Up, Down and Around Our Town

It doesn't seem possible that December has arrived and with it all, lots of possibilities exist. Rather than get off on a tangent and confuse some of you, I'll just empty the inbox of those comments and thoughts that many of you have shared. If nothing else, it allows me to do a little cleaning of my own files - that in itself cannot help but be an ultimate asset.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. A quiet Thursday with just my bride and her sister culminated in a lovely meal that we ate out. While the preparation was missing, so were the leftovers, but with the spirit of Christmas in the air, it made for a nice day.

Black Friday. I somehow think that this custom may be working its way out of the lexicon of the American public. Yes, there is something exciting about getting up at 4:00 AM to go to Kohl's (pick your store), but I somehow wonder if it is all worth it. The tragedy on Long Island with the overzealous shoppers trampling an employee points to the fact that we still cannot put anything in proportion. But, this day has become a ritual of sorts for many families. That's a good thing. Perspective needs to be included here. Someday. Plus, it appeared that there were lots and lots of shoppers, but not a lot of buying. That's says something right there.

To the Clark County Indians and the Illini West Chargers, a wonderful weekend in St. Louis and Champaign respectively. Both close games and the big hardware has now found its way back to Kahoka and Carthage. It is wonderful seeing the outpouring of emotion that High School Football elicits. Seeing the Illini West game was tremendous; no such luck with the Clark County game. But - that's television.

General Motors, et.al. You know, a month or so ago, I would have said "let them go under." But, perhaps this is a new day. We bailed our AIG and the likes and having a strong Detroit only makes good sense. But, there should be conditions. Like making a car that people will actually want to own. Or, making a car that doesn't end up in the shop. Or, making a car that will last more than 3 years. My sense is that the pendulum will swing Detroit's way and that can only help our economy. Plus, seemingly everyone else is in line for the free money; why not them?

Gas prices. Can I say more? While there is a dark side to it all, the benefits are more than financial. Just goes to show you what the lack of speculators in the market can do for the ultimate consumer. Plus, the oil companies aren't getting hurt; they're margins remain the same. But, I never thought less than $2 a gallon would ever show up in my lifetime. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Housing and bad mortgages. Clean these up boys, and you will see the foundation of the economy pick up immediately. Does this mean that a guy making $40,000 a year can still afford his $500,000 home? Probably not. The ability to get these bad debts off the books and having people actually pay back the credit that was extended is the root of the problem to begin with. Who gets helped when the housing industry is strong? Everyone. And, more to the fact, it probably helps the job market as well.

EXP@CSC. Probably means little to most. But, on this date, academic history will be made. The legacy of Bill Fox at Culver Stockton will be traced to many things and this 3-week opportunity to share, in depth and on location, the joy of learning just excites me to no end. We'll be jumping all through the Midwest (and parts of the world) looking at the magic of International and Global Business. A 3 week seminar with 15 fine young people. No distractions and no make-ups. Just the chance to examine, debate and learn a few things. For all of the right reasons.

Back to Dr. Fox. I had purposely left his entry out of last week's entry due to the remote chance that perhaps it wasn't going to happen. But, on July 1, 2009, Dr. Bill Fox will be installed as the new President of St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. His alma mater. Thomas Wolfe being proven wrong once again. We'll mourn and miss, because that's what you do when one you respect and admire decides to move on. But, his real legacy will have been the jump-starting of the psyche of the Harvard on the Hill. Long dormant when he arrived, not to mention the tragedy of an F2 tornado that flattened half of the campus, he rebuilt and rebooted the college to levels that perhaps some had never envisioned. That's why I always want a dreamer at the helm - one who has never truly grown up - and can capture that excitement of new things in new places. We'll exercise our selfish side, but deep down will admire the choice of the St. Lawrence folks. Plus, his history is more than secure.

Thanksgiving for our family turned into a lovely day with everyone, but on Saturday. The turkey dinner with all of the trimmings, coupled with the usual furry while dog and 3rd generation made for a sense of both appreciation and wanderlust. My hero sat at the table in her new seat and her brother devoured the dinner and the brownie that awaited him. Just when you may think that circumstances have changed your ideas, pull up the experience of Thanksgiving 2008. Particularly when you are the house that "over the river and thru the woods" now refers to. That in itself may take a few years to digest. Plus, the furry white dog even got her own plate of food - something unheard of. Who says we can't adjust?

More next week as always. 24 shopping days till Christmas. Enjoy it all. Till then, and as always, I remain.....