Preamble

An short ode to guys with the b—s to take it on the chin.

Yesterday I promised a discussion of the Values History of Bullseye and started with mention of some of the old staples: ingenuity, candor, frugality etc. etc. – the diet that many so-called “Americans” were raised on in the ‘50s.

But first, a quick detour North.

Besides questioning our national appropriation of some largely universal human virtues, I had to qualify “American” because – as I am frequently reminded by friends in Canada – this continent is bigger than the inhabitants of Bushland.

In the blogosphere you’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable embodiment of these supposedly Yankee virtues than a glass shop owner in Toronto.

When so many tip-toe around uncomfortable business issues, Mikey says what he thinks:

“Today’s Economic Lesson…”

When it comes to ingenuity – mixed with comedy – this one is hard to beat:

“Adventures of Figidomo…” (Although I suspect that this one was authored by some of his like-mindedly warped staff)

As for constancy, persistence, and hard work, well, anyone who posts 225 blogs in one year (2007) is working lots more than a 40-hour week – and giving back to his customers much more than a ho-hum, pre-packaged Big Box pile of goods.

OK, before someone thinks I’m in love with a Demented Stained Glass Store Owner in Canada, I’ve never met the guy. I just appreciate his approach and his unrelenting willingness to say what he thinks. It reminds me of another era – and a whole lot of values that we’d do well to remember are universal. And nice to find alive and well today.

(And if you subscribe to his blog, you’ll be wonderfully entertained while I try to figure out what to write in the next chapter of mine.)