Jimmy Buffett. I was surprised to discover how much I was a Jimmy Buffett fan in the wake of his passing. Buffett didn’t have the reputation of a great songwriter, though he was one, and there are plenty of his tunes that I listened to multiple times over the weekend. A Jimmy Buffett-themed dinner. It … Continue reading 7 things from last week (9/4/23)
Author: T Coe
On what a music critic can do
I have a weakness for music criticism. I find myself…easily convinced. A compelling review can send me listening through an album multiple times, even when I’m certain on first listen I don’t like it. Knowing this weakness, I try to keep in mind a few things that a music critic may aim to do: Change … Continue reading On what a music critic can do
On Jimmy Buffett and “He Went to Paris”
There were many Jimmy Buffets—the obituaries and reflections I’ve read today following his death make this much clear. There was the affable beach bum, the entrepreneur, the best-selling author, the sailor—a universe of people in one person. My favorite Buffett is pre-Parrothead, before he refined the easygoing persona that he later built a billion-dollar fortune … Continue reading On Jimmy Buffett and “He Went to Paris”
On corporate values
A few months ago, I lambasted what is known as “template strategy.” This strategic gambit (it’s not really a strategy) is behind vision/mission corporate speak. Often, you see the full structure of vision, mission, and values. I decided this week that, even though I still think corporate vision and mission are more of a fun … Continue reading On corporate values
On construction everywhere and nails in tires
While waiting at the Discount Tire today to replace a tire that had gotten a mail in the sidewalk, I watched—aghast—as five people after me wandered in with the same problem. “Colorado roads!” joked the manager. “I live near an intersection with construction sites on three corners,” the customer replied. “Construction is all around me.” … Continue reading On construction everywhere and nails in tires
On an attempt to explain proposal marketing
I tried to describe proposal marketing today. Just to myself, I should clarify. And, maybe it goes without saying, I struggled quiet a bit. To explain such a foundational nugget of my job is to think back to square one…which is darn hard to do. I was reminded of an early pandemic experience, when I … Continue reading On an attempt to explain proposal marketing
On a devious door-to-door sales technique
I could tell right away that the guy was no pro. He was following a set of memorized prompts that he fumbled through and even repeated. Having caught me in a more patient mood, I listened to his messy pitch and left it at: I'll think about it. I looked up the company afterwards on … Continue reading On a devious door-to-door sales technique
7 things from last week (8/28/23)
Daycare. Daycare is the blessing and curse of the week. Blessing because trying to watch a crawling baby and get any amount of work done is a wicked, impossible thing. Good riddance! A curse because with local schools open again, the metaphor of daycare as Petri dish is darn accurate. (The whole family is sick.) … Continue reading 7 things from last week (8/28/23)
On talking to people you don’t know that well who are wearing sunglasses
Is something I don't like. The post could probably be as short as that—wouldn't that be fun?—but I feel like the emotion deserves at least a little explication. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to trot out a favorite (but overused) expression: The eyes are the window to the soul. Besides the expressivity of the … Continue reading On talking to people you don’t know that well who are wearing sunglasses
On the wrong reason to go to a company picnic
In my defense, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Driving 40 minutes through traffic with my whole family in tow to a rain-soaked picnic and then deciding to leave my wife and infant son in the car while I ran over to the tents to say a quick hi-bye—and then … Continue reading On the wrong reason to go to a company picnic
Taylor Coe 