BILL'S: Gulf of Sherman Conspiracy Theory

Back in December, I posted what has become my most famous blog. The revelation of the existance of the Gulf of Sherman. And it is the Gulf of Sherman, not the Gulf of Texoma like some people have been thought. The Gulf of Texoma is north of us. That is something I have found. The place where everyone goes to think they are big shots. No the Gulf of Sherman is the elusive port to the south of our area. The area which is notorious for refueling hurricanes and departure areas for 4-story tall cruise ships. The one thing Wal-mart managers are afraid of. That is the Gulf of Sherman. I have kept my search going for this elusive body of water. And I think I have discovered one of the largest cover-ups since the Roswell crash. Yesterday, Melissa and I were headed out of Whitesboro towards Gainesville. That is where I found my largest clue....

As we rounded the corner of Highway 56, at the intersection of Highway 82, there it was!!!

By the time I got my camera and got back, the traffic had pushed most of this out of the way, but it was clear! I quickly recognized the substance covering the road.

There was no doubt! I had come across the largest clue in what had to be the biggest burial of truth since the Kennedy assassination. Yes, just like the magic bullet, what seems to be impossible had to be true! The evidence was right there in the middle of the road!

The truth is simple. They know I know! They know I have been looking, asking questions! They knew I was getting close! So, in order to not have to admit defeat, Texoma joined forces with Wal-Mart! While I was working this last weekend, I noticed many Wal-Mart associates and managers running around in plain clothes, undercover.... They thought I would fall for the whole "Oh, we are doing an Earth Day Project." Like I would fall for the whole, "Yes, these four dying trees we are going to plant will save the world!" speel they delivered. Come on! The polar ice caps are melting! For the first time in history, there is a cruise line that is going from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean without going through the Panama Canal. They are going through the what used to be the ice cap at the North Pole. There is no way in hell four trees will save the world!!!! I am not falling for it. No, the truth is out and I know it! All these Wal-mart people were not saving the environment! They were moving the Gulf of Sherman! That is the truth. It is more believable than thinking Wal-mart is really trying to do something good, or that four trees that couldn't even sell on clearance prices will really do anything to save the environment. No, what is can be believed more is that Wal-mart and the officials in Texoma picked up and moved the Gulf of Sherman to hide it again, and during it's moving, some of it fell off the truck, just outside of Whitesboro. Smooth thinking, but I haven't given up. If nothing else, this has reignited the fires within me, and the search is back on. Yes, oh yes, I will find this exclusive place, or I will move away without even trying!

BILL'S: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

A guy walks into a biker meeting and calls everyone "wusses" and then goes on to ask them for money.

As much as this sounds like a line from a joke, it isn't. This is the attitude of Texoma. A worker from Wal-Mart went into the local Harley-Davidson shop where they were having their monthly Harley Owners Group (HOG) meeting. Being that the meeting was being held right after work, and most people in the group lived several miles away, they went straight there from their workplaces. When the worker saw most of the people drove their cars to their meeting instead of going home, changing clothes, and coming back to Sherman on their motorcycles in a time of over $3.00 gas, he called everyone in the meeting "wusses" for not driving their motorcycles. The reason he was there? He was arranging a charity event for Children's Miracle Network. The charity event, called a "poker run", is something real popular with motorcyclist and boaters. So, it was only natural to include the local motorcycle groups. It is just the beginning which was more to be desired. Now with the Wal-Mart "Poker Run" coming quickly, the HOG group has posted another event on the same day. Not trying to downgrade the charity, but to show people that there is better ways to ask for donations.

This attitude is only a scratch on the surface in the area. One of the hardest things to find in this area is a smile. I remember one of the local McDonald's had an item on the menu: "Smiles Are Free." Never once did I receive one of those free smiles. And when someone asked for one, all you would get is a sarcastic grin. Just yesterday, Lissa and I went to Cold Stone Creamery. As we exited the door, a lady came over and stood their waiting for us to get in the car. She stood their with a huge scowl on her face, never once lightening up.

As a Wal-Mart employee, I get yelled at and demanded all the time. One of the most impressive moments I have had was when this young boy came up to me and said, "Pardon me, sir, could I get a game?" I was bowled over. I couldn't believe I was hearing this from a young person from this area. As I went up to the kid's parents, I engaged in my usually chat trying to answer questions and make sure everyone was getting everything they asked for. I couldn't get over the family's accent, and asked where they were from. Visitors from Canada. Yes, I should have known. Asking for politeness in this area is asking too much.

It brings to mind one of the best examples a person can make. One night there was a line at the Kodak Picture Makers. These machines are clearly labeled for their times of operation. The workers in the One Hour Photo were on a timeline to get the lab closed down, the outside machines down, everything cleaned, and off the clock before their scheduled time to leave. To help, I got at the end of the line, and as people finished, I would turn off the Kodak machine. I was down to the last machine, it was 20 minutes past the time for the machines to be shut off, and the couple working on it had just finished. Right then, a group of ladies came around the corner and started yelling, "Don't turn it off!" They came up and demanded that I get out of the way so they could make a couple of pictures. I told them that it was too late, and we had to shut down the machines. I made reference to the posted times. They began cussing me out. Yelling at me. "How long will it take just to make a couple of pictures?" They asked. I am sorry, I have a job to do. Wal-Mart employees can be terminated for going over their designated times. To me it comes down to what is more important, these strangers who are yelling cuss words at me to make a couple of pictures or being able to feed my family. I am sorry, my job is more important, and I stand my ground. So, they yell one more time at me, "I need this for my f*cking Sunday School class in the morning, how in the hell are you helping my f*cking church?" That made up my mind, and I flipped the switch. This person cussing me out is a Sunday School teacher. Now I am glad my family doesn't go to any of the local churches.

In our travels to Houston, it is like traveling to another country. I have often made a unique connection. While traveling down I-45, halfway between Sherman and Houston you cross a place called Bliss Creek. To the south of this creek, slowly, the grass gets greener, the trees get taller, and after a time, more tropical. It is like climbing the Stairway to Heaven. To the north of Bliss Creek, grass starts dying, turning brown, trees have almost disappeared. Landscape goes to industrial, with huge plots of land with only storage units. The attitude changes. From Bliss Creek north, rudeness takes over as you travel further and further. Truly the Highway to Hell.... Texoma Hell.

In my experience, in Houston, everyone is so polite, I almost don't know how to handle it. Just checking into a motel, I get maps, coupons, advice. Going to a local vender, I tell them we are getting ready to move into the area and I get all kinds of welcomes and advice of where to look for homes. Everyone welcomes you so open armed. Even in moments of stupidity: As I was driving from Clear Lake to Galveston, a couple in a car nearby started switching lanes without looking. They came very close to hitting us. I had to swerve quickly to avoid them. I honked my horn as I swerved. Everyone in the car looked at us and apologized profusely. At that point in time, I let it go, they were genuinely sorry.

Same events for Texoma. A lady driving a small white car almost runs me off the road. As I brake hard to avoid her, I honk my horn. I get a long line of obscene gestures from the lady driver. And it doesn't just stop here. For the next three miles, she attacks us with violent car movements and gestures. When she comes to her turnoff, she speeds up, rolls down her windown, and then slows down to let me catch up as she yells something out the window as I pass by.

Where do you want to live? A place where everyone is rude and hateful, or a place that is very welcoming? A place with community pride, or a place that could care less? Community Pride is something missing around here. And as an update to my blog about the guy who illegally dumped, to date, no one has investigated, no one has cared. I have even expanded my complaints to KTEN news, Info Magazine and Texoma Living Magazine. No one has cared. Great examples of community pride for this area. Someone does something wrong and let's look the other way.

But I know what you are going to say. There is too much crime in Houston! Although there was a carjacking in the Sherman Wal-Mart parking lot yesterday. They have hurricanes in Houston! A big, slow moving storm that gives you days of notice before striking. Nothing like the freak storm which hit this area last week, dropping tornadoes, flash floods, and winds which damaged millions of dollars of property. My only notice was waking up to the house shaking, and the warning of a tornado three miles away from my house.

Maybe it is just one man's thought of the area? Well, I looked around. I am including some more examples that aren't from me or my family. You don't have to believe me. But I guess asking people to open their eyes and decide for yourself is asking too much as well.

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Yolanda Adams, Entertainer, Grammy winner

Growing up in Houston was exciting and fun for me and my family. We had so many places to go and so much to do.

When I get home off the road, I usually run to Whole Foods to stock up on groceries and then I head home to relax and unwind. Of course, spa treatments are always in order. The Root of You and Persona Day Spa are my favorites because they offer a variety of services.

There are many words that describe Houston, but all encompassing would be the most adequate. There are great museums—our cultural arts centers are bar none. Our sports arenas are awesome, and we love great restaurants. Whether single or family oriented, we have appropriate activities for all.

I have so many fond memories of Houston events. One of my favorites has to be the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall. The event is always festive and alive!

Favorite places to eat?

• Italian - Michelangelo's
• New Orleans Style - Bistro Calais
• Steakhouse - Ruth's Chris
• American - Tony's
• Seafood - Pesce
• Pizza - Collina's
• Fast & Best Salads - Ruggles Bakery & Cafe
  

Houston has the best people, restaurants and entertainment around. Trust me, I've been everywhere and still would live in no other city but Houston. I Love You, Houston!

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Leven Rambin, Actress, All My Children

I have absolutely great memories of growing up in Houston. I lived in Memorial and felt such a sense of community through my friends and neighborhood, St. Francis Episcopal Day School and all my teachers (like 2nd parents!) and pastor, Jim Jackson at Chapelwood Methodist Church.

When I come home to Houston, I always visit The Galleria, Houston Country Club, Ruggles and La Madeleine for that tomato soup and caeser salad! I go around Memorial Park at least once every day when I am home.

When describing Houston to friends in New York, I tell them about the ample amount of space. I like those big back yards especially now since I don't have one. I tell them about Goode Company and Otto's BBQ, big cars, bayous and some hot weather.

My favorite time to come back is Christmas time.

I love the Verizon Wireless Theater. If there is someone there that I want to see perform, I like that venue, just the right size. Also, I know that Houston had its first Fashion Week. I definitely want to come back for that next year!

My favorite Houston memories....Being a kid, involved in sports, having good friends my age, my school and having a teacher pull my first tooth (not a great time when it happend but a great memory now). Oh, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo...those rides!

I love to shop at Out of the Box on Woodway. In fact I was in there when I got the call that I was chosen for the part on All My Children - I went crying right to Billie Sue. After shopping I go right next door to Smoothie Island. I like Escalante's Mexican food. Encore on San Felipe has tons of very gently worn designer clothes at great prices, so I go there, too.

The people in Houston are friendly, warm and charitable. I get homesick sometimes and realize what a special place it was to grow up there. Houston is a family friendly place.

Houston and New York are similiar in that both are big cities, have lots to offer anyone and I find both to be friendly and welcoming. Houston and NYC both have incredible restaurants! Did I mention that Houston has lots of room and big back yards? I got nada in NYC! Taxis, subways and walking are the main forms transportation in NYC. Both are wonderful experiences.

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Beyonce Knowles, Entertainer

Growing up in Houston was fun. We always had a huge backyard to play in. My mom allowed my friends to come over all the time; it was like a continuous slumber party at our house. I spent my summers going to AstroWorld, SplashTown, Ms. Darlett's dance class & showcases. I had a great childhood in Houston!

When I come home to Houston, I go straight to my mom’s house to eat some home cooked food. I love to go to my church St. John's on West Gray and go up to my management company Music World Entertainment.

When I describe Houston to friends who have never been here, I first have to tell them, no, it's not like the country films you see on TV! I like to describe Houston as a great place to raise a family.

You get nice southern people with a city atmosphere. You can buy a great home in a price range to fit your income. The great thing is, whether you or your children are into arts, sports, music, business, etc., there is a place for you to grow into and learn all of those things right here in Houston.

I always come back during Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Houston Rodeo. Also, now that I have a nephew, I come back home for all of his birthdays.

I would have to say some of my favorite memories of Houston are performing at my mother’s hair salon and the music showcases we entered trying to get discovered. I can recall how hard my mother and father worked scheduling rehearsals, designing costumes and booking shows. Houston is where my stage presence and confidence was developed.

My favorite places to eat are Frenchy's Chicken, This Is It and Pappadeaux. I shop at The Galleria.

I love Houston. Some of the best moments of my life took place there. This will always be home to me!

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Haylie Duff, Entertainer

Houston is a place where the people are real. Growing up, there was a real sense of family, and the neighborhood had a cool feeling of cohesiveness. When I come home, I always visit The Galleria. I love to shop at Tootsies. I love the spring, with the bluebonnets along the highways, and the weather is awesome. I never want to miss the Houston Rodeo.I love the food and the people. I think that Houston is a special American city, and everyone should come for a visit.

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Hilary Duff, Entertainer

Growing up in Houston was amazing! I love the bluebonnets along the highway. I remember the rainstorms and thunderstorms. I loved spending my summers in the swimming pools. To this day, I think that Houston has the best food anywhere in the world!

I tell people who have never been to Houston that it is a great city to visit for a day to shop and eat and meet nice people. Houston is a special city which attracts tourists from all over the world.

I always like to go to Neiman's for lunch and shopping. I love the monkey bread and the strawberry butter. The salads are wonderful, too. I also go to my Aunt Roz's house to see my niece, Haylie.

My favorite time is in the fall because the leaves fall off of the trees, and the weather is cool and breezy. I love to go to the Houston Rodeo. It is a time to celebrate being a true American and enjoying life with family and friends. The Houston Rodeo has been a longtime tradition for my family over many decades.

One of my favorite Houston memories would be when I visited the Butterfly Museum [at the Houston Museum of Natural Science]. I remember the butterflies would come right up and land on your shoulders. I also liked to go to the Children’s Museum. They had cool interactive areas, and we had Haylie’s 6th birthday party there. We had everyone dress up like the '50s - we had a wonderful time.

I LOVE to eat at James Coney Island and eat chili dogs and frito pies. I love Shipley's donuts—they have Kolaches, and they are to die for! I love Mexican food at Escalante's. I like to shop at the Galleria, particularly Neiman's and the David Yurman store.

I will always love Houston. It is a great place to live and raise a family.

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George Foreman, Boxer, Olympic Gold Medalist, Entertainer

Houston's home. Just like a homing pigeon, no matter how far I go, nature always pulls me back.

The city's best kept secret is that it's the home of great food. My favorite places to eat are Pappadeaux, Ruth's Chris and, of course, Vic & Anthony's.

Houston is a BIG city, and because it's so big, the opportunities are unlimited. There's something for everyone. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from.

If I had one wish for Houston, I hope it never changes.

Click here to watch One Day in Houston, a 12-minute documentary on Houston, narrated by George Foreman.

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A.J. Foyt, Auto Racing Legend

Houston is where I was born and raised. It’s where my kids were born and raised—it’s home. I have traveled all over the country—to Europe, Australia and Asia—but I love coming home to Houston. It’s where I belong—it’s where my heart is.

It’s a clean city; there’s a lot to do whether it’s going to an Astros or Texans game or the Houston Rodeo, which is one of the biggest in the country.

Houston has concerts and shows and a lot of great restaurants. My favorite restaurants are Taste of Texas for steaks, Carrabba’s for Italian food and Molina’s for Mexican food.

I don’t shop that much but my wife does. You can find whatever you want at The Galleria and Town & Country Village.

My most memorable experience in Houston would have to be driving a copy of the GT car that I won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with. In the early 70’s, I drove it over 200 mph on the 610 freeway. There weren’t nearly as many cars on the road back then.

Terror Strikes New Orleans Again!

The Top April Fool’s Jokes

The Top April Fool’s Jokes

* Fill the sugar bowl with salt...
Yummy...sure makes those wheaties/coffee taste good ! Not very
original, but highly effective! You can also use baking soda, will make hot coffee foam and bubble up!

* Switch the "MEN" and "WOMEN" signs on a pair of public
bathrooms while they’re occupied.

* Take tape the color of someone’s kitchen sprayer and tape the
trigger and aim it toward the front of the sink, where a person normally stands. The next person using the water will get soaked!

* Put some magnetic strips from those anti-theft devices in your
victim’s coat pocket before they leave a store.

* Put cherry Kool-aid mix in the shower head. What a surprise
first thing in the morning!

* For men - Take about 10 large safety pins; when your wife is
sound asleep attach her nightgown to the sheets with the safety pins. Lay back and wait for her to "turn over" .

* For women - Hide the the remote control. Watch your husband go nuts trying to find it. Or just take out the batteries. He will sit there for a long time trying to figure out what’s wrong with it.

* At the workplace- Grab a bottle of lotion that everybody uses and empty it out, then put in some of that cheap instant tanning lotion. Then in a few hours, people will walking around with orange hands, arms and maybe even faces.

* Submit your friend’s name to the newspaper’s obituary column.

* Discreetly take your friend’s car keys (you will have to sneak them back) and move their car down the block in the middle of the night or during lunch hour.

* Superglue a couple quarters to the ground on a busy sidewalk or
parking lot. Watch as people continue to try and pick them up.

* Butter all the doorknobs and toilet seats! Then stand back and
watch the fun!

LISSA’S: Men Get Older Too!

Richard Gere





Roger Moore





Arnold Schwarzenegger





Pierce Brosnan





Clint Eastwood





Rod Stewart

LISSA’S: My one and only "both sides" blog on Wal-Mart

Why do many hate Wal-Mart?

The second nature to many Americans in this day and age -- hating Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Like many divisive issues these days (think Democratic candidates), many Americans either love or hate Wal-Mart. There seems to be little to no middle ground.

Who is to blame for all the hatred towards Wal-Mart? The retailer itself? How about the customers who keep it at the top? These are questions that constantly see emotion overtaking logic when the questions arise. Let’s take a look at them a little more closely today.

Why Wal-Mart exists

Wal-Mart, like many retailers, started small and over the course of many decades grew and grew to become the world’s largest retailer -- mostly on the back of its operations in the U.S. By offering "everyday low prices" to consumers, it was able to build a following that eventually pushed it further in sales than any of its competitors.

As most of the world knows by now, Americans love bargains (or the perception of bargains). We like our cell phones to be "free" (along with that hefty two-year contract), we like our food to be cheap (hence, double coupons and tasty but nutritionally worthless processed foods), and we certainly like our gas free. In the case of gas, there’s not much we can do to make it cheaper.

When it comes to retail goods, though, we can make things cheaper -- using competitive advantage to our advantage. Wal-Mart recognized this and I’ll posit that it invented the supercheap mentality by using the "big box, low overhead" type of store and merchandising format while actually lowering prices to almost always beat the competition. In smaller markets with many smaller stores (the ubiquitous "mom and pop" contingent), Wal-Mart has been accused of putting many of these locations out of business. Hence, we have the central question: just whose fault is that?

Getting the customer addicted to low prices

In the 1980s, there were many discount retailers to be found: TG&Y, Venture, Target, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. Which one survived? We now know -- and it was because of Sam Walton’s unwavering pledge to give the American consumer the best (lowest) price on anything carried on its shelves. That may sound like some marketing spin from Wal-Mart, but in researching this thought, many people believe it’s true. Fast forward to the early 1990s -- Walton passes away and his children take control of the retailer. All of a sudden, pricing becomes even more prevalent than ever and the push to enter new markets -- and completely conquer them -- becomes paramount.

Wal-Mart begins making more business deals in China and in low-cost producing nations and is able to kill just about every large national discount retailer -- except Target Corp. All of the previously mentioned competitors fizzle out, and even K-Mart is folded into Sears Roebuck to form a combined company called Sears Holdings, which really isn’t doing a thing, retailwise, since its merger.

Once the year 2000 gets here, Wal-Mart’s ruthless attitude has already planted the seeds in many American minds -- many of whom cannot stand the retailer now. It gains a reputation of killing small business, drying up the smaller downtown shops of small-town America and recruiting as many customers as possible with "everyday low prices" and huge, big-box store locations. Want even more savings? Wal-Mart begins pushing Sam’s Club wholesale stores to small businesses and heavy bargain-seeking customers who would like to buy in bulk to save even more. Think pricing has everything to do with retail merchandising? It does. At least, for the vast majority of those who shop in America.

And, the hatred grows

Here we are in 2008, and the hate that fills the minds of many Wal-Mart watchers continues to grow. Take Charles Smith’s case -- he’s a 50-year-old computer store owner in Georgia. He also hates Wal-Mart with a passion, and runs two websites to prove it: Wal-Quaeda and Walocaust. It’s no secret what Smith is comparing Wal-Mart to in the names of those two websites. But, why would someone compare the world’s largest retailer to a terrorist organization as well as Adolf Hitler’s regime?

It comes down to the thinking that Wal-Mart’s unstoppable fixation on pricing and store growth make it the largest target. Like Microsoft Corp., Wal-Mart is the biggest kid in the sandbox and subsequently draws more arrows in its back than anyone. But, who made it that way? In a country that was built on personal freedoms and personal responsibility, Wal-Mart has become the social retailer. That is, is supplies a certain market demographic who otherwise would find it difficult to survive due to "normal" retailer prices. This is the picture: a family of five who live on a combined annual income of $35,000 per year. Take the situation and duplicate it by the millions. Have a nearby retailer who offers anything and everything, all at bargain basement prices. And we wonder how Wal-Mart became as large as it has.

Following its growth, the animosity towards the retailer has grown right along with it. Charles Smith goes on to day on his Walocaust website that "I worry that by even implying that anything could compare to the horror of the Holocaust, the worst tragedy in history, I cheapen the term." But Smith saw a report "on the TV about how many goods Wal-Mart was importing from China and how many jobs this cost America." This is true and is baked up by fact after fact. Hence, the basis for hatred has grown by those in America who have seen manufacturers in this country become extinct as Wal-Mart constantly moves business overseas. Although we live in a global village, there are many who believe protecting America at all costs is the answer. It’s standard national protectionism instead of progressive global thinking. After all, many of us have those large mortgage payments, right?

But, this is a free country, with everyone free to make their own decisions. Customers choose to shop at Wal-Mart to save a wad of cash. Wal-Mart, in turn, is reacting to demand with supply. It’s standard economics, and by that account Wal-Mart is a champion. Instead of paying a 100% markup at a mom-and-pop store, Wal-Mart supplies the same product for a 22% markup. As a result, customers flock to Wal-Mart and not the smaller store. Result: the smaller stores become extinct due to lack in innovation in competitive practice. Whose fault is that? Can you blame the bargain-seeking consumer? If that logic holds, then every Wal-Mart hater actually hates the "price is everything" American consumer -- not Wal-Mart itself. Right or wrong? Tell me what you think below in comments.

source: Blogging Stocks

LISSA’S: Higher-paying firms get better employees.

CHICO -- University of Denver business school instructor James O’Toole has a message for employers: Pay the lowest and you can expect the lowest performance.

O’Toole, who holds a doctorate, is convinced after his research and reviewing other studies that employers who say they must reduce costs by paying workers less are making a mistake.

The professor and author believes employers can’t afford to pay employees less, pointing out that they get what they pay for.

And while they may be saving money in labor costs, he believes other costs, including absenteeism and pilfering, are higher and erase any savings.

By paying low wages, companies attract a kind of work force he describes as being lower in ethics, loyalty, knowledge and performance levels.

O’Toole, whose appearance at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was underwritten by the Northern Rural Training Employment Consortium and sponsored by the Center for Economic Development at Chico State University, has written the book "The New American Workplace: How American Workers can Successfully Compete in World Markets."

O’Toole believes employers who try to cut their costs by outsourcing jobs are also in error.

"Customers get angry if they’re talking to someone in India and can’t understand what they’re saying."

O’Toole criticized Wal-Mart for its management decisions to cut costs, but complimented Costco in many of the same areas.

While he did acknowledge that Wal-Mart has changed its policy about certain

areas, that doesn’t qualify the retailer as a "high-involvement" company, which he considers the best model for both company success and worker satisfaction.

O’Toole categorizes as "high involvement" companies Harley Davidson, Southwest Airlines, SRC and UPS. These firms — which he says pay better — are able to mobilize a work force that is "educated and engaged."

Employers who pay more are able to attract a work force that is more dedicated to customers and creating solutions, has low turnover, higher productivity, and is engaged in assuring the company’s future.

O’Toole criticized business schools and unions for not doing their part as well. Business schools, he said, are not teaching the principles that create high-involvement companies. Unions, he said, are not being effective.

While he suggested that employees could try to convince managers and owners that high-involvement is an improvement, he said, "Bosses don’t listen that well."

However, managers and bosses may be more inclined to listen to their peers at successful companies.

source: Chico Enterprise Reord