Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Appalachian Hammock

Hey, please check these guys out! Great young company moving ahead!

www.appalachianhammock.com
Original Appalachian Hammock

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Made in the USA

More and more companies are bringing their product for manufacture back to the US. Not in the droves we might hope for, but a start none the less. Every week we receive calls regarding a product someone might be looking to have sourced domestic, and while we do our best to find a solution, the reality is that sometimes it is just not possible. Why, you ask?

After decades of attrition and decline in the textile markets, the infrastructure and labor have been whittled to a fraction of what it once was. This being said, we are all desperately finding methods to train, build, and develop the infrastructure so long removed. This is a long process, wrought with difficult tasks and sometimes no solution. every effort is made to find the raw materials and equipment to build some of these great products, but too often we are forced to source overseas to find the the ingredient we need. While this is changing, slowly, we can hope that the country as a whole finds it in their heart to pay a bit more for goods made here, and develops a pride associated with an American made product. Made in the USA - it still sounds good...

Next time you have an idea for a product, think twice about the overseas solutions. You might find the value is often not in the price tag, but in the story behind your product, and what it took to get it on the shelf.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Dear President Obama...

PREFACE:
I am not happy with politics as is. I do not apologize for my disdain for campaigns, politicos, etc., and I do feel as though I need to spew some of my own soap box speak on occasion just to vent some frustration. I feel as though I am a third party voter with no party - no candidate but a hypothetical ghost haunting my travels in search of a tangible body to possess. It is unfortunate to feel this way and I suspect it will subside as time goes by - or at least until the next election...


Dear President Obama,

The last few days were a whirlwind, and I sincerely hope you have had a moment to take it all in. I congratulate you in winning the presidency once again, and hope the disillusioned voter that I have become can somehow be restored to faith in the leaders of our country by action, and not canned rhetoric, or toxic partisanship.

My letter today is a request for honesty, and sincerity, in politics, on both sides. I know, that's ridiculous, right?! My request is that we can get back to actually making a difference in the public sector, and not just the politics as usual that were so clearly represented during the campaign. I watched, as millions did, the bending of truths on both sides, the blatant disregard for the intelligence of us, the citizens, and the inability for either candidate to honestly, truly, and sincerely reach across the oft-shifting proverbial aisle that separates so many of the nation today. There were insults, ridiculous and negative campaign ads, and utterly malicious attacks thrown by both of the two bigs. When we can't show respect for the opinions of others, when we cannot logically and carefully craft solutions to real issues that take ALL interests in mind, and when we stop playing marionette to the corporate and special interests (some might call this part 'money'), there is little left to be desired in the arena with which you and Mr. Romney travel. While I honor the effort you and he made to serve in the public sector, it is not lost on me that your own, and his own, special interests somehow have a hand on the wheel, and a conveniently placed chicken brake on the passenger side floor.

I could not fathom a vote for either of the two bigs. I could not, in good conscience, deliberately vote for a lesser of two evils as is so commonly suggested. I could not sacrifice the resentment I felt for the way this campaign was once again handled by both parties, nor could I realistically believe either candidate's promises based on their histories and resumes to date. Many of your supporters, and Mr. Romney's, actively pursued my vote with campaign rhetoric and soundbite-worthy tidbits that did little to sway my opinion that there was far more persuasive influence behind the curtain than met the eye. All elections appear dirty, some more than others, but our increasingly sour campaigns of hate speech (remember when that wasn't allowed anymore?) and truth-bending take the front line yet again, stabbing their way like bayonets through the masses. Way to unite us. I don't see that moving 'forward' at all.

Now, get off your butt and get to work for the people of this country. Literally nothing has been done for weeks but campaigning. You two just spent over $1.5 billion on lawn signs and campaign ads that leave absolutely NO real legacy behind, except at the landfill. Imagine if that money was put to use lending to small business, or assisting homeless programs, or feeding those that are hungry, or our veterans in need. Now, that would have made a difference! Remember, we pay your salary, and you are only a man. You should be humble, respectful, courteous, and most of all, deliberate and balanced in the varied interests of our slice of humanity. We should not only respect the various views that folks have of HOW our country be run, but also cognitive of the fact that one man, one party, and one view only serve the few. As the numbers suggest, either one of you being elected barely represented half of the voting public. I wouldn't exactly call that impressive, or endearing.

I still have a smoldering hope and faith that one day, somehow, we will overcome the political process and the mess of lines drawn that it has become. Until then, I will remain hopeful of real change, and not that spoken of on a $.99 bumper sticker, because truly, that's about what it is worth.

Sincerely,

W. Macia

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

I Don't Think...

...either party can acknowledge they are failing us. But both say they have a great plan, whatever that is...

...Oreos with red filling are 'holiday' at all. Not sure who thought of that.

...pushing hard thought will regrow my hair.

...my dog realizes his anxiety creates some of mine.

...my wife gets enough credit for being the glue around our house.

...I appreciate all the little things sometimes.

...I need another technology piece. Ever.

...Yellowstone will erupt this week.

...Charlie Sheen will join the scientologists.

...CeeLo's bird has any idea what she's gotten herself into.

...I'll watch the election results until tomorrow...

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Hurricane Sandy and the Election

Hurricane Sandy punched the east coast square in the jaw, knocking its lights out and disabling the region for a brief geologic moment. We are all confident in the resolve of those on the east coast, and for those who are suffering, we wish you the best in recovery and quick return to life as you remember it. We are all pulling for you.

The election, covered by media far more and with greater anticipation than even hurricane Sandy, rolls through the US disabling our minds and destroying the impressions of candidates promising to represent you and deliver on promises. After election Tuesday we will all wrangle with the voting hangover and the pundits will be hard at work drawing advertisers to the networks to listen to the Monday morning QB's claim they had it pegged. One thing is for sure, those of us with resolve will accept the consequences of our candidate losing, or bask in the illusion of promise if our candidate wins. Either way, we all have to just realize that we will all fall back into normalcy after a few months, politics will continue to roll, and the next disaster or human-triggered event will occupy our lives.