Neanderpundit

In reference, were you sleeping, to the post below.

Fact is, we all have our tasks. Here’s a little secret: Take pride in yours. Do it well. Make it a labor of love. Make it yours and yours alone.

There are simple rules to customer service

1: Be prepared. have everything you need to do the job, and some more besides.
2: Arrive before you are due. Doesn’t have to be an hour, but be early.
3: Be eager to do the job. Don’t seem eager, be eager.
4: Work until you’re done. You don’t have to kill yourself, but don’t be seen sitting down.
5: Finish before the customer expects you to be finished.
6: Charge the customer a little less than he expects to pay.
7: Give the customer a little more than he expects to get.

In every job, there are simple rules like this, and following them practically guarantees success.

Maybe Kim and Connie awe people because they are the people they want to be, turned up to 11. I can kind of understand this, because I am very much the person I want to be. I’m very lucky in this, because I have the kind of job that allows me to do such a variety of things, and be productive in such a variety of ways. So to all the people who think highly of the Du Toits, let me say this: You should. But you should not sell yourself short either. Every person I have met as a result of this blog is a wonderful person in their own right. I am in awe of the things Mark Alger does- I truly am. I am amazed at the power of Mr Porretto to pound out miles and miles of deathless prose. I’m overwhelmed by the patience of people like Tammi and Teresa. Chris Byrne is the engineer I would be if I could have been anything but what I am. Dick is a man’s man, a John Carter of Mars dude, smart, fit, deadly, sleek. Velociman a wordsmith who is helping to change the language itself. And then there’s Contagion an dhis beaver sporran.

No, I have no slacker blogger friends. Each is what they are, turned up to 11. I would change not a hair on any of their heads. I respect them all equally, and hold them in outrageous esteem.

I’ve also found that it doesn’t cost me a dime to be nice. Sure, I get a lot of hits when I’m having a pissing contest with someone like Sir Fredrick, and yeah, I know people come back for that- but I’d much rather be nice. I have gone a long way in life by being able to be nice to people, and when they are nice back, (especially when it gains them nothing to be nice) it makes everything worthwhile.

Now, Card is a great writer, in my opinion, but the fact is he’s got the franchise fever.

This is a good book If you’re into the whole Ender deal. Yeah, there are sixty three of them. Yeah, there are more branches than the Anna Nicole Smith family tree. Still, Card manages to tell the story as only he can- and unlike Dune and all it’s incarnations, Card manages to keep you occupied and does interesting things with the characters.

Don’t read this, of course, if you haven’t read all other sixty three Card books. Won’t mean a thing to you. if you have, and you enjoyed them, read this too. Because then you’ll be able to understand the thirty four sequels that this branch of the book contains- I’m not exaggerating (well, not too much, there are at least six sequels that are clearly delineated in thsi book)

You can’t blame him for making a living. He does so by entertaining a lot of people. Just get another story line, Orson. THis one is becoming more and more like Dune every day.

For the second time in as many weeks I’ve had someone say “I feel intimidated by the DuToits”.

Good god.

Now, I understand, I’m not a person who is very easily intimidated. You can get me mad, but few things- outside the illness of a family member- cause me fear.

But: having spent some time breaking bread (and cheese!) with the DuToits, I can safely say- these are the decentest, nicest people you will ever met, if you ever get the pleasure to meet them. And a pleasure it is. gracious hosts (they let me show up at their home, and invite a person THEY NEVER MET to come there too) they entertain as if born to do so- without being ostentatious. Their home is comfortable and clean and reflects exactly the kind of personalities they have- complex, reasonably well organized, and chock full. And Kim and Connie are exactly the kind of people you want as friends- they would stand at your shoulder in a crisis, and if they had but two dead rats, they’d offer you one.

Intimidating? No. If you can meet them, do so. You’ll see.