Fishpimp Film Review: Thank You for Smoking

It's brilliant! If you haven't seen it go rent it now!

Hitting a Nerve

One thing I learned about sales at the Fishhouse is that sometimes you just throw something out just to see if it sticks. Sometimes it’s a high price, sometimes it’s an analogy. More often than not it doesn’t get you anywhere, but sometimes you end up hitting a home run. I told a guy he could afford a new Cadillac CTS with all the cash I was saving him. It turns out he had just bought a new truck and was looking for a way to justify the purchase; he picked up the phone and fired the current vendor on the spot.

My coworker, Steve, had just such an experience yesterday. One of our competitors is known for its long history of excellent service, however, in recent years the quality of their rental garments has declined dramatically. So Steve-o walks into this auto shop and finds out from the manager that they use this company for their uniforms. So he throws this out:

“Oh, I never would have guessed!...The zipper is still attached to your jacket.”

It was an over-the-top slam on the competitor; an extreme exaggeration meant to call attention to the poor quality of the current purveyor, but not meant at all to be taken literally. After all, zippers don’t just fall off of jackets

“My other jacket has been missing the zipper for three months.” The manager replied.

Bingo.

Genetic Destiny

Anyone who has known me for a while has heard the 'genetic destiny' jokes - women doing dishes and men watching football, etc. (Jokes only, remember!) This past weekend I learned the real meaning of the term: I took Tolkien the Australian Cattle Dog for a herding lesson. Ho-lee Smokes that dog can herd! Without any instruction he tore across the pen and chased the sheep (which he had never seen before) right back to the trainer. With only minimal instruction he learned to work the stock in the direction the trainer desired. He told us the Toetoe could compete in herding trials with only a little more instruction. The dog has talent. It's amazing that having gone the first 3 years of his life without ever encountering a sheep he knew exactly what to do when he dinlly did come upon one.

Back in the Northwest.

I spent the last 7 days in L.A.. 5 in sales training and 2 with my main Idahoan, Luke. The class was excellent, but long and exhausting. It's always fun to go to these things, meet people from all over the country and learn about life around these great United States. One night we went out for Thai food. Being from the West Coast, I'm used to exotic cuisine like this, but the poor guy from Wichita ordered the Tilapia thinking he would be served a fillet; he got the whole damn fish. HA!

After a week at the hotel I was looking forward to hanging out with Luke, but I had to kill 5 hours before he could pick me up. So I took the shuttle to the mall to see a movie. I caught a screening of "The Guardian". It's a little formulaic, but I enjoyed it none-the-less.

Later, after questioning my sexuality for watching a Kevin Costner movie by myself, Luke took me out for some beers. He announced he's in the process of buying his first place. Congratulations to my homie.

Saturday He had to work so I loafed around, watched some football, went to the store for groceries (it's hard to make a meal out of ketchup & baking soda, the only contents of Luke's fridge). After a Rock Star & 3 mile run I whipped up a little Pork Saltimbocca with Polenta, making sure I made enough for him to have left-overs

In return he introduced me to R. Kelly's Magnum Opus "Trapped in the Closet". It's brilliant, certain to be a cinematic classic. But the really grasp his genius, you have to watch R. Kelly's comentary, he's a visionary. Seriously.

Now I'm home watching the Hawks get thier lunch handed to them by the Bears. Uff Da. At least I've got the Bears D on my fantasy team. Regardless, it's good to be home, and despite my bravado, it will be even nicer when Mrs. Fishpimp gets home in two weeks.

Back in the Northwest.

I spent the last 7 days in L.A.. 5 in sales training and 2 with my main Idahoan, Luke. The class was excellent, but long and exhausting. It's always fun to go to these things, meet people from all over the country and learn about life around these great United States. One night we went out for Thai food. Being from the West Coast, I'm used to exotic cuisine like this, but the poor guy from Wichita ordered the Tilapia thinking he would be served a fillet; he got the whole damn fish. HA!

After a week at the hotel I was looking forward to hanging out with Luke, but I had to kill 5 hours before he could pick me up. So I took the shuttle to the mall to see a movie. I caught a screening of "The Guardian". It's a little formulaic, but I enjoyed it none-the-less.

Later, after questioning my sexuality for watching a Kevin Costner movie by myself, Luke took me out for some beers. He announced he's in the process of buying his first place. Congratulations to my homie.

Saturday He had to work so I loafed around, watched some football, went to the store for groceries (it's hard to make a meal out of ketchup & baking soda, the only contents of Luke's fridge). After a Rock Star & 3 mile run I whipped up a little Pork Saltimbocca with Polenta, making sure I made enough for him to have left-overs

In return he introduced me to R. Kelly's Magnum Opus "Trapped in the Closet". It's brilliant, certain to be a cinematic classic. But the really grasp his genius, you have to watch R. Kelly's comentary, he's a visionary. Seriously.

Now I'm home watching the Hawks get thier lunch handed to them by the Bears. Uff Da. At least I've got the Bears D on my fantasy team. Regardless, it's good to be home, and despite my bravado, it will be even nicer when Mrs. Fishpimp gets home in two weeks.