Caller ID - Part II

When I call an office and ask for "Jack," the person on the other end of the line often asks, "Sure, may I tell him who is calling?" I give them my name and I am transferred.

Here's where it gets weird ... "Jack" answers the phone with, "Hello this is Jack." Am I supposed to identify myself or does he already know it's me? If the receptionist did their job, he should be able to answer with, "hi Justin."

Please, if someone tells you who is calling, just answer with "Hi, (enter name here)."

Caller ID - Part I

Often I receive phone calls and get identify the caller with that handy 21st Century invention, caller ID. Of course I will usually answer with, "Hi Jane."

Often, Jane says, "Hi Justin, how did you know it was me?"

At this point, isn't there really only one way to know who is calling? Do people assume I have some psychic ability and can identify a caller without a caller ID function on the phone?

Grilled Burger In My Pants Pocket

Finding a $20 bill in your pants pocket is one of the best feelings in the word. Hell, even a buck or two is nice. Well my wife and I had the food equivalent of that today.

We went to a paper supply company at lunchtime to look for party invitation envelopes. Little did we know, on this very day, the store was throwing a customer appreciation party. They were grilling burgers, hot dogs and Louisana Hot Links with all the fixings. I planned on buying a quick bite to eat after we did our shopping, but that was not necessary. Instead of finding unexpected money, I found an unexpected hamburger with lettuce, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

Thank you Kelly Paper!

Baseball on the Waterfront

Land Field -- the former home park for the San Diego Padres baseball team -- and its surroundings, are just about everything you would want in a baseball field.

Imagine sitting in those left field stands, watching cruise and cargo ships sail in from Point Loma. The Coronado Ferry working hard, beyond the home plate gate, transferring passengers across the bay. From the seats behind home plate, you could see the Santa Fe Depot, a target for a Spalding baseball some ½ mile away.

I wish I could have been here to see it.

Fifth Floor Please

Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay just released its 2006 schedule. August 24 brings Air Supply and Christopher Cross. I wonder if that comes with a free elevator ride to go along with the evening of elevator music?

What Percent Are You

I grew up drinking 2% milk and made the switch to 1% about five years ago. I usually only drink milk to wash it down with stuff like cookies or cake, or in a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats. Because I didn't drink it that often, I only bought half gallons and usually didn't even finish that.

Now that I'm married, I'm glad my wife and I can polish off a gallon before the jug turns sour. And I especially love those fresh, soft, chocolate chip cookies we eat with that milk.

So, what's your percent?

Dubya Bee See

We just returned from the finals of the World Baseball Classic. It was a nice atmosphere. With the exception of the 1984 Summer Games, it was the first international sporting event I've attended. I enjoyed it, and the baseball, for the most part, was fun to watch. It was upsetting to see the Team Cub manager change pitchers so often. To me it showed a poor display of sportsmanship to interrupt the game flow like that, especially when they were down five runs in the late innings.

Ulimately it was a great weekend of baseball and nice to be part of the inaugural event.