Hot water and other thoughts.

Posted on November 20, 2008
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Too many columns begin with a recap of the day’s temperature, location in the calendar or relative light or darkness. Not mine. Not today. Today I’m all about confessions. It’s the new, open and transparent Jeff Cutler. Join me as I list a few thoughts I’ve had germinating, ruminating and otherwise rotting in my skull.

I have no idea how the water heater works. Each morning, the first person in my household to shower starts off with a tepid barrage of H2O. Nary 15 minutes later, the second person in enjoys a blissful, steam-filled experience of piping hot needles of water. Shouldn’t the person who showers later have a worse experience? Early bird, worm, warm shower and all that?

Why does mail take longer to travel east than it does west? This is probably a condition of the time zones, but could it be that simple? For years, I sent letters to a girlfriend in Chicago every week or so. She sent letters back at the same frequency. Our letter-sending match of tennis had one constant - aside from the fact her letters were astonishingly heartfelt and moving while mine were drivel and simplistic. That was the time it took my letter to reach her was on average 22 hours shorter than it took her letters to reach me.

If we’re using the time-zone defense, I would think her letters would have been the fast ones. As you go west, the post office is open later and therefore can jet mail eastward later into the night than the PO’s on the coast. Whatever. We broke up for reasons that couldn’t be properly explained in a letter, so I guess it doesn’t matter.

What’s with the shell game that shoe manufacturers play? As I’ve gotten older I’ve located precious few shoes that make my dogs happy. Taking some of the blame, I haven’t been proactive enough buy multiple pairs when I find the perfect pair. But my naivety keeps me strolling down a path that tells me a shoe style might stay around longer than four months.

On my feet and in the closet right now are relics of the shoe industry. I have Merrells, Clarks, Reeboks and Johnston & Murphy shoes that are no longer being made. Don’t even start about running shoes and sports-specific styles that buzz through stores as fast as the athletes who endorse them.

You read it here first. As of today I pledge to take the second shower as often as I can, sent mail only from east to west, and stock up on shoes I love. If you see some wet guy at the mall with a batch of postcards in one hand and a shopping bag full of Merrells in the other, give him a wide berth. He’s easily confused and you don’t want to wind up in his next column.

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All Tech Considered. Writer’s report.

Posted on November 18, 2008
Filed Under Main, Writing Opps | Leave a Comment

You might be overly concerned that I’ve been neglecting this particular blog, and I don’t blame you. I’ve been busy.

With CES 2009 on the horizon and multiple assignments for Gatehouse Media on my plate, finding the time to blog has been tough.

Add to that my NaNoWriMo challenge (which stands now at 29,850 words on my way to 50,000) and you’ve got a recipe for blank electronic pages.

Stay tuned, though. there are a few story ideas in the pipeline that will figure into the upcoming editoral offerings here.

Need I say it?

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Leaving something in the tank.

Posted on November 13, 2008
Filed Under Fiction, Main | Leave a Comment

It’s about 11:55 on Wednesday night and I just wrapped up my writing for the night. OK, this is also writing but it’s stream-of-consciousness and easy to jot down.

I wanted to share with you a quick thought about my writing during NaNoWriMo. Each night when I finish up a paragraph or a sentence, I do so with the intent of leaving something in the tank.

This, presumably will allow me to jump back in the next day and churn out another 1700 words. By the way, I’m now up to 19,834. And that’s the problem.

Now that I wrapped up for the night (and these words are applied through WEDNESDAY, so I now have another 1700 to write because it’s past midnight) I see that I’m only 166 words away from 20,000. That’s pretty awesome.

But it’s also a little odd that I felt compelled to stop before that milestone. Is it a safety move so when I write on Thursday I’ll just blast through that measuring stick and end the day with 21,000+?

Is it fear of that 20,000-word barrier?

Not sure on either count. But I do know my hands are tired and I need a nap. So I’m leaving some vapors in the tank and I’ll see you here again soon.

If you’re doing NaNoWriMo too, keep up the good work!

If you’re not, I urge you to enjoy and make the most of whatever you’re working on.

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CES Unveiled - NYC Pre-show

Posted on November 11, 2008
Filed Under Assignment, For Sale, Main | Leave a Comment

I’m currently on a Fung Wah bus (bad judgement) from the Consumer Electronics Show Press Briefing (good judgement) and I’m trying to sort out the stuff I learned about this afternoon.

Everything I saw, save two items, was just an improvement on existing technology. If that’s what the world is about, that’s fine, but my editors are asking me to find the next great thing.

Perhaps that’s how all newsrooms operate. And I know that’s how it is after 20 years in the business. But in a down economy that’s seeing venture capital evaporate and layoffs come back at a greater pace than when F&*^%$Company.com was around, I don’t think miracles are going to show up on the CES Exhibit Floor.

Maybe I’m mistaken. Maybe the people like Motorola, with dual touchscreen technology will wow consumers and the media. Maybe miniature projectors will become the rage as kids decide to host parties where they can show YouTube videos on gym walls, and maybe headphone technology has taken another leap forward with advances in materials and sound limiter tech. But I’m not sure.

The event tonight promised to give us things to think about, and it did. It was totally worth the bus trip (barring a horrible, skin-scalding, shield your child’s eyes implosion) and the expense of $42 for transportation, $2 for a pretzel and $12 for a meal in Chinatown.

I think I have five solid stories. I have a new contact at Popular Science. I still have a shot at getting Diana Ross tickets. And I’m poised to make CES 2009 a masterpiece of journalistic perfection.

That being said, I am certainly glad I didn’t fly out here from California or even from another country. The paltry hall featuring 50 or so exhibitors was hardly worth a cross-country or international journey. Nor was the weak press conference.

The best info I got from being there early was that the coat check room was free and that CEA did a ton of great research that I’m gonna use for article background in January.

Other than that, the live filming of Jeopardy, the Diana Ross concert, the Silver Summit (seniors need apply), all was info that I could have gotten online from the comfort of my living room.

I’m not faulting the event, but am saying that in a time of fiscal conservativism, maybe this isn’t the way new media will be conducted. The open bar, great food and freebies from exhibitors may dry up again like they did in 2000. So doesn’t it make sense to pull in the reins a little bit now and save the industry than to go out with a monstrous bang?

I’m just asking becuase that seems to be my destiny as I hurtle homeward on Fung Wah.

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Healthcare mandatory in MA? Evidently not at Aspiant.

Posted on November 7, 2008
Filed Under Column, Feature, For Sale, Main, New Media Friday | 22 Comments

It came to my attention Thursday that not everyone is pleased with the results of the election. Be it the choice by the country of a new President or the changes in Massachusetts laws (we still have an income tax and now we can’t bet on dogs), but one firm in Cambridge has notified its employees that healthcare has just become more expensive.

The company - Aspiant of Cambridge - sent an email out Tuesday night minutes after the election results had been announced on the major networks, saying that the company would no longer contribute any money to employees’ healthcare plans.

I was given a copy of that email by an employee and decided to share it with my readers.

Here’s the text of that email. I’ve stripped out the addresses of the employee who provided it and also removed Aspiant CEO’s cell phone number, but have left the time stamp and all other information intact.

From: Mirko Geffken
Subject: Health Insurance Employer Contribution Elimination and Travel Reimbursement Elimination
To:
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 11:02 PM

Hi All,

with the recent events Aspiant is no longer able to provide a health insurance contribution. This means that effective with the next payroll the employer contribution to healthcare is reduced from 50% to 0%. Also, all previously authorized travel reimbursement, including MBTA passes and all other travel reimbursements are hereby revoked.

Effectively this means that the portion you are paying for healthcare will double.

Unfortunately these steps are necessary because it is uncertain that future legal developments will allow for a reduction in benefits. To preempt this development this change is made effective immediately. It is likely that with the change in administration alternative health insurance options will become available that may reduce your health insurance obligation.

It is also likely that our tax obligations will increase and it is unlikely that a raise in rates will be possible from our client in these economic times.

If anyone is interested in researching alternative health plans (PPO only) that provide similar coverage (with maybe higher deductables) feel free to do so and let me know if you find one of interest. Please be aware that MA law requires you to have healthcare coverage, so it is not possible to drop coverage altogether.

I regret having to move in this direction, but this is the partially the cost of doing business in the state of Massachusetts and the impact that future policies will have on this organization.

I can only hope that future elections will provide a more positive environment for business or further measures will have to be taken.

As always should you have any questions feel free to see me.

All the best

Mirko

–
Mirko Geffken
President & CEO
Aspiant, Inc.
Cell:
Tel. (877) 527-7426 x501
Fax. (877) 527-7426

I was unable to confirm if this tactic or measure is legal under Massachusetts law. I’ve also been unable to find out what the impetus for this move was. I’ll try to chase down more of this story as it develops and find out from some healthcare advocates in the state to see if this move is legal or where the abandoned employees can get assistance.

But in a time of economic challenges, wouldn’t you think a business owner might have some compassion for his employees? Further, all contributions into these plans are still deductible on the firm’s taxes.

Maybe the guy is just being a dink because his ballot question, candidate or dog had a bad day.

If he just doesn’t like Obama, he’s still got 70 days to deal with the regulations under the old administration.

I especially like how he says that “all previously authorized travel reimbursement, including MBTA passes and all other travel reimbursements are hereby revoked.” That’s a nice touch. Hope people didn’t travel far for the company on their own dime and now can’t get reimbursed.

Also interesting is the fact the company lists two positions available on its Website and gives the following text as enticement to come work for Mirko…

Aspiant is constantly looking for highly-skilled consultants specializing in Microsoft technologies. We seek candidates with a strong desire to learn and stay on top of technologies in their line of work and look for a company that supports their ambitions.

If you are seeking a consulting position with a highly capable and team-oriented environment, please send your resume and a brief description describing what it is you are best at to:

Whatever the case, I’m sure his clients, prospective investors, family and friends will be interested to see how he treats his corporate family.

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Ron Sylvester Shares his Election Thoughts

Posted on November 4, 2008
Filed Under Feature, Main, Non-Fiction | Leave a Comment

While working at WBUR Boston tonight, I spoke via email with Ron Sylvester about his remembrances of past elections. Follow him on Twitter if you’re so inclined. And read here some of his thoughts about the voting process in the United States and his experiences. Enjoy.

I’ve always been interested in presidential elections, probably because my father was a broadcast journalist. I remember getting to stay up late to watch the returns of Humphrey/Nixon. It went into the wee hours, and I had to go to bed before the election was decided. I woke up and Nixon was president. I was like in the fourth grade then.

Nixon won re-election in a landslide. Not every exciting, and after Watergate Carter’s election was predictable.

Carter/Reagan was the first election I got to vote in. Voted for Carter. Cable was new then and me and college buddies sat and drank beer all night and watched TBS show a Reagan marathon after he won. That’s what I remember about that night.

We expected an exciting election in ‘92 and friends were ready for an exciting night, keeping track of the states as they came in. We were all supporting Clinton and were sure he was going to change the country, as the first president of the rock ‘n’ roll generation. That didn’t last very long: Clinton began winning states and it was evident early that he was going to roll. But the lead-up to that night, the anticipation that the leadership of the country was ready to be handed to a new generation, was very close to this one.

Of course, 2000, was the most exciting, with the Florida goes to Gore, no, to Bush, wait, who voted, now it goes to the Supreme Court. It doesn’t get more dramatic than that. People went to bed that night thinking Gore had won and woke up not knowing who was going to be president.

But I think the excitement of tonight goes beyond the race, the numbers, the margin of victory, as we look toward an historic election.

I grew up remembering vividly the days Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were killed. Those were moments that defined my generation and changed our country. I often wonder what might have happened if RFK had gone on to be president. We might have avoided Watergate, and all the damage that did to the faith in the country. On the other hand, in hindsight, we have seen the Kennedys can also contribute to their own scandals. But I like to think things would have been different. Obama offers that same kind of hope Bobby gave in those stirring speeches, which I can still remember, despite being so young.

There are some key issues that define this election. I believe we are going to see big crowds of people, who have never voted before, who have felt disenfranchised in previous elections, getting out to vote. And I believe that could point to a more decisive victory for Obama. I also wonder what might happen if McCain pulls an upset, and what this might say about our country.

The reason this is such an exciting election for me is the promise that, after all these years, Martin Luther King’s dream might be realized: today, a man will be judged by the content of his character and not the color of his skin.

Thanks Ron!

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