Biden's Wisdom and Shocking Halloween Offers
Andrew Bluett-Duncan
Director
For the last three or four weeks, Paul has commented that I’ve been complaining about not having enough time to write my Newsletter. Well, things haven’t improved really. It’s Wednesday morning and I feel like it’s Friday already, somewhat tired. One of the main reasons is just the large amount of physical work (unpacking, checking off, delivering onto our systems etc) in preparing for Christmas trade. Normally I’m not much involved with this side, but partly because we are short staffed, I do occasionally get pulled in to help. Maybe it’s just old(ish) age that is taking its toll on my stamina, but just at this moment I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Sinek and Biden
However, just now whilst drinking my morning coffee, I was watching Simon Sinek in the White House interviewing Joe Biden, which was a bit of a surprise to me (and I think to Simon as well).
Simon’s first question was to ask the President’s advice for his 13 year old nephew, who was was running for ‘Class President’ that day, saying “What advice would you have for young leaders on what they should expect should they win?”, and although I’m not sure what ‘Class President’ might entail, I thought the President’s answer was rather good. He said, “He should expect to have to do what he said he was going to do.” and that ”He should let people know that he cares about what he said.” He goes on to talk about dignity of the individual and the importance of treating everybody as individuals. He recalls his mother saying “No one’s better than you, you are no better than anybody else, you’re the same as everybody, you have to treat people with respect”. They then go on to discuss why he has been able to ‘keep his feet on the ground’ which seems very much tied up with his parents’ attitudes of equality and dignity. I think I’d recommend this interview, (which may be interpreted by some as a mere PR exercise, I wouldn’t be one of them though) irrespective of your political views. There’s some good observations on life, priorities and values in these 33 minutes. If your intrigued to see more click here.
Shocking Products
This week I find myself with Halloween looming. Not a time of year that I relish very much, if at all. Grudgingly 'supervised' children begging for highly processed snacks? But my chums at Le Creuset, never ones to let a marketing opportunity pass, have gradually increased their ranges of Halloween product over the years. This, culminating in the production of cast iron casseroles in the shape of pumpkins. For heaven’s sake!
Only the other day, I witnessed a perfectly normally and outwardly sane woman come up to the counter and ask for one of these things and she was even prepared to pay over £200 for the privilege….sane? Apparently, this happens a lot, both in the shops and online, because we sell quite a lot of them. Of course, despite my disparaging remarks regarding the ‘theme’, their technical qualities are up to Le Creuset’s usual high standards. So, if I were to judge you for wanting to buy one of these, you’d probably think I’m a miserable old curmudgeon. And there you may be correct, or maybe I’ve just got better taste than you? But, as we’ve discussed before what is one man’s good taste is another’s lack!
White Pumpin Casserole
So, as you can see, I’m not enthused, but feel free to avail yourself of these ‘remarkable’ pieces of Le Creuset. Here is a selection of them, and the full range with some excellent discounts is on the website HERE.
New Knife Sharpener
“Now for something completely different”. Something that I can happily enthuse about. My favourite knife sharpener is the Mino Sharp two wheel. It has a coarse and a fine wheel, and, as a rule, it’s my ‘go to’ for keeping my knives in good shape. Unless I’m testing out a new sharpener like the Horl, a few weeks ago. Unlike some sharpeners that can chip knife blades the Mino Sharp is safe, very quick, easy to use, and puts a fiercely sharp yet smooth edge on any straight blade (i.e. not serrated blades).
For many years it had a ‘three wheel big brother’ which I always thought was a bit ungainly and expensive. So, I wasn’t that sad therefore when they discontinued it a little while ago, but my dislike of it was by no means universal within the company, let alone elsewhere. So, there were murmurs of delight when Global decided that they would redesign it and bring out their own version to replace the original Mino clunky three wheel model . The new three wheeler, is a much better looking product, being neater, slimmer and lower. You have the very coarse blue wheel, the somewhat finer white wheel next and then the pink honing wheel. The benefit of the extra ‘very coarse’ wheel will help you bring back a blade that has become almost terminally blunt. If this isn’t a requirement, you may well find that the two wheel is sufficient.
Global themselves are doing an opening offer on it at £49.00 but currently with our price-matching you can have it for the exceptional price of £40.00. This is the same price as the standard two wheel Mino sharp, so it does seem like a bargain. It’s available in two different models. A plain black plastic handle version and a stainless steel handled one. They are both the same price, and it’s really which one do you prefer the look of. In terms of durability I doubt there’s anything in it, as the stainless steel is just a covering stuck over the plastic handle. As a fan of the original two wheel version, I’m going to stick my neck out (not having used the three wheel myself ) and bet that this will also be an excellent knife sharpener. If you buy one and think I’m wrong, we’ll happily take it back for a refund.
I’ll leave the last word to Joe Biden. He’s talking about getting to know other Senators during his long political career. Historically, he says, he got to know and became friends with politicians on both sides, Democrat and Republican. He goes on to observe that in the process of getting to know these people, whilst you can find yourself disagreeing like hell, you don’t hate them, or cast aspersions on them. He explains that it’s easier to really dislike someone and ascribe the worst characteristic to them, when you don’t know anything about them.
Well observed Mr President.
I trust you have a pleasant and peaceful weekend
Andrew
Andrew Bluett-Duncan
Director
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