Snow Filled and Bumpy

Winter is “officially” over according the calendar but I am pretty sure we still have a few more storms left… after all 2007-08 brought us the 6^th worst winter… EVER…. Now combine that with a slowing economy and you have many people wringing their hands hoping for dry springs, and a boost of the economy… unfortunately… its not looking like that will happen. Gas prices keep going up (yep but let’s sue the primary manufacturers… where’s the ambulance chasers on the gas issue?) and most of the economic indicators are still not comforting. Worst is yet to come? The AIA Billings Index came in with its worst total since October of 2001…. And we all remember how depressing it was then. Guess we need to strap in, cause its going to be a bumpy ride.

Elsewhere….

-- The CRL-Somaca deal is done… now you wonder if the CRL people will go take a class in marketing 101. The way they handled the whole thing- including this bizarre statement (right here for your comic relief) still stuns me. I know they were probably mad that the deal was blown up, the day before it was announced, but c’mon guys.. get a grip.

-- Saw that Keystone Certifications is expanding their business… they announced a new Insulated Glass certification program. Yep, what a shock that is eh? Let’s see they worked with/for IGMA then broke off on their own. And they did it at virtually the same time NFRC began talk of having a need for IG cert…hmmmmm… and then you know all of the connections between the two… and yet no one ever sees anything wrong with this stuff? So it’s just a matter of time before the folks at NFRC try and minimize the incredible efforts of a legitimate group like IGMA so they can further the agenda of one of their own. And by the way, always remember that an NFRC board member must put the NFRC’s needs ahead of their own… so that works REALLY well when those needs intersect nicely. And by the way, why does this matter? Because the more NFRC controls without true independence (and choice- since NFRC loves the monopoly!) the more we all will pay… and yet no ambulance chasers are willing to take this one on…. I guess they have to wait for another suit to copycat after.

-- I wonder- anything new with the good ole Des Moines Library? Other than bringing the term “heat soak” back into vogue of course?

From the Links this week…

-- Yes even our passports are getting “outsourced” and this is a very disturbing article about it…

-- A 16 year old dies in Florida after breast augmentation surgery. The story is here.. the question is WHY? How in the world can it even get to the point where teenagers are having un-needed surgeries like that?

-- Would you pay money for the dirt from the Yankee Stadium infield? Evidently people actually will.... again.. I am in the wrong business.... I just hope they get that dirt certified by a group like the NFRC... (immediately the folks at Keystone are looking at this) seriously its an interesting article because I never understood the whole souvenir angle...

Last, I am thrilled that Duke is now done- yes I know I picked them, but again method to madness was simple- they go out I am happy… they win it all… I am happy. So now with the Sweet 16 left…. Did UCLA dodge the bullet and now they’ll run the table? Kansas looks good too… plus you have to like Texas playing in their home state the rest of the way…. But all that said- I am going with North Carolina… and that yell you just heard was from USGlass’ own Ellen Giard Rogers because the Tar Heels are her team and I just pretty much jinxed em… sorry E…