AMEX & Credit Cards

I thought it was interesting to see AMEX's headline this morning about job cuts and business worries. Actually it's been interesting watching all the big banks having issues. I hear about debt default, but I don't hear much about disgruntled former clients and the effect of that on their business.

I remember back a decade ago when I was traveling using an American Express card. At some point I ended up in a cash crunch and had trouble paying the bill on time. They decided they didn't like that and instead of offering an alternative they decided they didn't want me as a customer. Had they worked with me and moved that debt to a credit solution instead of their - at the time - traditional pay it off every month card - we might still be friends. They didn't look at me, didn't look at the fact that I was a 30 year old professional moving up. They simply ended the relationship. I had never defaulted and don't ever plan to. How many others did they do that to? What business did they lose simply because they weren't polite? It seems to me that they and their credit buddies have been all about churning customers instead of developing relationships. I looked up AMEX sucks on google and ran into a site devoted to them doing worse things to others - guess I should consider myself lucky. The picture at the top takes you to that link.

Today I do most of my banking with my credit union. They take good care of me and know who I am.

Vegas

Vegas for me is different than for many people - at least it seems. I don't go there to drink and gamble or to attend a conference. I visit it like I visit any other city. I like nice hotels, good food and entertainment and Vegas is full of it.
So, I waited until I got a good deal at a hotel I wanted to stay at. I get emails from most of 'em and a good one popped up at the MGM Grand. The room was very modern - reminded me of the Hudson in Manhattan but about twice the size. The pool was great too! Earlier in the day I realized that I sent my swimsuit back in one of my bags with the bike. Doh! I had to go shopping if I wanted to swim, so I did. I finally found on a few blocks down the strip - which also gave me a chance to shop for stuff for the kids.
I suited up and went down to the pool. I'm always amazed at how big these hotels are, it took me 15 minutes just to walk to the pool! Strawberry Margarita please? I parked my shoes and towel and jumped in the "lazy river". I forgot that those drinks and me with an empty stomach are a bad thing. I felt bad for a while, but laying around in the sun in the big main pool for a while took care of that.
Later I made my way back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We met up at the Paris where the rest of the group stayed. After some hotel room antics (how many people can we fit in JD's glassed in shower? (12)) we set off to dinner. Rob led the way with a flashing bicycle light attached to his rear end to let the group of 20 know where to go. We wound our way down the strip, picking up escort cards along the way for a game of "go fish" later. We found ourselves near some young ladies in naught school girl outfits handing out fliers for a bar. Naturally I asked if I could get a picture with them (forthcoming.) Finally we made it to the Venitian for food @ 9 or Midnight EST! We had a hoot at dinner! The waiter saw the cards and asked if we had big plans for later. Mary knocked Nathan's wine glass on the floor and received much grief. Rhoda gave Amy a nice backrub that I almost felt dirty watching. Oh, the food was good too! I had a nice seared Ahi & and a salad. I retired around 11 and walked back to the 'vette. We drove back to the hotel where I slept and then regrettably had to relinquish the keys in the morning. Vegas was a nice cap to an amazing long weekend. I am so fortunate to have such a good cause, such good friends, great people that support my cause and a drive that pushes me to do it every year. Thank you.

In The Valley of Death Again

What a weekend! No really, how amazing, I can't imagine it any better.

Thursday: Uneventful plane ride with part of the group to Vegas. I rented a car so I could drive around the Valley this year and see the sights. Approach Hertz, my name's not on the #1 Gold board. They messed up and asked if I'd like the little yellow and black car for the same price. Wow, I drove a Corvette all weekend. Amazing. Once I stopped shaking I got on the road to Furnace Creek. I've never driven anything near that fast or cool before. The drive to the ranch was fantastic. I met up with Did, Katie and Nichole as I drove up - in all we had about 35 people from West Michigan there. We all put our suits on and went over to the pool for fun, drinking and syncronized swimming antics!

Friday: Orientation and then tune up ride. We went about 17 miles on Friday, the highlight being a trip up to Zabriske point. You should have seen us in our pink jerseys at the top. Then I was mobbed by Danish tourists. The first guy was an older gentleman who in great spirits rambled on in Danish as if I understood. I picked up "Diabetes", "bicycle" and "Danish" from the conversation, he had the general idea. A english speaking Dane approached and I explained it all better. There will be pictures of me on several Danish photo sites I'm sure. That afternoon I took the car out to (map) Stovepipe Wells, Devil's Cornfield and the ghost town Rhyolite. When I got back there were more pool antics and then dinner under the date palms.

Saturday: We had a good hearty breakfast and made sure the bikes were ready. The staging area was full of bike riders full of emotion of one kind or another ready to hit the road. I was a little apprehensive. Friday Ted, his sister Chris and I talked about turning at Mormon Point. Mormon Point is a metric century or 68 miles. I wanted to finish my whole ride under my own power for once, so Mormon Point sounded good. I left at the tail end of one of the groups to go out. I think I surprised a lot of the experienced riders. They saw me working hard to climb the hills (as they were passing me.) They didn't realize I'd catch and pass them on the downhill. And so it was most of the day. The hills were beautiful going down - no stop signs, little traffic, I could rev up the trike and let it fly until the momentum ran out. Perfect. We reached the first stop (Badwater) still in the shadows of the funeral mountains. It was almost too chilly. However, just around the bend from Badwater the sun was starting overcome the mountains. Badwater to Mormon point wasn't too bad. Mix of sun and shadow. I started to hear a squeeking from the area of my crank - think it's running out of lubrication - great! There were also lots of bumps on the road that the faring didn't like. We reached Mormon point in good shape. However, the sun was in full force, 98 degrees. Turning there would make a difficult but good and sucessful ride, so I turned the trike around. Ted, Chris and a rider from Wisconsin (Julie) and I headed back to Badwater. I hate this part of the ride. It follows around the mountain range and every bend dissapoints you because you think "I must be to Badwater by now!". Because of the nature of the trike I was alone for most of it. I caught some downhills and left the group behind. Even though it holds dissapointment, it's a wonderful reflective time. I was so fortunate to be given this opportunity. We finished in good shape! I actually remember going across the finish line! It was heaven. We cleaned up and then Chris and I took the 'vette out to find and take pics of the group. Great ride, great afternoon. Dinner was again under the date palms.

Sunday I packed the 'vette and headed out of Furnace Creek. I took a side trip to Dante's view on the way back. It was early and Vegas could wait. It was amazing. The view of the valley was breathtaking. Okay, I need to take a break. I'll write about Vegas later.

Gay Marriage II

. . . or possibly "Being a convenient Catholic"

While thinking about the issue some more and talking to my wife I guess I shrug my shoulders and call myself a convenient Catholic again.

There are just pieces of doctrine that either I can't believe or can't follow. There are things the Church says don't exist, and I know that they do.

Back to gay marriage. Actually, back that up even a little further, being gay. The Church says it's against the rules. The argument is often that it's a choice. However, we know that homosexuals are physically different. Our gay brothers and sisters have been telling us that for years. So now what about relationships? Church says marriage is between a man and a woman, Adam and Eve. That's all well and good, but the practical side of me, the convenient Catholic side says why not? As in my other entry, I think that the bond formed can only enhance the lives of those involved. Besides, as parents I've seen them be as good if not better than straight couples. Why would God be against that? Is it interpretation that says that gay couples can't exist?

When I see anti-gay opinions I want to reach into the bible and say "those of you who have never sinned throw the first stone". . . or whatever the official quote is. I can't throw that stone, cohabitation and birth control are the first that come to mind. Am I no different than a gay person (... in the eyes of God) since I had my vasectomy? I dunno.

Guess I'll keep going to mass as often as I can and hope for the best.

Gay Marriage

Odd subject for me isn't it? I received a note last night and feel the need to write about it. Again, out of MY head, not "what I think people want to hear".

Referring to this article and another I found:

I do have opinion on the subject since I have a few gay friends. I read the article and I’ve been to the site before. To me they seem to take what they want from exceptional situations to stir the pot to form opinions that support their agenda.

I usually defer to my friends for issues relating to gay rights. The view they take of some bills might surprise you in that they don’t always support the legislation that seems to benefit them.

When it comes to gay marriage, I’m generally in favor of a mechanism for commitment. Despite what my church says I’m a practical man, maybe you could call me a convenient Catholic. I practiced birth control, lived with my fiancée before marriage and believe that there are gay people in the world! I read an article this spring that talked about the differences between the brains of "straight" and "gay" people. It was pretty obvious that the choice argument is null.

So, from the article - someone decided to read a gay friendly book "King and King" to first graders. Sounds like poor judgment on the teacher's part, both for not notifying parents of controversial material and to be honest I think that's too young to fill them in on that. It could be included in diversity lessons at appropriate age, but I agree that first grade isn't the right time. My children haven't asked too much. My youngest (4th grade) understood that something was different the last visit, but a simple answer satisfied without getting into a large conversation about it. The other two (13 and 16) seem to have figured it out.

It sounds to me like people are pushing the envelope of what's allowed under law. Does the poor judgment of a first grade teacher mean that I should not support gay marriage? If that teacher read a book on alcoholics to the first grade class would I support prohibition? The state of Mass. is obligated to uphold discrimination law because of the non-destinction between traditional and gay marriage. So, pushing the boundary between what's allowed and not has caused this situation where the state is supporting the teacher. I don't get to dictate cirriculum at school and I'd imagine those who do weren't involved in this teacher's choice of reading material.

Back to gay marriage, again, I support a mechanism for commitment. I believe in straight marriage for many reasons and I don't think those reasons change if the people are of the same gender. I flip through reasons in my head and I don't see differences. I know 2 committed gay family units. One's done a good job of raising children that are now adults and the other have been parents for over a year now. All great, responsible, committed people. Me, I'm just a mediocre parent who probably should be committed :) Tired of writing - I'm out.