As we begin 2010, I want to bring everyone up to date as to what has been going on with Full Of Bull BBQ Sauce. I haven’t been updating the website because I was busy trying to change manufacturers of my sauce. The previous manufacturer could not duplicate their original effort—the one that has been on the shelves of Central Market—the one that you all came to know and love. Consistency was not their strong suit. Their second effort at a production run was so far off of the recipe that I literally had to destroy it—all 500 cases. You might wonder why I didn’t give it to a food bank. Well, I had spent 6 months building up a customer base and I wasn’t about to destroy everything with a bunch of lousy product. Yes, it was THAT bad and it had MY label on it. As a result, it now resides in the Austin, Texas landfill. The sad thing is, the manufacturer didn’t want to accept responsibility. I had to “eat” the whole $8,000 in production costs—plus an additional $1,000 to get it destroyed. The best thing to come of all of this is that I have now found a wonderful new manufacturer for Full Of Bull BBQ Sauce. They make it EXACTLY like I used to in my kitchen. The flavor and consistency is better than before. Now I know that some customers are going to prefer the old version. I only ask that you give the new one a try. I have done blind taste tastes and EVERYBODY liked the new Full Of Bull better—both flavors. I will begin doing demos in Central Market in February. Please look for me. I will be anxious to get your feedback.
1/27/10—As of today, the inventories of the Central Markets in Houston and San Antonio have been converted over to the new product. As an FYI, the product taken from the shelves in exchange will be given to the Capital Area Food Bank.
3/08/10—As of today, the Plano and Dallas Central Markets have been successfully converted over to the new product. Having just completed demos at the Plano, Dallas and San Antonio stores, I can now say that the new Full Of Bull BBQ Sauce is an unqualified success. I had concerns about changing a product that had been on the shelves for 8 months. My decision to change manufacturers from Bartush-Schnitzius to Creative Foodworks makes me look as wise as a tree full of owls. I will never look back.
Has writing “thank you” notes gone out of style? I don’t think so. It is the one way that you can distinguish yourself from the masses who think that a “thank you” e-mail is adequate. And then there are those that don’t do either. Surely your parents taught you better.
The following was sent to me by a great friend—apparantly one that thinks that I’m getting old—which I am. It is titled:
Truths For Mature Humans
1. I think part of a best friends’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
A friend of mine says this about life and circumstances—”it’s a long worm that never turns.”
Thought for a lifetime: Always be willing to sign your work.
FYI: “Pretty good” or “pretty nice” or “pretty smart” isn’t a compliment. If you are going to qualify your compliment, just don’t say anything at all.
To quote Ron White of Blue Collar Comedy fame, “you can’t fix stupid.” You really can’t.
If you are on the freeway and only driving the speedlimit, move over to another lane. You are far more dangerous than the person that is driving, in your words, “too fast.”