Schiavo Meet with Pope, Thank Vatican Cardinal for Support
Should cities offer free Wi-Fi? - Internet
Posted Friday, May 20th, 2005 by Justin(cnet.com) Let’s face it: the United States has very spotty broadband coverage. Except in major markets, regular consumers have little or no choice of a broadband provider. And even in cities with several providers, the incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) and cable companies have little financial incentive to deploy anything really exciting, such as total wireless coverage with support for roaming.Read Full Story: Should cities offer free Wi-Fi? - Internet
FCC Set to Require 911 Dialing for Internet Phones
Posted Wednesday, May 18th, 2005 by Justin
(eweek.com) Internet telephone providers will soon have to offer full emergency 911 calling services under an order U.S. regulators are expected to adopt Thursday in response to incidents of customers having trouble getting help.
Court Lets Wine Lovers Buy Out-Of-State
Posted Tuesday, May 17th, 2005 by Justin
Wine lovers may buy directly from out-of-state vineyards, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, striking down laws banning a practice that has flourished because of the Internet and growing popularity of winery tours.
Read Full Story: Court Lets Wine Lovers Buy Out-Of-State
Customer Tackles Deer in Neb. Wal-Mart
Posted Tuesday, May 17th, 2005 by Justin
So exactly how do you stop a charging deer in Wal-Mart? You take away its credit card.
Shoppers at the Wal-Mart here wish they would have thought of that. It would have been a whole lot easier.
Read Full Story: Customer Tackles Deer in Neb. Wal-Mart
Vegas casino bets on RFID
Posted Monday, May 16th, 2005 by Justin
(News.com) Casino mogul Steve Wynn has pulled out all the stops for his new $2.7 billion mega-resort in Las Vegas: an 18-hole championship golf course, a private lake and mountain, and a bronze tower housing 2,700 plush guest rooms.
But when its doors open in April, the Wynn Las Vegas will have one unique feature that few visitors are likely to notice–high-tech betting chips designed to deter counterfeiting, card-counting and other bad behavior.
Read Full Story: Vegas casino bets on RFID | CNET News.com
Waiting Period Waived for John Paul II
Posted Sunday, May 15th, 2005 by Justin
Benedict XVI Opens Predecessor’s Cause of Beatification
ROME, MAY 13, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI announced the he will dispense with the five-year waiting period, established by Canon Law, to open John Paul II’s cause of beatification.
Finger Traced to Woman Who Blamed Wendy’s - Yahoo! News
Posted Sunday, May 15th, 2005 by JustinIt took eight weeks, but investigators finally know where the finger came from that a woman claimed she found in her bowl of Wendy’s chili.Read Full Story: Finger Traced to Woman Who Blamed Wendy’s - Yahoo! News
Enormous hot dog stolen
Posted Sunday, May 15th, 2005 by JustinPolice are looking for a hot dog that’s REALLY hot — as in stolen.
A sign featuring a giant wiener has gone missing from the Ebenezer Grill. But investigators believe the suspects should be easy to spot.“It’s tough to hide a 10-foot weenie,” Rock Hill police Lt. Jerry Waldrop said.
Read Full Story: USATODAY.com - Enormous hot dog stolen
Forgetfulness can cost you at airports
Posted Thursday, May 12th, 2005 by Justin
When we flew to Michigan, I’m glad that, at the last minute, I remembered to place the pocketknife from my pocket into my checked luggage. The Southwest agent was tagging my bags when I remembered that I still had my pocketknife in my pocket. I wonder how many people unintentionally come to a security checkpoint with prohibited items.
Forgetfulness isn’t a crime, but these days it could get you fined and your name placed on a government security database.
The fines are being handed out at airports across the country to travelers caught trying to pass through security with banned items in their carry-on baggage. Fines can range as high as $10,000 and a criminal referral, according to the penalty guidelines established by the Transportation Security Administration.
Read full story: Forgetfulness can cost you at airports - Terrorism & Security - MSNBC.com
FREE Frosty Weekend
Posted Thursday, May 12th, 2005 by Justin
This weekend, Wendy’s is giving away a free Frosty Jr. No purchase required.
They are trying to get customers to eat again at Wendy’s after an embarrassing incident where a woman allegedly planted a finger in her bowl of chili. She faked the stunt and is now facing criminal charges. This incident has severely damaged Wendy’s reputation, resulting in a 20% drop in business.
Help support Wendy’s and buy a meal when you go to get your free frosty.
(Wendys.com) This weekend Wendy’s is giving away free, cool and creamy Jr. Frostys. Icy-cold, chocolaty refreshment, absolutely Free. No coupon needed. No purchase necessary. Just come in and say “Free Frosty”. A “please” would be nice, but not required either.
Available in the US, its territories and select international markets (does not include Canada). At participating Wendy’s while supplies last. Limit one per customer. Friday, May 13th through Sunday, May 15th.
More information:
- Wendy’s plans Frosty giveaway following ‘chili finger’ event (CNN.com)
- Wendy’s chili story damages company’s rep (ClarkHoward.com)