Pre-mature end of the fairy tale run.

The BearKat boys fell in the opening round of the State basketball tournament last night. If they had won they would have faced Nazareth which also fielded the team that beat the BearKat girls last weekend for the Class A Division II title. I wonder how often that has happened, the same two schools playing for both boys and girls titles in the same year. The BearKat boys lost by seventeen. Not the way they wanted to end it but still a good season for the Kats!

From the penthouse to the outhouse!

Dominic Rhodes agreed to a contract with the Oakland Raiders. From the Super Bowl Champions to the league cellar dweller. Seven million dollars, two years. That's some pretty serious money, especially for someone who's career numbers might be suspect. No doubt Dominic can play the supporting role but is questionable in the lead role. My biggest concern is his recent trouble in Indianapolis. I was concerned the Colts might not pursue him because the Colts seem to have a higher standard of expectations on and off the field. I'm afraid the outlaw image of the Raiders could project that indiscretions are the norm and overlooked. Sure hope the Black and Silver dump Moss. Dom don't need no encouragement!

Sometimes there are more important things than money.

I suppose the Colts may be following all the other teams that have enjoyed success. Their front office is going to have to be smart to avoid the down spiral following the Championship.

I am 0 for 6. Yesterday I left the house in search of just a few items, but with one item high on my list. Six stops, six stores and no item. The best thing we have found for quick cleaning in the house is a dust mop. You can make a quick pass and have a visual impact on the tile floors in the house. I had wanted a smaller commercial version, Trc got us a larger domestic version. After the mud debacle Thursday, I told Krl that we needed two heads for the mop. When one was dirty and needed washing, the other could be put in use. I figured fifteen minutes to and from the store and four or five dollars later I'd be ready to clean again. Wrong. I found replacement heads for virtually every other kind of floor, but it appears they want to sell the complete dust mop like ours. I did find that for less money I can buy a smaller commercial mop. Sure the bright yellow and green handle and frame with the shaggy yellow mop is cute, but I think I'll settle for a drab brown wooden handle with blase white fringe mop head.

O-Cedar you made my day a pain!

I have been on the computer a lot the past few days. I have been trying to locate a piece of equipment for a customer and also trying to find some parts for my employer. At this time I have tagged or made nineteen inquiries. The customer is always looking for a sows ear to make into a silk purse. They are ultra conservative when it comes to cash outlay. Their current directors are better than past, but they have a history of "under buying" and then hoping to make it stretch. Me, I like a comfort zone. If you "over buy", it might mean longer and trouble free. Some of my tags have been in the upper North East, but I feel the better matches abound on the West coast. If money were no object, the best buy is probably located "in" state, but that would mean there was a plus or minus of fifty thousand dollars!

Thing is, this isn't what I would recommend. But that is what they have requested. I think in order to save ten thousand dollars they have lowered the bar, but added another link in the chain. It probably doesn't mean anything to them, especially if they aren't the one having to deal with the extra step. If I am working for the contractor having to do the extra step I do have a problem.

My whole-hearted recommendation is for them to extend the contractor's contract with the add-on changes and let the contractor own the equipment they feel is required. It probably doesn't help that I know the customer is working with about a two dollar twenty-five cent per ton positive margin on their freight allowance. This means they make money every time a load leaves which would total over a quarter million dollars over the last three years.

Seems to me with a money maker like that you can afford to spend some money. Isn't it funny this margin doesn't even include any product margin?

The parts search went much better, of course I get to determine the parameters for this search. I have established a pretty good contact who deals in salvage and parting equipment out. Recently, I needed one piece that the manufacturer priced at $999, I bought used for about a third and it came "to specs" and was washed and bead blasted. That included freighting it in here! Yesterday I spoke with him and he priced the needed parts at less than one third of new. Hey, EBay can't touch that!

My motto has always been "they don't pay for pretty". Second verse is, "I don't want to either!"

Reid and Holt are supposed to be coming through town this morning. If it works out we are going to meet them for breakfast. They are going to Possum Kingdom for a few days during spring break. I'm going to have to see if Krl is up to going with me.

Well, have a day!

FATHER, this is your day.