Just left Las Vegas for the second time in a month. Yay. First Surfaces, then Abbey. With this column due before end of day and my brain fried, I figured I would just reveal some of the thoughts that are circulating and percolating between my ears.
First and foremost, when the dust clears, I believe we’ll look back on 2024 and come to the conclusion this was not such a bad year. Second half better than the first, housing and relocation picking up. And for the record, no one I’ve spoken with has classified the first two months of the year as awful… I think Abbey is doing a nice job generating traffic for its members. The big difference between them and others is they don’t mandate anything… The Keith Campbell retirement dinner in Atlanta a few weeks back was as classy an event as you’ll attend. It was the perfect send-off for a man who dedicated his life to making his company and the industry better… If you ever get the chance to see Adele in concert, I’ll just say it lives up to the hype.
The FCNews videos we conducted at Surfaces have exceeded all expectations. Some videos have more than 15,000 views. Those conducted by others don’t even have 500. You get what you pay for in this world. Don’t expect Nobu-level food at Panda Express… I can’t believe it’s February and I already am subjected to Election Day commercials. I think I will watch much less TV this year… I keep thinking about Broadlume’s speakers at Floorcon. The lineup rivals any industry event. Brian Elias. Jason Goldberg. More… Anyone ever go to Turkey and get hair? Asking for a friend.
Back in the ’90s, people were saying vinyl was dead. In the early 2010s, people were predicting laminate would be strictly relegated to home centers. Today they are the industry’s two hottest categories. What goes around comes around. So when does carpet see its resurgence?… Soon you will be hearing all the details for the every-three-year FCIF gala in New York. It will be one hell of an event and supports a good cause. Get your tickets when they become available. Well worth your time and money… I have a question: Why are some politicians proposing to give money to migrants rather than our own homeless population? Isn’t a better solution to expedite their ability to work, make contributions to society and pay taxes?… The world would be better if everyone had one club soda or water in between cocktails. At least I would be.
Got the opportunity to tour the Engineered Floors’ digital printing/digital embossing plant. What they did with solution-dyed polyester is being repeat-ed on the hard surface side with digital printing. The epitome of disruption… Given the choice, would you rather spend 24 consecutive hours in a room with a senile person or a narcissist? And you’re not allowed to sleep. Just asking… The more I witness Roomvo’s technology, the more I think they know what they’re doing. Good people, too… Are the Dodgers first three batters—Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman—the best-ever top of the order?… I am really rooting for Dixie… The Sphere in Vegas may be the ninth Wonder of the World. I didn’t even see U2. But Dead and Company will be a real trip when their residency begins. No pun intended.
Bob Shaw can run circles around any Harvard or Yale-educated person when it comes to intelligence. EF Hutton had nothing on him… When did it become acceptable for NBA coaches to dress in sweat suits. They look like they just came from sixth-period gym class… I like Johnson Hardwood’s wood, laminate and SPC. All those Tavern collections like Ale House. They’re different… I haven’t done it in about five years, but it may be time to resurrect and update the column about the people I despise on airplanes and in airports.
I think Ben Liebert, who replaced Scott Sandlin, will be very good for Shaw and flooring retailers. I just think he is more customer focused… If you spend only one night in your apartment over a two-week period, is it wrong to cancel the cleaning lady?… Please cast your votes in our Award of Excellence con-test… Who is more dangerous: Putin or Kim Jong Un? And speaking of which, I know his sister is considered the world’s most dangerous woman, but isn’t she kind of cute?… I probably need a wing man (not for the sister; just in general). And that’s all for now.
