Moon Landing

Did you know there are people who believe the moon landing was a hoax? Wow. I mean, I've been called a conspiracy theorist, but that is taking it to a whole new level. Nevertheless, in case you haven't had enough strolling down the memory lane by moonlight, check out this cool You Tube video of the landing on the moon by clicking here.

Women's Words

I am a woman, but I'll be the first to admit we are a strange breed. We offer something unique to the world. I found these online and thought they were funny. Here's some of the funnier ones for those who need a laugh!

Women's Dictionary:

Argument (ar*gyou*ment) n.
A discussion that occurs when you're right, but he hasn't realized it yet.

Airhead (er*hed) n.
What a woman intentionally becomes when pulled over by a policeman.

Bar-be-que (bar*bi*q) n
You bought the groceries, washed the lettuce, chopped the tomatoes, diced the onions, marinated the meat and cleaned everything up, but, he “made the dinner.”

Cantaloupe (kant*e*lope) n
Gotta get married in a church.

Clothes dryer (kloze dri*yer) n.
An appliance designed to eat socks.

Diet Soda (dy*it so*da) n.
A drink you buy at a convenience store to go with a half pound bag of peanut M&Ms.

Eternity (e*ter*ni*tee) n.
The last two minutes of a football game.

Exercise (ex*er*siz) v
To walk up and down a mall, occasionally resting to make a purchase.

Grocery List (grow*ser*ee list) n.
What you spend ½ an hour writing, then forget to take to the store.

Hair Dresser (hare dres*er) n.
Someone who is able to create a style you will never be able to duplicate again.
See also “Magician.”

Hardware Store (hard*war stor) n
Similar to a black hole in space-if he goes in, he isn't coming out anytime soon.

Childbirth (child*brth) n.
You get to go through 36 hours of contractions; he gets to hold your hand and say “focus,...breathe...push...”

Lipstick (lip*stik) n
On your lips, coloring to enhance the beauty of your mouth. On his collar, coloring only a tramp would wear...!

Park (park) v./n.
Before children, a verb meaning, “to go somewhere and neck.” After children, a noun meaning a place with a swing set and slide.

Patience (pa*shens) n.
The most important ingredient for dating, marriage and children. See also “tranquilizers.”

Waterproof Mascara (wah*tr*pruf mas*kar*ah) n.
Comes off if you cry, shower, or swim, but will not come off if you try to remove it.

Risk Control Hierarchy: Enhanced by Thru-Door Electrical Safety

A clear and realistic set of objectives goes a long way in driving continuous improvements in electrical safety.Resources can be allocated and priorities can be defined once objectives are set. The Risk Control Hierarchy (RCH) in the ANSI-Z10 standard provides electrical safety professionals with an excellent roadmap for setting the right safety objectives that result in the reduction of electrical risks. For example, when a Department of Energy electrical safety program is analyzed under the light of the RCH, many potential electrical safety improvements begin to jump off the page.The RCH not only helps improve a plant electrical safety program, but it also inspires manufacturers to improve their electrical equipment designs. Lastly, the RCH provides a means to measure the effectiveness of an electrical safety initiative much the same way a project manager uses financial measurements (Return on Investment or Payback Analysis) to evaluate a project.

Click here to download the the entire paper in PDF.

Click here to be redirected to Grace Engineered Products' Web site.

Oh Say Can You See…

I think I was in Junior High when I really read the poem that had become our National Anthem. The first stanza is dripping with imagery that pierces my heart. Imagine for a moment Francis Scott Key was standing before you asking the questions which have echoed through the decades. Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, or the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare; the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Forgive me for being what some may consider sappy, but for me the final question – the one I have put in red – is the one I ask myself when the fireworks are exploding in the sky. Fireworks are, after all, our reenactment of that fateful battle (and the other battles that have secured our freedom) which inspired this timeless this poem.

Martin Luther King, Jr., called the Declaration of Independence a Promissory Note. Every Fourth, while the “ramparts are gallantly streaming” I am humbled by the realization that I am a beneficiary of that Promise. I am humbled by the sacrifice of the people who daily get up and defend what that Star-Spangled-Banner represents. I understand our Nation is polarized right now. We have ideological differences that create deep chasms where reconciliation and understanding have gone to die. Yet, I still cling to the Promise that we have “unalienable rights endowed to us by our Creator.” I hold on to the objective penned in the Preamble of the Constitution, which states: “We the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” What a mission statement!

This Fourth of July is the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It isn’t more spectacular than last years’ Fourth. It isn’t less important than next years’ Fourth. It is amazingly wonderful every year because this experiment we call the United States of America is amazingly wonderful. So, when you are watching fireworks this year, in between the ooohs and aaahs, perhaps you will consider what those explosions in the sky represent. And, as the National Anthem is being sung and that last question asks if the flag still waves, perhaps you will be inclined to answer with resounding glee, “You bet it does!”

True Confessions of a Marketing Manager

As the Marketing Manager, I am charged with the task of coming up with creative, innovative and unique ideas that will make you, the consumer, want to buy our products. Is it working?

This recession is making it difficult for all companies. We are all hungry for sales and vying for your attention. While things have perked up in recent weeks, industry experts tell us we will see dramatic ups and downs in the months to come. Pardon me while I wince and sigh. I don't know about you, but I am growing tired - physically and emotionally tired - of this (uh-hmm) economy. So, in my capacity as Marketing Manager of Grace Engineered Products, I have just one thing to ask: Will you just buy our products already?!

I know this direct and somewhat temper-tantrum-ish plea may cause some to think me unprofessional. To tell the truth, I am not really the "professional" type. Much of the time that is unnecessary pretense aimed at making others think we are better and more equipped than we actually are (you don’t know anyone like that, do you?). It's a lot of PR, people. I prefer to operate in an authentic reality. I'm not into smoke and mirrors. So, my reality consists, in part, of these three things: our products are great, they are what people need, and they save you money. Seriously.

So, I implore you. Please take a serious look at our products. You can find them on our website at www.graceport.com. In the mean time, I vow to hold up my end of the bargain. I will continue to come up with funny, thought-provoking and interesting marketing campaigns that will woo you. All I ask is you do me one favor. Just buy our products already! =)

Application Stories, Please

Did you know we are always looking for application stories? If you use our products...send me some pictures and tell me how you use the product. If I use your story, I will send you a Visa Gift Card for $100! Contact me at brandib@grace-eng.com!

Computer Problems

Grrr..computer problems. Is there a soul on earth who has a PC and not had a computer problem? I’d wager a week’s worth of recession-tainted pay that answer is no. Any takers?

This week, all of last week, and much of the week before I have been struggling with - you guessed it - computer problems. It seems I wandered onto some inconspicuous website and unsuspectingly picked up spy ware that has wreaked havoc with my operating system. Graphics I’ve been working on have vanished and my epileptic computer can’t stop seizing long enough to do much more than send an email. There have been at least two times I have been reduced to tears because of this virus-infested contraption with a keyboard. Enough is enough. Because of my technological turmoil these past few weeks, like any other jilted woman, I have decided to cut from me that which fuels my fury – at least for the time being.

Here are a few fun ways you can ‘unplug’ too:

Read a book - not a Blog.
Play a game. A real one with pieces.
Play solitaire without a mouse.
Stand in line instead getting online.
Meet people... in real life.
Chat with your mouth and not your fingers.

Have fun!