Many Changes Coming

Blogging, Personal, Rant, local, photography View Comments
Jul 162008

Things have been rather hectic in my own little world as of late. 

Brent and I are working on a project together (actually several) and I’ve been working on getting all of my artwork in a more cohesive order.

With the launch of Discovered Artists website I’ve decided to change a few things in my work-flow. The photoblog A Cognitive State of Mind will no longer be “active”. I’ll probably just take it down soon and have it point to here for the time being. In its place (later) I will have a “proper” flash gallery. I’ve just found myself much too busy to upload an image everyday as is the proper practice for a photoblog. Besides, I’ve needed a gallery for some time and that URL already has incoming links so why waste them right?

Furthermore, I will begin “cleaning” up my Flickr account and removing many images from the site. I have been contemplating this decision for many weeks and have decided to take more caution in the images that are representative of me as an artist, no matter where those images are viewed. In essence I will use the Flickr account as a secondary gallery.

Here at Damien Franco dot Com I will be posting much more frequently and sharing images along the way as well. I feel there will be more of an emphasis on Fine Art Photography as a recurring topic, but certainly I will use this medium to rant and rave as I choose.

Lastly, Heather (my wife) and I are starting yet another blog (her first!). Because we live in a town completely devoid of exceptional customer service we often times find ourselves frustrated (even infuriated) by the service we receive while dinning. I’ve worked as a waiter before so I know it’s hard, but there is absolutely no reason we should be receiving the service we receive. I will be getting some business cards made with the website URL on the front and text on the back stating “You’ve just served the authors of MidlandDining.net” or something to that effect. We’ll give one to the server and one to the manager so they can see how bad or good their service was. We’ve been talking about doing this for a while and I feel it’s one case where maybe, just maybe, a couple of people can really make a difference. While that website won’t be updated too often (we only go out to eat about once a week) I think it will hit home for some people and hopefully others will get the benefits of our labors. Maybe the service industry in this town will start to turn around, maybe not. It should be fun though. I’m willing to bet the comments section gets a little nasty after the site has gained momentum.

That’s it for now. Cheers!

Posted by Damien Franco at 5:05 am Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

No New Apartments For Midland?

local View Comments
May 272008

Since moving back to Midland, TX about 7 months ago I’ve become increasingly concerned about the well being behind the people that run this city.  What the heck are they smoking?

Here’s the simple breakdown of what’s wrong with this town.  This won’t even include the lack of arts and culture (I’ll touch on that in a later post I’m sure).

There are two many jobs in this town and not enough people.

There are two many people in this town and not enough housing.

So all we need to do as a city is increase the housing situation right?  Well, according to city council that’s what we’re trying to do.

Or is it?

Council again delays decision on apartments! Are you kidding?

“Developers said they may choose not to continue with the proposed 209-unit Blue Ridge Apartments.

This comes after the City Council, in a 4-2 vote, chose to defer the project — a move that goes against the grain of the council’s priority for more housing.”

All of this means that the development of the city will stay at a stand still for an even longer amount of time.  I understand that they want to wait for a full council after the vote, but come on.  Does anyone actually think any new council members are going to oppose the increase in housing that will ultimately help this city be a better place to live?

The lack of housing in this community is the number one reason why we are having so many problems here.  For example:  With not enough housing we don’t have enough workers.  That problem plagues the everyday consumer as we hit stores and are greeted by overworked and understaffed resaurants, grocery stores, and just about everywhere else you spend your hard earned money.

Is there any wonder why customer service has become increasingly atrocious in this town.  The workers don’t care.  They don’t care about their jobs because they can walk next door to whatever building is there and ask for a job.  Chances are that they will get to start working the next day because the employers are starving for workers.  See the problem?  Sheesh!

So come on Midland City Council do what you know is right and fix it.  Get us more housing!

I know of one place that has vacancies anyway.

apartment sign

 

Posted by Damien Franco at 10:24 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Finally! Great Service in Fast Food.

Health, local View Comments
May 252008

Heather and I have been eating so much healthier in the past couple of years and we’ve definitely been the better for it. That means very few trips to burger joints and fat food, I mean fast food establishments. I could go on and on about how evil McDonald’s is but I won’t, not yet.

Occasionally, however, I do head to a fast food place and grab some chow. I’ve always heard that if you don’t “cheat” occasionally you’re destined to fail (we’re talking about food here people!). The beauty is that most places have such terrible service that it just becomes an added reminder that we shouldn’t give these establishments our hard earned money anyway. I mean, if you can’t even say “Have a nice day”! Come on people. When was the last time you had your order repeated over the telecoms to ensure they got your order right? I sit there in front of the window checking my order before I pull away, I don’t care how many cars are behind me. And if they ask me to pull up I tell them what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and how they can avoid such instances in the future. This is, of course, met with an angry look or rolled eyes.

I digress…

I was talking about my dinner.

There are few fast food burger places that actually make burgers that taste like, well… burgers. Whataburger is one of those rare beauties. I don’t know if they use 100% beef or what, but those things actually taste like a real burger should. So I like their burgers, that’s great and all, but here’s the deal.

I pull up to order and wham! Out of nowhere I’m greeted by “It’s a wonderful day at Whataburger how can I help you?” I actually sat there in shock for a couple of seconds. I hadn’t been greeted like that in a while*. After I ordered she did the unspeakable, GASP, she repeated my order to see if she had gotten it right! She was friendly, courteous, and just plain out right nice.

When I pulled up to receive my order she asked me how her day was. I said fine, then asked about hers. She was super friendly and through conversation I learned she was close to 12 hours on her shift! If you’ve ever worked fast food, or in a restaurant, those are loooong shifts. She really made my day and I hope that she gets the recognition she deserves. Whatagal!

Whatagal!

For anyone in Midland, TX this would be the Whataburger at 2517 E Interstate 20
Midland, TX 79701

*Jack In The Box has really nice people that handle the telecoms but I’m convinced they work at a call center and besides, that place is only been open here in Midland, TX for a couple of months. That doesn’t count.

Posted by Damien Franco at 6:24 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,
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