This Too, Has Passed

Finally some relief this week! I had a pretty good time on Saturday going with friend Kyle Bollman to see Snakes on a Plane. It wasn't that bad of a movie actually. I had rather low expectations that it would be about just what you would think 'snakes on a plane.' Though, it was a lot about that, it had a pretty good plot line. It was worth going out to La Grande and watching. I don't know if I'd make a point to see it twice, not at least until it's on DVD.

What a difference a week makes. Last week I was complaining about lousy customers' attitudes... this week couldn't have been more the opposite. I dealt with mostly pleasant people (perhaps they read this blog?) -- I doubt it, but it was like night and day. We were glad to have a break. That doesn't mean business was slow, however; no quite the contrary... LB Productions is rising high out of a lull from last month. We aren't ever slow, but we were slower in July, but August has been exactly the opposite. Probably the most exciting thing is the new computer line we are building. Tidal Wave Computers hit the floor this week, and they are already selling before we can build them. I came up with the idea to build high quality computers a few weeks ago after I've had increasingly less confidence in Dell. Though I still believe they are a very solid machine, it is the customer service and support that is suffering. They are trying far too hard to compete with Wal-Mart specials, and thus the support suffers. When I originally started my relationship with Dell they were high-end machines, mostly used by the corporate world. I am not sure if their competition with the low-end market has helped them. I will still continue to sell the notebooks indefinitely, because I think no one builds them better -- but I believe I can beat the price and quality of the desktops and have quicker turn around for my customers.

Enough about business, hope everyone is having a good weekend. I know I am! -LB

Top Ten for Week of August 26, 2006

1. Keithanne Boeve'
2. Kyle Bollman
3. Jay Watts
4. Debbie Bobbitt
5. Carl Bobbitt
6. Chris Gamboa
7. Joe Dawson
8. Hannah Bobbitt
9. Ezekial Hale
10.Sterling Shetler

The Joys of Business

Hello all, so sorry it has been so very long since I've written. My life has been utter chaos the past couple of weeks. I am working harder than ever before, and you think I would be getting rich from the amount of business that has walked through my door. Oh no, of course not... it has been just a bunch of irate customers and BS that makes owning your own business somewhat of a challenge.

Yes, I'm ranting... but I have good reason. People just don't get it. When you are working your butt off trying to help them out -- they just don't seem to get it.

Earlier this week I had a client call me up and claim that I was "overcharging" her because she thought a computer tutorial to operate her powerpoint was included in the computer sale. I thought for a moment and regained my clarity of the situation. Does a car dealer give you free driving lessons with a car? Obviously not. So I knew I was not out of line in the situation. So, I met the person half way and they still were somewhat unsatisfied.

Oh, the joys of business. Though I must say most of the time my business is NOT like this, but you too can relate when there's one or two bad seeds in the pile it tends to ruin your day (or week in my case). This week has been just as crazy, but far less irate (thank God). I am hopefully growing a thicker skin through all of this and becoming a better businessman for it. Okay, there folks I am done. I promise to be a lot more chipper next blogging session! :) -LB

Top Ten for week of July 29, 2006

1. Chris Gamboa
2. Keithanne Boeve'
3. Jay Watts
4. Christian Ambroson
5. Kyle Bollman
6. Kyle Hook
7. Cynthia Hilden
8. Sterling Shetler
9. Elisa Gamboa
10.Dylan Lewis

Lazy Sunday

Well, after a long and hectic weekend, Chief Joseph Days has come to a close for 2006. Thank goodness! I am actually looking forward to a return of 'normal life' at least for now.

I went to the rodeo Saturday night and had a pretty good time. It wasn't the best, nor the worst rodeo I've ever seen at CJD. It was worthwhile, however. I was also pleased to see the announcer (Bob Tallman) recognize the military at least to a certain extent. Though I am still angry about the whole situation that occured (read previous post), he at least didn't go completly sour in my book.

Had a great time selling beer tokens in the Thunder Room Saturday night. A lot of crazy and rowdy drunks were there as a person can imagine. Even some underage drinkers trying to sneek in. The evening was exciting, but enough is a enough for another year. -LB

Top Ten for week of July 22, 2006

1. Keithanne Boeve'
2. Jay Watts
3. Kyle Bollman
4. Ezekial Hale
5. Kyle Hook
6. Melissa Newhouse
7. Debbie Bobbitt
8. Hannah Bobbitt
9. Christian Ambroson
10. Carl Bobbitt

Chief Joseph Days

It's here again, the weekend where Joseph swells up to about ten times it's size. The weekend that us locals can hardly understand.

First, I'll start with the negative and then move to the positive...

My sister Hannah is part of the military flag team that presents the flags during each rodeo performance honoring our men and women in the military. After practicing for two weeks, her and her teammates were told they wouldn't appear during the rodeo per Bob Tallman's request. For those of you who don't know, Bob Tallman is a famous rodeo announcer that has been at CJD for several years. Tallman, in his infinite wisdom thought it would take "too much time" for the military flags, and started calling the shots on a rodeo that isn't his to call. He is an announcer paid by the money brought in by the hard working volunteers of Chief Joseph Days. It is because of the good men and women in the military that he is able to announce and make such cowardly decisions that aren't his to make in the first place. I personally would not lose sleep if Bob Tallman never announced at Chief Joseph Days again. Personally, I do not agree with the Bush administration and it's decisions for military action, however, I never seize my support for our military. Our community and people are much larger than a fool who thinks a few minutes is too much to spare to honor the folks who bring us our freedom.

*Sigh*... now onto the fun part.

A lot of my friends are in town for the big celebration. It is great to see everyone again. It reminds me a lot of last summer. I wish everyone was here this summer like last year. Oh well, I'm going to enjoy it while it is going on! We have been going out on the lake all the time and it has been great. Here are a few recent photos from our outings:

Jay attempts a back (or forward flip)

Christian is quite a stud on the wakeboard

Kelsi and Kelsi watch Dylan and Jay wakeboard

Dylan re-learns wakeboarding after a several month absence from Wallowa Lake

Lane cracks up as someone gets 'dumped' off the kite tube.

In other news, I have been helping my friend and employee Keithanne Boeve' move into Joseph from the lake. It has been exhausting at times, but so worth it to see her happy in her new home. Keep up to date with KEITHANNE'S BLOG as she will be updating it (with some nudging from me).

Well folks, that's all for now! -LB

Top Ten for week of July 15, 2006

1. Keithanne Boeve'
2. Jay Watts
3. Hannah Bobbitt
4. Cynthia Hilden
5. Kyle Hook
6. Kyle Bollman
7. Debbie Bobbitt
8. Carl Bobbitt
9. Sterling Shetler
10. Thane Shetler

The Best Monday Ever... YEAH!

This past Monday has to be the best Monday I have ever had... ever!

First of all, Sunday night I was at a social gathering with some friends, and I ran into Marlene McDowell, who owns Eagle Cap Packstation and Eagle Cap Parasailing. I was showing her the pictures I had taken of a friend parasailing, and she asked "have you ever been up?" and I said "nope, but I would like to at some point." She said, "what are you doing tomorrow (Monday)..." and before I could even reply that I had to work she said "oh you have to go, I'm putting you on the schedule right when I get home!" Sure enough, Monday morning I was up in the sky over beautiful Wallowa Lake. Friends Keithanne Boeve' and Cynthia Hilden (who I took pictures of prior when she was parasailing) were nice enough to sit on the boat and watch. Keithanne took plenty of pictures.

Later in the day (after deciding to take the day off from work), I went out to La Grande and watched You, Me, and Depree at the movies. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be but it was still worth watching.

It was a GRRREEEEEAAAATTT Monday and I will never forget the day I got to play hookie!

Top Ten for week of July 8, 2006

1. Jay Watts
2. Matt Williams
3. Kyle Hook
4. Melissa Newhouse
5. Sterling Shetler
6. Kyle Bollman
7. Alyse Fisher
8. Thane Shetler
9. Keithanne Boeve'
10. Ezekial Hale