Day: May 6, 2006

“Dad, we need an exterminator” Megan shouted out from the kitchen. I walked in with an attitude, intent on conducting a complete forensic investigation prior to paying someone to spray generic bug spray. More specifically, in our case, ant spray. The ant invasion had begun. It seems every spring, these freakin ants get off the plane from Florida and head right to my kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a good cook and they know they can get a good meal here, but jeez, call ahead, willya? Megan and I have held intense strategy sessions (she’d say I just yell at her) about keeping the kitchen spotless so there’s no food sources to attract the little bast… um, guys. Megan had washed the floor and i had thoroughly cleaned all countertops. The place was clean, but still, I would not have eaten off the floor. In spite of our efforts…ants. I opened up our cupboards (how come that’s pronounced “cubbords”and not “cup-boards?”) to see if some package was open and providing the food source I wanted eliminated. I found this.

Yes, it’s shocking, but combating illegal ant immigration is a dangerous and sometimes scary vocation, and it’s not always pretty. Just consider this a free, “keepin it real,” good housekeeping tip from fifteenkey.com.

There’s drink n’ dial, txt intoxicated, and blogging while blind. I don’t think I’m quite in the latter category, but it is Cinco De Mayo (that’s Greek for “Jeff’s Birthday”) and I’ve celebrated with some fine Mexican cuisine and libations appropriate for this annual festivity… Oh, so the title… Well, I’m at my brother Kevin’s house outside Philly that he shares with his very cool wife, Noreen and their adorable daughter, Margeaux. At two, my little niece looks like her Mom, but has a miniature evil streak passed from her Dad’s (and mine) side of the family.

I spent much of today working on Sales issues, trying to help my business partners close business. Closing is hard. My brother is in the business of training Sales professionals, so I asked him why it’s sometimes so hard to close business. He said, among other things, that you’ve got to find out what your prospect’s pain is and then convince then you can take it away. “What if you don’t know what the pain is,” I asked. “You either find out or find another prospect,” he replied. “Otherwise you’re wasting your time and theirs.” Thanks, bro.