I don't believe Steve Jobs

Every since I bought my first iPhone a couple of years ago, I've ended my habit of endlessly chasing the latest new mobile phones. Saved me a lot of money and more sanity. The iPhone is a great phone overall. It just works. Yes, yes, yes, I'm well aware of its reception shortcomings and penchant for dropping calls. I'm not sure how much of this is the phone and how much is the network. I choose to believe that it's mostly AT&T's lousy and overwhelmed network.

Steve Jobs announces iPhone 4g

Probably the greatest thing about Apple is its customer support DNA. It so far exceeds anything else I've experienced that I never question the higher price Apple often asks for its products. Problem with the MacBook? Set up a Genius Bar appointment and get it solved fast and easy. With no corporate IT department behind me anymore, the local Apple Store is my lifeline -- and a dandy one at that. Ditto Apple's telephone support. And most amazingly, they actually care enough to want to know how you solved a problem so they can help others with a similar problem.

So,  not long ago,  my 4-month-old iPhone 4g quit vibrating. I took it to the AT&T store and they said all the settings were correct. Next stop, the Apple Store. After examining it, they asked it they could re-image the device. Fine. This didn't solve the problem, so they said they were just giving me a new phone. Great.

Since I got the new iPhone many of my problems with the original phone have gone away. Fewer dropped calls, especially in my house, faster and even better battery life. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE. I asked the people at the Apple Store if the phone had been improved and was told no, it was identical to my original 4g. So, I stopped in at the AT&T store and there I was told that yes, Apple had made tweaks after the reception flap and that this was not the same phone I bought back in June. So, while Apple did not recall and replace my iPhone, I got the same result.

I'm convinced that Apple did make changes to the original iPhone 4g despite repeated denials by Steve Jobs. What company doesn't slip stream tweaks and changes into a product when it will make a difference during its lifecycle? I'm one of the lucky ones because I found a reason to get a new phone.

The Oregon wine harvest at Raptor Ridge

Posted via email from CFH

Oregon Pinot Noir at Raptor Ridge

Posted via email from CFH

Gating at Autzen

Posted via email from CFH

GAMEDAY!

Posted via email from CFH

Wildcat tail light decals. Sweet.

Posted via email from CFH

Sometimes we overthink things

Sometimes, you just feel like an idiot. That's happened to me more than once when trying to debug a particular computer problem over the years. The only saving grace of all this seems to be the great satisfaction derived from finally figuring out how to make it all work.

This was my curse again this week. I had thought I'd removed myself from computer support calls years ago when I decided it was just easier to come into the closed garden as some people call the Apple world of computers and devices. At some point in your life, you realize you just don't want to spend anymore time on long phone calls with tech support gurus, even the good ones.

This week, my Apple TV device arrived and I quickly took it out of the box and plugged it in only to discover that it wouldn't connect to my iTunes library -- a requirement to access your music files, photos and other media stored on your computer. Apple's online customer support is amazing and I spent hours with three different support consultants. When one went off shift, they handed me to another. They finally threw up their hands and had me take my computer and Apple TV into the local Apple store for an appointment with the Genius Bar.

In literally five minutes, the Apple blue shirt confirmed that all was working fine and that the problem probably was related to my home network. I noticed, however, as I handed him the small black hockey puck of a device that I had turned it upside down when I plugged it in. I also remember the directions saying specifically not to put anything on the top of it as it could affect its wireless functionality.

I mentioned this to the Apple employee. He turned the device upside down and it didn't seem to affect its performance. So, when I got home, I plugged it back in, this time making sure to have it turned rightside up. Bingo, suddenly all the problems were solved! So, hours of time spent moving iTunes libraries around and tweaking network settings came down to turning the device over.

I guess that's a testament to how well Apple builds products and how fare we've come form the days when new devices almost never worked as expected. So, how is the device working for me? In a word, it's amazing and beautiful. What an elegant solution and massive addition to my home entertainment setup and all in such a tiny package. It's nothing short of brilliant.

Don't even think about it, just buy it. You'll get so much more out of your music, photos, movies, TV favorites, radio, TV, sound system, Internet connection. It is a device that enhances your entire entertainment experience by plugging in one elegant, but small device and about 15 minutes of setup. I wish I had the several hours of time back, but at least I'll sleep better know what was wrong and that it's fixed.

I lost my chair again

Posted via email from CFH

Go Wildcats

Posted via email from CFH

I've got a lap cat

Posted via email from CFH

Invasion of the California Pinots

Though I've often been in denial for years, alas, I grudgingly have to admit that California makes some darned good Pinot Noirs. They are different from Oregon Pinots, but that's not necessarily bad. For years, there was the fear that California's huge capacity to produce wine and price it below Oregon's offerings would ultimately crush the Oregon industry. After all, Oregon Pinots are more expensive and are more "Burgundian." But, whenever I taste Carneros Pinots especially, I enjoy them. And Oregon wineries have more than held their own and established a solid place in the world Pinot Noir pecking order.

Firepit and outdoor tasting room at Ardiri Winery

Having visited the winery when it was owned by the late Gary Andrus (Pine Ridge, Archery Summit and Gypsy Dancer), the makeover is impressive and gives the winery a completely new, upscale personality. The wines are all new as well. Ardiri's first Oregon Pinot is in the barrel and won't be bottled until January. But, there are two Carneros pinots available as well as well as an estate grown Chardonnay-Pinot Blanc blend.

I liked both of the Carneros Pinots, especially the 2008, which has a wonderful perfume nose and compelling hints of plum and cola on the pallet. The 2009 in the barrel was similar though with more fruit and spice. Both were delightful and a pleasant change from Oregon Pintos. I found the '08s and '09s to be somewhat salty, but salty in a good way -- like sea salt chocolate. And the price is right. The '07 is $25 and the '08 $28 with great discounts for wine club members.

Time will tell, but I say welcome Californians. The Oregon pinot industry is big enough and diverse enough to welcome wines made from grapes grown in California and trucked north. It's not an easy thing to do as others (Patricia Green Cellars) have tried this in the past without commercial success. Ardiri is a serious entrant in Oregon's ever expanding vinosphere. The significant investment is impressive and joins the growing number of wineries who are realizing that it takes more than making great wine to attract customers. Viva la diversity!

Buy American? Shocking, but true

I'm kind of a car guy. Well, not really.

I like cars. I don't love cars, not like my friend Brian who's life centers on cars. Having said that, I really don't like to drive. It's just another chore. If I could teleport myself from place to place, I'd be a most happy camper.

2010 Ford Focus Sedan

But, I've owned a lot of cars. Just ask MFW if you doubt me. And, I could afford to retire today if I wasn't so insistent on trading cars so often over the years. Having said that, I would really be in deep trouble if I'd bought houses like I did cars. And, I'd probably be divorced.

My BMW got in a small fender bender (not my fault). Someone backed out of a driveway and hit my parked car on the street. Oh, well. Not much damage, just inconvenience. So, it's in the shop getting repaired this week.

My "loaner" is a 2010 Ford Focus SES. I've heard a lot about the Focus, but now I'm a believer. This is one nice car. It's got spunk, is fun to drive, has a lot of "luxury" features and best of all is quiet for a car in its price range. I'm really surprised by how quiet it is. Oh, did I mention it gets 35 mpg on the highway and 27 in the city. That's about the same as my smaller turbo Mini Cooper.

And, Holy Martha, the price. I could buy two of these for what I paid for the Bimmer. Now, to be honest, this is no BMW. It doesn't have the fit and finish and the amazing workmanship. But, it's probably good enough.

I'm seriously thinking this will be our next car and probably the one after that, too. Amazingly, this will be the first American-made car I've ever purchase. I had two Ford trucks, but no cars. I like Ford and think they're doing a good job. It has a lot of cool features which was always the reason I bought foreign. Some of the  Ford's implementations -- like Sirius radio -- are superior to the BMW and far, far cheaper. I also think the radio sounds better if you can believe it.

I may have squandered a lot of bucks on cars earlier in my life. Now I see a chance to make amends.

Pork shoulder looking awesome

Posted via email from CFH

I've had better days

Home after yesterday's disappointing trip to LA for Linfield's opener against Cal Lutheran. It was the (frustrating) story of two halves that ended in a rare non-league loss. Looks like the Cats have some lessons to learn and one was taught to them yesterday in Thousand Oaks. We usually make great adjustments in the second half, but this time, it was the Knights who made the adjustments, leaving Linfield wondering what happened. 

What happened was that Linfield just got whipped. Too many mistakes on offense and a way-too-porous defense to win this game. The offense will be fine. The defense needs work. The good news was that Willamette is probably not as good as we may have thought and therefore completely beatable. The whole season comes down to the Oct. 2 matchup with the Bearcats at Maxwell Field. Lick our wounds, regroup after a bye week and get ready for Willamette. 

On a happier note, the Ducks looked amazing albeit against a second division SEC team. I was able to watch most of the game (the best part, at least) form a bar at LAX. When we arrived, the Alabama-Penn State game was on every one of the 10 TV screens, so I asked that some of them be switched to Oregon-Tennessee. That didn't please the jerk sitting in front of me. He practically wanted to fight because they hadn't asked his permission. The customers were clearly into the Oregon game and could care less about Alabama. 

So today, it's BBQ and NFL, my two favorite three-letter acronyms. Now, hopefully NFL Redzone is also working. Had some issues with Frontier over that, but they've assured me that we've got it. The station comes up and now there is music, so I'm hopeful. Gotta run to check on the charcoal. 

Posted via email from CFH

Cal Lutheran takes lead

Breakaway run puts CLU up 40-35 with 5:42 to play

Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Cal Lutheran FG

Linfield clings to 35-34 lead with 8:17 left

Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Linfield right back

Aaron Williams 75 run to set up Linfield TD. Linfield 35-31. 13:21 4th. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Cal Lutheran takes lead

On 28 yard TD pass 2 PAT. 31-28 Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

End of 3rd

Linfield 28-23. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Boehme throws 3rd int

CLU runs all way back 39 for TD. 28-23 5.30 3rd. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

CLU threatening

CLU long run to Linfield 12. CLU FG. 28-17 7:08 3rd

Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Linfield 28-14 at half

Cats dodge bullet at end of half as CLU misses FG. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

CLU scores to cut lead to 28-14

Cats put up brave effort but CLU narrows lead with 1:51 left in half. Linfield fumbles kickoff. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Cats extend lea

Linfield mar he's 49 yds. Scores on 25 pass Boehme to Saxon. 28-7 Cats. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Linfield 21-7

Averie takes swing pass for 20 YD TD 12:01 2nd

Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Cats lead 14-7

Boehme to Saxon 19 USA. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Linfield picks at clu19

Awesome hit on return Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Boehme picked

Ze nod tipped pass int at CLU 6

Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Cats come back

March right down field, score. 7-7. Now we play defense. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Argh

Longoria takes opening kickoff, drives to CLU 1. CLU picks Boehme returns 97 to Linf 1. TD CLU. 7-0. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Let's get ready to rumble

Posted via email from CFH

CLU chapel where I said a prayer for A Big Cat Victory!

Posted via email from CFH

Cats getting ready

Posted via email from CFH

Our QB's mom

Posted via email from CFH

Busted at Cal Lutheran

Gig Harbor Cat had to pour out $50 worth of Longies as CLU campus cops bust up our tailgate. Tailgater swarming with security guys. Our answer: Screw you. I'm drinking Coke. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Cop bust up our tailgate. CLU prudes!

Posted via email from CFH

Busted at Cal Lutheran

Gig Harbor Cat had to pour out $50 worth of Longies as CLU campus cops bust up our tailgate. Tailgater swarming with security guys. Our answer: Screw you. I'm drinking Coke. Sent from iPhone

Posted via email from CFH

Tailgating at CLU

Posted via email from CFH

Tailgating at CLU

Posted via email from CFH

Gameday in TO

Took a brief tour of the "facility" for today's game. No wonder teams are in awe whine they come to the Catdome! Tailgating area is paved, but that's about the best I can say. Had dinner with DenSoc last night at Claim Jumper in TO. Fun time. Dennis is very entertaining guy. Very LA, even some Hollywood. Slept OK at Hampton Inn and just finished sumptuous breakfast. My brother is at Rocky Top for Duck-Vol game. Pouring rain right now. But game isn't for seven hours. Plan is to get to CLU about 10:30 for tailgating DenSOC has promised to buy pizzas for all. Sent from my iPad

Posted via email from CFH

Pregame meal at TO Hampton Inns. GAMEDAY!!!!!!!!

Posted via email from CFH

Dinner with DenOS

Posted via email from CFH

Boise State deserves big bowl, not BCS title game

After last night's squeaker against an unimpressive Virginia Tech team, Boise State should now run the table, win the rest of its games and go undefeated. This will set up a huge discussion at the end of the season about whether they deserve to play for the national championship.

Maybe, this is the year to just end the argument and put them in the national championship game, unfair as that may be to all the other teams who play real schedules before big crowds and under a lot more pressure than BSU will experience the rest of the way. Not only are their opponents going to be weak (don't count on Oregon State to give the Broncs much of a game), but they will play in front of an average of 26,000 people when they go on the road. This compares to other teams facing road game crowds of 70,000, 80,000, even 100,000 partisan fans.

Boise, meanwhile, will be skating through the season, pounding on weaker opponents in order to maintain its ranking. The only pressure Boise will face will be to run up the score on every opportunity and pummel as many of its unworthy opponents as possible. Warning, OSU, the Broncs will be out to run up the score on Sept. 25 as this will be their last game against a quality opponent.

So, those of us who don't believe that Boise is worthy of the National Championship Game due to its unrepresentative schedule, it's time to let it go. Even Colin Cowherd, the ESPN host who describes my sentiments pretty accurately, is resigned to the fact that BSU goes unbeaten and then we see where the chips fall.

If there are two other undefeated teams from real conferences, BSU won't get in the title game. But, the Broncs will land a BCS Bowl game. Let's just hope that this year, it's not the "Arranged Marriage Bowl" that they played in last year where they were matched with TCU, another team that plays a chump schedule. If they can beat VaTech on the road then they can play Florida in the Sugar Bowl next January. 

But, let's save the national title game for two teams who have proved themselves against more than one ranked opponent.

Tualatin River Wildlife National Refuge

Posted via email from CFH

I love my Ducks

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from CFH

Another technology milestone

There have been many since I bought my first PC (an IBM) in 1982. Or, perhaps I should date that to the Bomar digital calculator I bought from Sears a few years prior to that. They all have one common thread -- each has been completely amazingly fascinating in its own way. Yes, even the Bomar calculator with its glowing red LED numbers.

Today, I was at the Apple store and asked about the new Apple TV. This is something I've never been much interested in before. Just don't want more boxes, wires and complexity cluttering up my living room. They didn't have it in stock yet, but it got my curiosity up, so I checked out the "instant play" section of Netflix. My big discovery was that my relatively new Sony Bravia TV has this capability built in. So, I've now added Internet TV to my mix and the only gadget I needed was an inexpensive ethernet cable.

It took me all of about 10 minutes to set it up. First, I had to connect the TV to my router, an Apple Time Capsule. Then I had to register it on Netflix. Within literally seconds, my Instant Play que showed up on my TV screen. And, I was watching a PBS documentary within a few more seconds. 

I had no idea it would be this easy and that's a scary prospect for tradition suppliers of TV content. Even though we get hundreds of channels on our FIOS cable service, we are constantly looking for something interesting to watch. Netflix Instant Play may just have solved our problem. And it also may significantly diminish the number of DVDs we get from Netflix. DVDs are increasingly becoming a pain, mostly due to the poor quality of the disks. 

I can see myself paying a lot more attention to my Instant Play que than my DVD que. And you don't have to be a genius to also see where Netflix real future lies. 

Posted via email from CFH

Great dinner at Pepita's in Beaverton

Posted via email from CFH

Lunch at Oregon State Fair

Posted via email from CFH

Las Vegas' sad state of affairs

We just returned from a short stay in Las Vegas, my first visit there since 2006 and one of many visits over the past 25 years. I can't help but think this place is losing much of its charm and class. What once had a sort of earnest entrepreneurial feel, now seems a lot more like greed run amuck. We stayed on the north end of The Strip, also known as Las Vegas Boulevard, right across the street from the bankrupt Fontainebleu Hotel/Casino complex. Work stopped on it about a year ago when the developer ran out of money.

Mothballed Fontainebleau

Just down the road, past the decaying Circus Circus, the massive Echelon complex sits abandoned, it's sprawling series of buildings behind a tall fence on acres of prime Vegas real estate. A story in the local paper today said Marriott may come to the rescue if the project can ever be completed.

Farther down the strip in the midst of a collection of glass towers, the Cosmopolitan is nearing completion and work is actually moving ahead. A wide swath of financial disaster fueled by a belief that there was no end to the money that would roll into the city if only the facilities were built. This is a city that is visibly hurting and badly in need of direction and vision.

Some of the new places are nice, but in general, the tacky is winning out over the classy. The classic hotel casinos still remain, like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and Steve Wynn's twin towers. But a lot of the rest of it is decaying junk or worse, new junk. The Miracle Mile shopping center is a prime example of the latter. Hunkered up against Planet Hollywood (formerly the Aladin), the place offends most of my senses -- a load, tasteless temple to consumerism.

Vegas has grown so fast in recent years that it's lost its sense of perspective, not to mention esthetics, quality and certainly direction. The schlock is starting to win out. And it's too bad because this once was a classy city that attracted classy people. Where is the civic leadership? Where is their sense of shame?

Better ideas rock

You don't always have to be first. Sometimes, just having a better idea is enough. Here are some examples:

My son needed a new notebook computer, but he also has a growing family and is moving into a new house. So, he opted for an iPad. Today, HP admitted that iPad sales are hurting its notebook sales. Geee, do you think. I love my iPad. It's a great product and I use it as a companion to my notebook, but for many, many people, it's all they need. Apple saw an opportunity in the market and introduced a brilliant product, catching the old guard PC industry napping . . . again. Does this sound familiar? Can you say iPhone? People like that kind of initiative when it empowers them.

I recently switching from Supercuts to Great Clips. (Sorry, I'm not a salon type of guy who has $50 to spend on one of life's necessities every few weeks.) Last time I was at Supercuts, the floor was peeling up, the outlets didn't all work and the staff was listless and bored. At Great Clips, not only is the staff enthusiastic and motivated, but they actually use computers so they know your preferences and who you are. People like that. Supercuts stayed in the analog world. Great Clips is providing better customer service by using technology and won me over.

A little hole-in-the-wall restaurant in our neighborhood has carved out a great niche by cooking great food and pricing it right for eat-in, but mostly take away. It's called Hapa Grill and the food is seriously good for around $7 a meal. They keep it simple -- great food at a great price. You get tired of pizza after awhile and their Hawaiian/Asian Fusion fare is something different. People like that.

It is this kind of innovation that will lead us out of the economic dumpster. It's happened before and will happen again. Just give it a little time.

Let's go Yankees!

Posted via email from CFH

Lantana

Posted via email from CFH

Scandinavian Festival Junction City

Posted via email from CFH

Stoller Vineyard family picnic

Posted via email from CFH

Big Al's Opens in Beaverton

We attended the "soft" opening of Big Al's tonight. At $15 apiece, they raised $15K for the Beaverton Police. 

This place is a bit hard to decipher. It's part adult and part kid. It's also BIG. So let me just run through what I liked, what I didn't like and what I couldn't figure out.

• This place is primarily about bowling. There are two bowling alleys and they're both very nice. But it's not like an old time bowling alley because it's not just bowling. We didn't bowl because the lines were too long. Better to come back later and try that. 
• The building is well laid out and organized. The games (mostly for kids) are upstairs. The bowling and sports bar are downstairs. 
• The food tonight was not great and barely good. But, it was a buffet. At $15, a buffet isn't going to be good, just OK. This worried me a bit. I hope this isn't any indication of what it'll be like on a regular basis.
• The Sports Bar is fabulous and to me the highlight of the place. It's like Vegas. A big terraced room with tons of tables and booths. The whole back wall is video screens and there are nine altogether, including one big one in the middle. In addition, there's a ticker with game updates and stats running across the top. This will be a great place to watch NFL, assuming they get all the games and have sound on the feature game. 
• The mobile phone reception is awful in the place, at least for AT&T.
• There was no wifi and I would consider that a HUGE oversight and a must add. People are too hooked on their phones and want to be abel to use them even if the reception is crappy. 
• When we asked about the menu for NFL Sunday mornings, we got kind of a blank stare. Not sure they're planning on serving breakfast on Sunday morning. Another potential massive oversight. They could essentially keep people there for three meals on Sunday IF they play their cards right AND have decent food. 
• The upstairs game Arcade looks really fun, even for adults. Lots of ways to blow money. 

Overall, Big Al's is a helluva beautiful place and it should do well if they can draw decent crowds during the week and not only on weekends. It's also about a mile from our house, so you can't complain about that. We will absolutely give it the benefit of the doubt and several tries. But, a beautiful building won't be enough without excellent execution on why people will come there -- to have fun. 

Posted via email from CFH

The promise of Oregon Chardonnay

I just poured myself a glass of Stoller Vineyards 2007 SV Chardonnay. I have long been a Chardonnay fan and am particularly hopeful for the kind of Chardonnays that Oregon will someday produce. Bill Stoller has made a big bet on Chardonnay at his Dundee Hills vineyard where he has planted 60 acres.

I always liked Chardonnay, though I enjoy other white wines as well. But it wasn't until I spent some time in Europe and started drinking the Burgundian Chardonnays that I really got hooked. These crisp, minerally Puligny-Montrachets and Meursaults are in my opinion the best white wines on the planet. (And incidentally if you're looking for those French wines, do stop by Scott Paul Wines in Carlton where they important a bunch of great red and white burgundies.)

If Oregon can make competitive Pinot Noir, why not Chardonnays? To me, this is merely a function of experience and focus and I fully expect the Oregon Chardonnays to only get better and better. Stoller's 2007 is a great example, if it has a bit more oak than I would like. The finish is creamy and long. Lots of honey with some vanilla and tropical fruit highlights. And a complete bargain at $28 if you could find any. The 2008 is still available though the last time I tasted it, I preferred the 2007.

Nikon D90 or Panasonic Lumix GF-1

I'm torn between a DSLR (Nikon D90) and something kind of sleeker and cooler, like the Panasonic Lumix GF-1. I really like the looks of the latter, though it's a bit spendy for what you get. Biggest worry about the Nikon is that I'd not use it as much because it's so big and bulky. Lumix comes highly rated and people who own it love it. Considered a great street camera. What are your thoughts?

Posted via email from CFH

My new eatery

Every once in awhile, you stumble on a gem of an eatery that's so good, you just have to pinch yourself to believe it's real.

A couple of weeks ago, my son was visiting. He's a big Yelp poster and advised me that the highest rated restaurant in Beaverton was in the local shopping center 5 minutes from my house. I had heard it was good, but never tried it. The small corner shop has been a million different things over the years. Usually some kind of modified fast food . . . never something that really compelled to me to give it a try. And since all the previous places went out of business, my guess is they weren't all that good.

So, last Saturday we were in a hurry and needed a quick bite between engagements. I said let's try that place in the shopping center. It's call the Hapa Grill and the fare is fast Hawaiian. And, man is it ever good. I love to discover new kinds of food and believe me this is special. Entrees are in the $7-$10 range with lots of sides and even homemade desserts!

We were both blown away by our meals. I wrote a rave review on Yelp and am planning to go there for chow again tonight. In a way, my biggest worry is that too many others will discover it, they'll outgrow the space and have to move.

If you've not been there, you've got to give it a try.

The embarrassment of the Pac-11

Let's not mince words, Larry Scott is a moron and the Pac-11 presidents should fire him forthwith. The erstwhile Pac-16 commissioner sold the presidents a bill of goods about his ability to achieve dramatic expansion and ended up embarrassing everyone. What a MESS!

This guy was hired by the Pac-10 (before Colorado joined) with the promise that he had what it would take to achieve dramatic expansion of the conference that had become the laughing stock of college and pathetic TV income. Well, Scott got taken to the woodshed by the folks at UT, who turned the Pac-10 invite into more money for themselves and up their chances of increasing their dominance of the Big XII, which is now technically the Big X.

So, what you do now, besides fire Scott? Well, the Pac-11 must make the best of a horribly embarrassing situation. Left at the altar by the Big X, the Pac-11 is now probably forced to go after Utah from the Mountain West. That's the conference that Boise State just joined. Only good thing about that is that it kind of poops in BSU's punchbowl. No alligator tears here.

Scott is getting raked over the coals. He has royally screwed this up and now must figure out how to save face. I don't think it's possible. This one is too far gone. As he learned big-time, Don't Mess with Texas. According to reports, the Texans weren't impressed with Scott in their meetings last night. Gee, what a surprise!

Will Scott the bungler go after anyone else? Does anyone really care? He could go after BYU. Not sure Colorado State measures up or adds anything. After that, it's pretty slim pickings. Boise State is a joke. I mean, can you imagine USC going to Boise State? It ain't happening.

It's probably time to just make the best of a horrible deal. Go get Utah, lick your wounds and decide what to do about Scott after his blundering start.

Shopping . . . big and little

My two favorite places to shop and "discover" stuff are Costco and Trader Joe's.

Wow, you may say, those are two really opposite ends of the spectrum. And, that's exactly right. Costco is good for lots of things -- mostly non-perishables -- while Trader Joe's is purely focused on food and related items. It is the European grocery store that we ultimately fell in love with while living in London. Costco is amazing in its own way and that's mostly for saving money.

I used to think TJ's was expensive until my son turned me around on that. Not only are the prices very, very good, but because the items are packaged in reasonable sizes, you save money by not over buying. And the quality and differentiation of choice is outstanding.

One of my criteria for a great shopping experience is whether it's fun. Both Costco and Trader Joe's hit that mark. And, it has nothing to do with size. It has to do with being interesting and not boring and turning your shopping experience into an adventure. It also has to do with marketing and merchandising and it has to do with the people who work there. Are they interesting? Are they well informed? The other day I bought a bar of soap at TJ's and the dreadlocked clerk said he had just seen a documentary on the man who founded the company that made the soap!

Costco overcomes its size with its focus on quality and amazing customer support and guarantee policies. Costco stands behind products the way Nordstrom once did. For such a huge retailer, this is truly amazing. But, it buys customer loyalty and that's priceless.

Another thing I love about Trader Joe's is that it's not pretentious. Take the wine section. They are proud of the value they bring and often apologetic about recommending a wine that costs more than $10 a bottle. And, if you haven't checked out the recipe section of the newly revamped website, you're missing out. I suspect some turn up their nose at TJ's because "it's too small." But, as we discovered when we lived in London, you really can find everything you really need in a small store.

There are probably a lot more reasons to like both stores, these are just a few of my favorites.