Tuesday, May 11, 2021

A Rant About Refrigerators


This week I'm ranting about refrigerators.  Specifically the words used by refrigerator manufacturers to describe Standard versus Counter Depth!  This is an egregious example of marketing doublespeak!  And it came to light when we started searching for a new refrigerator.

We've had a decent model for the past 10 years.  It's white to match the cabinets, dishwasher, microwave and stove. We thought this would be a relatively straightforward experience.  We recently updated the stove with a beautiful, ceramic topped convection model. We ordered it online after checking and double checking the dimensions. But all we had to confirm was the width...The depth and height were 'Standard'.  It fit perfectly first time!

Alas.  Shopping for a replacement refrigerator was not so easy. Very quickly in our search we ran into the Standard Depth versus Counter Depth issue.  Yes, refrigerator manufactures make two different refrigerator depths.  And they way they describe them is completely backward.  Unlike the stove, 'Standard Depth' refrigerators stick out on average 6 to 8 inches beyond the 'Standard Depth' counter.  "Counter Depth' refrigerators stick out only a couple of inches. In my opinion, the 'Standard Depth' refrigerator should be the 'Standard' and the other models should be called 'Deep'.   

I've been in marketing all my working life. I've seen a lot of crazy nomenclature..."Mandatory Option" being my favourite from the automotive industry.  While searching for a replacement refrigerator, 'Standard Depth' from the refrigerator industry is now number one!

We're disappointed and pissed off.  We're ready to buy! But can't find the right product.  If you can help, email us:  chris@chrismorales.ca

Until next time...

Chris Morales, Toronto


Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Zoom Divorce...And other Lessons We've Learned from the Pandemic

Zoom Divorce, Pandemic, Chris Morales

Have you heard of the 'Zoom Divorce'?  Up until yesterday I had not.  Then on the radio in the car yesterday, I heard 'Zoom Divorce' three times in my short commute to the office. It's 13 months into dealing with the COVID pandemic and we've learned so many new things, why not divorce?  It's another positive thing that has come out of being locked down.  Let me elaborate...

Before COVID, I depended on coffee meetups to catchup with friends. Always time limited and only with those who lived near by.  Since March 2021, I've had many Zoom calls with friends right across Canada.  We don't always talk for a long time and we could have called on our phones but it's great to actually see each other.

I've got family in the US on both coasts.  Before COVID we only saw each other at weddings and funerals.  In the past year we've Zoomed numerous times just to say hi.  The highlight was Christmas Eve 2020 when we all sat in front of our respective Christmas Trees to wish each other the best of the season.

We've done Zoom wedding and baby showers.  Pleasantly surprised at how well these went.  With gifts purchased online and shipped directly, everyone seemed to have a great time.

While on a Sunday evening walk this past weekend, we chatted with a neighbour who attended a Zoom wedding.  She loved it.  Her niece and fiancĂ© decided to use Zoom to celebrate their wedding with all their family and friends rather than delay until sometime in 2022...maybe!

And of course, I've attended a Zoom funeral.  This was tougher than a live in-person affair...I was alone and without the in-person contact, it felt unfinished.  

So a Zoom Divorce makes all the sense in the world.  Kudos to the Legal Firm who put the campaign together.  If you want more info, check out this article in the Toronto Star:  Divorce is still divorce, but doing it via zoom may be less painful.

Until next time...

Chris Morales, Toronto


Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Sidewalk Won!

"Ouch!"  Or something similar when I took a tumble on a run last week!  Mental lapse.  I misjudged the height of a concrete slab of sidewalk that had heaved up.  Down I went.  Hard!  

Fortunately I went with it...didn't fight it.  As I hit the ground, I rolled onto my side and bounced right back up.  Stunned, but not feeling that anything was broken or sprained, I kept on running.  I could feel the bruises on my knees but I figured I'd deal with it when I got home...only a mile away!

Then I shared it on Facebook! 

Chris Morales, Toronto, Running


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Be Humble: A Lesson from a Run

I've crossed paths with him many times while out running. An older guy, running slowly but smoothly.  We've acknowledged each other with a wave.  Up until yesterday, we'd never spoken.

"How old are you? he asked as I came up beside him.

"63" I answered proudly as I moved past.  "How old are you?"

Running, Humble, Humility

"74" he responded easily without breaking stride.

"Dam" I said to myself.  "He makes running look so easy".

As I moved ahead, I called out, "I want to be just like you".

Later that day as I reflected on that brief exchange, I got thinking...

I've been feeling pretty cocky since the kids gave me a Samsung Active 2 for my birthday.  Running 6:20 km's comfortably with the occasional 5:20/km speedy bursts.  I've become obsessed with running the last kilometer the fastest.  Once back home, I've stared at the run stats after they've synced with my phone.  I've even dreamt about running even faster times.  And yet, there was this guy running not much slower than the times I was celebrating...and he was 11 years older!

I felt humble! 

In running and in life it's so easy to get caught up competing with others. A bigger house, nicer car, larger TV, newer smartphone...you know, 'Keeping up with the Jones's'.  What a foolish game! No matter how good you are at your job, how blessed you are accumulating money, how good your health is, there is always someone somewhere better at your job, richer than you are, in better health!  

Be humble.  Accept what you have and leverage your strengths and abilities as far as you can take them! And through it all, remain humble!

Until next time...

Chris Morales

Chris Morales, Toronto