Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
You know it’s going to be an interesting start to the week when hear both “Raindays and Mondays” and “Manic Monday” on your five minute drive to work, which is exactly what happened to me this morning. Sure makes you want to get out of the car and start the week. So with that in mind, just a few random thoughts for this week:
Thought 1: A Gift
I have had some very lovely correspondence during the past few days with one Jason Archinaco, son of the late Frank Archinaco, who recently came across the article I wrote about his Dad, the late former PPG/PGW executive. Anyone who knew Frank Archinaco, knew of his love for golf and Jason was kind enough to share this link from a story written about his father shortly after his passing. I think you will enjoy reading the story of his love of golf here and thanks for sharing it Jason.
Thought 2. A Good Impression
I was very impressed with the government in Toronto as it attempts to work its way through the whole glass balcony issue there. (We’ve been covering this extensively on usgnn.com) The Toronto City Council passed a series of measures last week that includes the following language:
Direct the chief building official and executive director, Toronto Building to advise Industry Canada, Canadian Glass Association, the Safety Glazing Certification Council and the Glass Association of North America (GANA) of the results of the City’s analysis of glass panel safety in balcony guards and encourage these organizations to communicate and coordinate a comprehensive review of compliance safety standards for the manufacturing of non-metallic product used to produce architectural glazing materials.
Hats off to Toronto for really studying the issue enough to understand the groups and players with which it should be communicating.
Thought 3–Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
Okay, is it me or has the Christmas and Holiday season turned into the most crass overly commercialized one ever? In past years at least there was a whisper of what it was really about … but not any more. Just ask that really annoying red-tracksuited hysterical women in the ads for Target. Christmas now is a burden, it is something to get through, get done, get finished, like a big bad though timed exam. Christmas, it seems, has nothing to do with Christmas any more. Which is the real shame of it all, after all. As you can tell, that Target woman drives me nuts. How about you? Do you have any commercial of the season that getting under your skin. Drop me a line and let me know and maybe we will take a survey and award a “debbie” to the most annoying one.
Have a less manic rest-of-the-week,
Deb
On the other hand, the closing scene from “Home Alone,” where the older next door neighbor is seen welcoming his grandaughter and his son and his wife to his home for the first time in what had been years.
That’s a good one too, Chuck, and so is a Charlie Brown Christmas. Of course, the sermon on Sunday was a really good reminder too … just turn off everything and focus on what really matters.
You are certainly more right than wrong about what Christmas has turned into but I think if we look hard enough, there is still a lot of good that can be gotten from this time of the year. Maybe what you need to do is to rent that old Jimmy Stewart movie … I think it is called “It’s A Wonderful Life” … and watch that a couple of times to get into the proper frame of mind. It always works on me. I know you can do it if you try!!! Lyle
Thanks Lyle. I am not really horrified for myself, but I just wonder what message kids about Christmas kids are going to take into their grown up years.
Just watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Saturday night. I have probably seen it 20 time sand it still gets me … it’s really a great movie with a great lesson.
If you want to get a true sense of the love associated with Christmas, take your kids or a group of kids Christmas caroling at a local nursing/assisted living home, as we did this past weekend. The tears of joy and appreciation that will flow will anchor you in to the true meaning of Christmas! Sometimes you have to make an effort to find these opportunities, ignoring what the commercialized society tries to dictate. It’s up to each one of us to instill the true meaning of Christmas to those around us.
You are right Mark. It’s really not up to anyone or anything external to find Christmas for you. If the right things matter, you find it for yourself.
How wonderful that you and your family went caroling at a nursing home. I worked in a nursing home all through college and know firsthand that what you felt was real and I am sure the residents were extremely appreciative. Great thing to do.
Your recent “Issue at Hand” article in the November issue brought back many memories. As a sales and marketing guy in our industry for over forty years, I made sure that my family were involved; my office family became a part of me; and my customers also were treated like family. I made it a point to know the families of my colleagues and customers-names of wives and kids, hobbies and other general knowledge. It is amazing how much appreciation I received.
It is obvious you feel the same way.
Keep up the good work.
From an old retired glass warrior!