Boeing, Airbus, and Survivor

I see that the new A380 is getting ready for flight testing. In truth, I'd be happier, even ecstatic if it were a Boeing product. There's something very cool about pushing limits, and making the biggest commercial airplane is a great milestone for aviation. But as a patriotic American, I really wish it had been Boeing that had made the airplane, as it would have helped me feel good about America's ability to push limits and maximize our potential as a body politic.

But in truth, we really can't take anything away from Airbus, can we? If you think about it, the more jealous & disappointed I am that Boeing didn't do it is in direct relationship to the level of accomplishment the Europeans have made - e.g. if it weren't a big deal I wouldn't feel so bad.

I have to come clean at this and give my sincerest heartfelt congratulations to all the folks at Airbus for making an outstanding airplane, for dreaming big and pushing the boundries of what is possible that much further out. As an airplane freak, I really do hope it's successful, and can't wait to ride on one and see how it turns out. Perhaps somebody with influence at Airbus can arrange for me a free flight on one so I can gush about the experience. :) OK, it's got a snowball's chance, but I can dream can't I?

Of course, the more successful Airbus is the more embarassing it is to see Boeing brass talking about being hard-working and ethical and all, and pushing their people to do more with less, but then we see them fornicating around, partying, and just plain being egotistical. I remember reading once a customer's account of the difference between Boeing and Airbus. When they asked as part of the deal for some simulator time, the Boeing person basically said "We'll get back to you on that" and left them hanging (never did call back it seems). But Airbus quickly agreed to provide the resources necessary to help their customer.

So, what does this all have to do with Survivor? I think the lessons are the same:

If you don't want it bad enough, you'll fail. Yesterday Ulong lost the immunity challenge again, making them the first tribe to have gone this far without ever having one immunity. Jeff Probst (the host) really grilled them about what when wrong. Specifically all of Koror's team members went into instant action, two making their fortress and two retrieving supplies. But at Ulong, Ibrehem waded out into the water then did nothing while James stood around trying to tie his skirt-thing. As Jeff said: they lost the challenge because of their actions in the first three minutes. One would think that after losing so often and needing a win they would be working harder than Koror, but such was not the case. It seems the same thing is happening at Boeing, they're just not trying hard enough at the top levels of management to succeed.

I think Boeing's saving grace is that there are a lot of talented, hard working little people that make up for the exec's blunders. The new version of the 737 that's being proposed (220 seats) is a good example. But it makes one wonder just how much better Boeing would be if the top folks were as good as the ones below them.

Perhaps it's like the Dilbert cartoon, where the boss is extolling everyone to only hire people smarter than they are. The comment from the floor is that if this is consistantly done, the person at the top will be the stupidest person in the company. :)

Apprentice, Survivor, and Babies

What do these three things have in common? My non-working life at times seems to revolve around them. OK, that's not entirely true. Shopping for blinds (why do they sell new houses without them), pushing on my low-voltage contractor (I'd like to have the bid please?), and trying to get sleep and my house in a reasonable stage of cleanliness do take time. But when I do have a little downtime...

Survivor. Man, I be the members of Ulong were very surprised at not merging. But if you think about it the numbers weren't there. Typically the merge happens at what - 9 folks left? 7 for the jury and two finalists? Right now there were 8 Koror folks and 5 Ulong. Not even close. Even after the episode where Willard and Angie were voted out (alas Angie, you were much more capable than either Ebrehem (all brawn, not much brain) or James (not too strong on the challenges, eh? Pretty poor attitude for someone who hates poor attitudes)) there are still 11 survivors left. At least one more episode before the merge, then merge & one person voted out, leaving 9.

The only person I see from Ulong making it to the final four is Stephanie. Ibrehem doesn't really make any friends, and post-merge those muscles don't count for much. James is too alienating and will piss off Coby who will surely see him gone. Bobby John is doing fantastic and if he can I think will last awhile, as I see Caryn & Janu leaving very, very soon. Why? Because it seems that those who are abrasive are the first to go. Remember Mia from Survivor 9? Or Jolanda from this season?

I'm going to miss Angie. Surely they could have voted off James first? He's just so whiny and makes excuses all the time, and Angie seems to be finding strength in herself that she didn't know she had. And poor Bobby John! He works so hard and is so likable, but he puts himself down too much and will be out soon as well. What he should do is start making James look bad to Stephanie. Ibrehem will get himself voted out so is of no concern.

Far more intersting is Koror. But lets face it, Caryn has no friends and Janu is too physically & mentally weak to stay around. Everyone seems very buff on Tom & Ian, but I think the higher up they get the faster they will go. Like Lea (Sarge), I believe Tom will be one of the first to go post-merge, as that's when the numbers will be against him in terms of there being many weaker folk who can oust him as too big a threat. And as likable as Ian is, he's just not the strategist to make it all the way. Stephanie, Coby, & Gregg are the people that I see as having the most chace of making it to the final four.

As for the Apprentice...yes we all couldn't believe that Verna quit. But equally so I can't believe how stupid Michael is. I mean, how did that guy ever get on the show? And he's only 25? He looks older than me and I'm 37.

What a change in my two month old daughter. Up until now there hasn't been much for Dad to do, but as she's getting older I find myself wanting to spend more and more time with her. It will be really cool when she can sit up by herself. Even cooler when she begins toddling! Someone said that kids get better as they get older, and I'm starting to believe it.