Chuck says

"When Hollywood jumps on a candidate, I know it's time to bail."

Always good to get the working man's view, someone who doesn't read text for a living.

A swamped Panera's

Panera's on Bethel in Columbus and at 5 points in Upper Arlington were life lines for Arlington and Columbus the last 2 days--and it may run longer. At 5-points yesterday they had people banging on the doors at 5 a.m. (opens at 6 a.m.), and they were swamped all day and pretty much cleaned out. Their Cincinnati supplier was also out, so products have been coming in from Detroit.

I sat in my regular spot today by the fireplace and watched the line snaking out into the parking lot with all hands on deck, remaining cheerful and helpful. What a good crew, Panera! Thank you!

Our area of Columbus got about 75 mph winds Sunday evening, the result of Hurricane Ike meeting a cold front from Canada. Schools, libraries, businesses and some city services are closed. One parent told me Arlington schools wouldn't open until Thursday. There's a tree across the street that is being held up by the power lines--I hope someone gets back from Texas soon and rescues it.

Employee training

At Panera's there is a new desk with a computer next to the coffee and cream bar. It's for employee training, not the customers. They log-in, put on their head phones, and learn about all the latest products and procedures. I'm sure it's a way to have all employees, particularly new ones, cover the same ground, but it also helps the long term employees catch up. We had something like this in the OSUL, but it was so primitive (in late 90s) I don't think my staff ever used it.

However, sitting at a computer is not too useful for senators, presidents or representatives. In fact, government staff in general have gotten themselves in deep doo-doo sending e-mails, which causes our tax money to be used to hire battalions of lawyers on both sides to figure out what was purged, what was meant, and who sent it. I'm thrilled John McCain doesn't send e-mail and not impressed at all that Barack Obama sent a text message to his Gen-Next supporters to announce he's added an older senator to the ticket.

Is it Michelle?

I saw 3 teen age girls in skirts at the coffee shop this morning--and it's casual Friday (usually they wear uniforms). Even some of the news-babes on TV are covering up a bit and looking more feminine. I think it's Michelle Obama. Women look at her and see how attractive they could look if they didn't try to dress like 1950s construction workers.