Happy Sunday!  Today is February 23 and there are only 56 days until Easter, but don’t worry, the cards and candy are already on the shelves (both should be stale in time for the holiday).  It is the birthday of George Frideric Handel, Peter Fonda and John Norum.  On this day in 1455 Johannes Gutenberg printed the first book, the Bible, in 1813 the first US raw cotton-to-cloth mill was founded in Waltham, MA and in 1940 Walt Disney’s animated movie “Pinocchio” was released. It is National Day in Brunei, Iwo Jima Day in the US and Brotherhood Day worldwide.

Last weekend, the lovely Elaine and I were able to get away to one of our favorite places – Rehoboth Beach, DE.  We like going there and take advantage of the opportunity whenever we get the chance.  The ride down was good, for the most part.  It got a little dicey on the turnpike when a truck decided that he wanted to be where my car was.  He apparently felt that, due to his size, he could just pull into my lane.  There were several problems with that.  One was that I was there, another was that there were cars in the lane next to me and I had nowhere to go and finally, he was apparently deaf because he did not hear the long blasts of my horn. 

 

He came over, I was able to slow down enough to change lanes and disaster was narrowly averted.  The bigger problem arose when my wife decided to curse him out for his dangerous driving, with the window closed fortunately.  She became even more incensed when, recognizing that she was angry, he flipped her off.  That was easy for him.  He didn’t have to ride the next few miles listening to her vent her anger at him, at me for allowing the whole thing to happen (I guess she thought I was driving the truck, too) and the state police for not being there to stop him and issue a ticket.

Other than that, it was a great trip.  The weather was great, although it was extremely windy and cold on the beach.  We did some shopping, ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant, found a great Italian place and enjoyed the renovations done at the place we always stay in.  It rained the last day we were there but it was over by the time we got up and had breakfast.  All in all, I would recommend Rehoboth Beach to you as a great place to visit, regardless of what my cousin Art says about it.

Last week I used the phrase “to die for” and said that I would address that and other phrases another time.  I have to say that I am tired of that phrase.  Everything has become so good that it is to die for – dinners, desserts, drinks, clothing and so on.  What is it about us that we hear a phrase and then use it to death.  Another phrase that has become tiresome is when we describe something as being “spot on.”  What does that really mean?  “His use of garlic in that savory ice cream was spot on.”  “That editorial about the governor and his tactics was spot on.”  “I think the use of ruffles on that camo bikini was spot on.”  “Oh look,” said Jane, “I see Spot on the couch.”  If you think someone did something that was really good, why not just say so?  “I think the use of fresh tomato on that pizza was a great choice.”  Same number of syllables, just as easy to say and it actually means something.

Some time ago I took a job managing three inbound sales teams in a large call center.  One of the first things I did when I took over was to bring together my three team leaders to give them an idea of my managing style.  The one thing I stressed more than anything was that I did not want to hear the phrase “on the same page” used.  If we agreed on something then say so.  If we disagreed, we did not say we were on different pages, so let’s drop that phrase from our lexicology.

A phrase I hear used often is “that is in my wheelhouse.”  When I first heard it I assumed it had something to do with a person’s area of expertise or a particular skill.  I wondered where it came from and looked it up.  It apparently originated in the 1950’s in baseball.  Wheelhouse described a pitch that came across the plate in a spot where a batter could make solid contact.  The interesting part of this is that no one really seems to know why it was called a wheelhouse.  Nowadays it has left the baseball field and become the term for everything.  It is generally used by people who try to build themselves up.  What sounds more impressive – yes I can do that or yes that is in my wheelhouse?  For sure “in my wheelhouse” sounds more pompous.

I think the time has come for us to get back to basics.  Call things what they are.  If the chocolate mousse was delicious and you want to rub it on your body, say so.  Saying it is to die for makes me think you are allergic to chocolate.  If you think that the use of coffee in brownies really enhances the flavor, say so.  Spot on makes me think I splattered the batter on my shirt.  If you know how to do something, say so.  Saying it is in your wheelhouse makes me think you are a tugboat captain.  I hope we are all on the same page with this.

Our fact this week tells us that the wingspan of a Boeing 747 is longer than the Wright brothers’ first flight.  I read somewhere that they did not even serve snacks on that flight because it was so short.

That’s it for this week.  Be sure to wish all your Bruneian friends a Happy National Day.