David Weiss, Paybyweb's Founder and President, shares his personal and professional thoughts.
04.14.2010 - "Baseball and the Baby"
I grew up in the 60’s and was pretty much in to baseball. I collected baseball cards. I played catch, running bases, little league, and pickle…all summer (growing up in the Detroit area). I can still remember the entire 1968 Detroit Tigers team. That was then.
Later in life, baseball was, ehh…okay. I really didn’t follow it much. Didn’t care about it much. When the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were awarded their franchise, I decided this would be a great opportunity to expose my young boys, 3 & 5, to the sport that I loved growing up. I bought season tickets for the inaugural season. Not a great idea. The boys were more into their game-boys than sport. They couldn’t wait to leave the ball-park. That was an expensive season. Once again, baseball took a back-burner.
That all changed in 2008. My youngest was born on the fourth of July and had health issues, including reflux and colic. He was in constant pain and needed to be held, rocked, walked, etc. Life was stressful. While pacing the bedroom one night, baby in arms, I noticed that he seemed to be watching the tv. Odd…he was just a few months old. On the TV…baseball. When I changed the channel, he seemed to lose interest, but when baseball was on, he really seemed to settle down and even watch. Needless to say, my wife was shocked when I showed her this. But…for whatever reason, he calmed when the games were on. His health improved and he continued to show interest in 2009 as well.
Here we are in 2010, baseball season just started a couple of weeks ago. Last night, as I sat on the edge of the bed watching the Tampa Bay Rays come back in the 8th inning to tie, and eventually beat the Baltimore Orioles, I couldn’t help but appreciate that my little buddy, soon to be 2, was sitting on my knee…watching the game with me. He might have a binky in his mouth. He might be holding his Lovey (blanket), but he keeps pointing to the TV while we watch and shakes his head to the affirmative as I ask him, “Do you like watching baseball with Daddy?”
This year, I purchased season tickets again. I know he’s just a baby, but this baby brought me back to Baseball.
01.13.2010 - "Boneless Wings"
Over the last 25 yrs, chicken wings have gone from being a throw-away to multi Billion dollar industry. From Hooters and all of its imitators, people love chicken wings. I happen to love chicken wings. However, I have a bone to pick with those who attempt to deceive us with BONELESS WINGS. In all of my years, I have yet to see a chicken with wings containing no bones (or cartilage). All wings have bones...period. Selling cut up chicken breast as boneless wings is a ridiculous. Why can we buy a breaded chicken breast sandwich for next to nothing, but 5 tiny "boneless" chicken wings are almost $5? Wings are NOT boneless. You are almost always better off either buying the wings (bones and all), or getting a chicken breast and cutting it up yourself. The food service industry should correct this poor attempt at collecting the mighty cluck...I mean buck, and call it what it is. Boneless wings are for the birds!
11.20.2008 - "Begging for money"
We have all heard from the ailing Automakers, begging Congress for a hand-out. They showed up in their nice suits, written speeches in hand, stressing the need for the money, lest they not be able to pay their employees and possibly end up closing.
How did they arrive at the meeting? The three CEO's of Chrysler, GM, and Ford flew in their personal corporate jets. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?? If I were heading to Washington to beg Congress for money that was desperately needed to keep my company afloat, I would make sure to be videotaped getting off the GREYHOUND BUS in Washington. When did these gents suffer their break from reality? Who would be dumb enough to spend $20k in Company assets to fly to Washington on their $36 MILLION dollar airplane to beg for money?? These guys have totally lost their minds. They deserve what they get. The stockholders who agree to pay these people deserve what they get. The employees who vote to keep the unions in place so that the employees receive more than double the national average while pricing the cars out of reach, deserve what they get. I say, let em fail! It's Darwin at his best. The strong, the efficient, the HUNGRY, will survive and flourish. The auto industry has gotten fat, lazy, and a burden...it's time for a change, and the more severe...the Better.
09.29.2008 - Commercials I hate! #1
Senior Citizen Indy racer (Richard Petty) pulls into a gas station and starts pumping gas. "I can't help it...it's in my blood.", he says. What? Driving 80mph through a gas station is in your blood?
Here in Florida, we see tons of car accidents involving seniors who should not be behind the wheel of anything that moves. Seeing a 71 yr old Richard Petty spinning his tires while a moronic gas station attendant yells, "Pit row Speeds!" makes one want to gag.
And about gas station attendants...what are they? The last time I saw a gas station attendant, I was standing up in the back seat of my Mom's car, hoping we might stop at the toy store before going home. The only gas station attendant I ever see now (and that would NOT be often because I pay at the pump with a card), is someone sitting inside, behind glass, pulling cigarettes and putting Colt 45 in brown bags. They are probably ghostly pale as they NEVER go outside.
Lastly, when Petty says that all Marlboro gas contains STP additive, the Attendant responds with, "Yeah, my customers really appreciate that." Your customers appreciate that? Really? When was the last time ANYONE who worked in a gas station asked you what you liked or disliked? Here's what I would appreciate...a BREAK!
08.01.2008 - "Economic Stimulus"
Many Americans have already received, or are in the process of receiving, their economic stimulus checks. BestBuy, Circuit City, and Walmart are selling Big sceen t.v.'s and computers in huge numbers. I have but one question...WHERE IS MY CHECK?
Apparently, those in power had the infinite wisdom to believe that those who earn less, deserve more, while those who earn more, deserve nothing. Why is that? I spend a significant amount of money on taxes. I pay into the system as much as the next person. Why don't I get a check to stimulate the economy, too? Does the government feel that I might not spend the money? Perhaps they are afraid that I might actually put the money away or invest it, rather than spend it right away.
Taxes should be equitable! Incentives and "stimulus" checks should be equitable. We ALL pay into the system. Some more than others, but why are those who work hard and earn a decent living excluded? I want that big screen, too! Today, Mr. Obama proposed a $1,000 energy rebate to help consumers who are paying higher fuel/gas costs. While it sounds interesting at this moment, I am waiting for the verbage to change to, "select consumers". As if those who earn more money are somehow paying less at the pump than those who don't, those who earn well will likely be excluded from this too.
08.01.2008 - Barak Obama, Who is he?
"Women for Obama", "Barak for President", I see bumper stickers and can feel the excitement out there? Just one question...WHY? Who is Barak Obama that we should be all excited? I have spoken to some supporters and asked them straight up: CAN YOU TELL ME ONE OR TWO THINGS THAT BARAK HAS DONE WHILE IN OFFICE THAT WOULD EARN HIM YOUR SUPPORT? That's where it gets interesting. Few people can mention ONE decision, policy, or event that has earned him this honor. Rather, the discussion turns to a bashing of the current administration, or the Republican party. Doesn't make much sense to me. Personally, I don't care for either candidate but I certainly wouldn't treat one of them as if he were the potential savior of our Country. We know he is all about change...we hear that a lot. I guess I would just like to know SPECIFICALLY what he wants to change.
08.08.2008 - America's Past-time
I was never a huge baseball fan. However, recently the Tampa Bay Rays have been playing exceptionally well so I have been dragging the kids to some games. I was amazed at what seems to be behavior one could almost classify as Obsessive Compulsive. For example...most normal people might spit once a month or even less frequently. These guys can't seem to go 20 seconds without spitting. How can they spit so much? Where does this come from? It's really stupid! Sitting in the dugout...spitting! Standing at home plate...spitting. WHY?? Then there's the rest of it: Tapping their shoes with the bat...over and over. Adjusting their batting gloves after every pitch. And let's not forget the crotch adjustments...while spitting. Hard to believe they find time to squeeze some baseball in there. No wonder the games now take 4 hrs.
09.25.2008 - Crisis? I think NOT!
Over the last three weeks, we have heard about little more from our government and media than this "Crisis" that apparently has suddenly taken hold on our Country. What B.S.! Our government has been spending Billions of dollars every month on this necessary war. Billions that we don't have. Now, they want to blame this financial crisis on banks and mortgage companies? Wait a minute...didn't we just bailout the banks and mortgage companies less than 2 months ago? Where did THAT money go?
Obviously, there is some serious confusion out there. On a campaign stop last week, Senator McCain had a morning meeting in which he stated, "Our economy was fundamentally sound." Senator Obama's campaign picked up on this and by lunch, Obama was informing the crowd at his speech of McCain's words. By late afternoon OF THE SAME DAY, McCain at another stop told his followers, "The economy was in a crisis." HOW DID THIS CHANGE IN ONE DAY?
CEO's taking mega million dollar parachute packages to quit, before being fired...Huge profits being taken by major corporations...Companies filing bankruptcy to avoid paying their bills...Mortgage companies giving a home to ANYONE with a pulse, regardless of whether or not they can afford it. Total and utter B.S.
I don't know about you, but I have NO interest in bailing out ANYONE! I say, let the companies handle their mess. If my company is in trouble, nobody is going to come and bail it out. Government's job is NOT to get involved in this type of issue. They are not using their money...they are using MY money and YOUR money! Why should we just GIVE billions to bail out these entities? Are you willing to just hand out money to someone that you know mishandles it? I am not!
Personally, I am a fiscal conservative, but if there is one principal stated by Obama, to which I agree, it is that if there IS a bailout (to which I do not agree), it should be a loan...payable back to the citizens of this country that made the loan, with interest. And I don't mean payable back to people who don't work. I don't mean payable to people who prefer to sit on their porch all day. I mean payable to those who work hard to feed their familes. If it were left to me, I would ONLY offer to assist if the CEO's with the golden parachutes were required to pay their huge salaries back into their companies and THEN be terminated.
What a disgrace!
09.25.2008 - Is this really the best we can do?
The United States of America. The most powerful Country in the world. Supposedly, the most educated Country in the world. More prosperity. Land where you can follow your dreams, whatever they may be. A place where millions of people who live elsewhere, would prefer to be.
So...that said, of the roughly 300 million americans, are two people like Barak Obama and John McCain the best we can do? A Senator with 2 years of government experience who's beliefs directly conflict with the American Dream and a Senator who has made a living out of the governement working the same ole people, doing the same ole thing.
That's the BEST WE GOT? Where are the brilliant thinkers? Where are those in government who want to make this a better place. The best we could muster this election is a Socialist and a Senior Citizen. I don't get it. Wait...it just came to me...I think I DO get it. Or, I get at least part of it. Five letters: M E D I A.
Who in their right mind wants to have hundreds of journalists pouring through their garbage, phone records, personal friends, high school alumni, nursery school teachers, mail, criminal records, etc looking for DIRT? I don't!
Public Service, used to be viewed as a responsibility. One felt a certain "giving back" for serving their Country. George Washington, who had retired from the Continental Army, after a victorious Revolutionary War, did NOT want to serve his Country anymore. He wanted to retire to Mt. Vernon and be a farmer. He had to be practically begged to return. Had Washington been put through the MEDIA CIRCUS, or had their been anything of the kind, John Adams would likely have been our first president. (Adams probably would not have minded the circus as much).
The point? it's this: Government service now requires that you just came out of a convent - with your record expunged! The finest minds out there likely have no interest in being dragged through the mud and having to tell the cameras why they spanked their children in 1984. So, I guess we have to settle.
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