Well, looks like I don't have to reach back into the archives for my Sgt. CB story as he seems willing and able to provide anecdotes for me without even trying hard.

As I mentioned yesterday, he had to start wearing his uniform to work again. It has been a long time since he's worn a uniform so he hasn't gotten any new ones recently. I got a call around 4:45 as I'm finishing up at work (AKA reading the CH). (Note: Here in western Mass we don't have the thick New England accents like Boston, Whustah, Maine or RI. We do, however, drop all of our Gs at the end of words.)

Him: Feel like sewin' Me (to myself): He comes up with some of the dumbest euphemisms for sex Me (out loud): Why? Him: I kind of ripped my uniform pants. Me: That didn't take long? Chasin' people over fences again? You are the boss, send some young guy who can actually make it over. Him: No, I got into a low car and the back seam ripped. It's right on the seam, it should be easy.

Now these pants are very thick and it takes a needle the size of Clay's… I mean a big needle to get through these. I suggest his Mom and her sewing machine. He called her and called me back and asked if I could meet him by my office before I go home and drop it off to her. (He still had 4 hours to go on this shift.)

I prepare to meet him outside my office. This took three calls to coordinate because he got his streets messed up. Note to anyone who lives near where I work-don't call 911. He won't find you. Unless you die and then he's good at that.

He walks up to me with a big grin on his face and hands them to me. I get in the car and and open these pants. They are literally ripped from back waistband to the front part of his crotch by the zipper. I could stick my head through his pants (without having to breathe through my nose). He told me "they shrunk". Well, I can't rank on him for that as I use that excuse all the time! Anyway, MIL to the rescue and they are all set now.

Today's marketing term for the day is The 4 Ps.

These are the terms that are the cornerstone for marketing. They are Product (or service), Price, Place (of distribution) and Promotion. All marketing plans must consider these 4 elements. We've actually been having a great discussion on the possibilities for Clay's album promotion of the new CD in the OFC message board marketing thread.

Now some schools of thought have added a 5th P and others just lump this P into Promotion. The name of the 5th P is PACKAGE.

I know you are all familiar with that term…..

Package and packing is very important. It could mean an actual package and describe the container that is holding the product. (We call those PANTS!). Or it could describe how to group a common set of products/services together.

Clay's package has gotten a lot of discussion lately. Many are waiting for that plastic white envelope. Others like me have gotten it and weeped a little as I still don't have anything signed by Clay. Yeah, well buddy –maybe I will forget to send out those 2000 press releases describing your CD release parties. Pfffft to you….Sigh, who am I kidding...

There is a term that goes along with package and that is flagging. Flagging your package is when you use special graphic techniques on the product package to call attention to a particular offer such as bonus pack.

I think there is an entire photo album on that one. Those special graphics include arrows and such.

I need to do further research comparing flagging your package and tossing the wacky.

16 days until Moheeeeegan Sun!