Yes, today is my Birthday!

Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Some of my favorite actors share this birthday, like The Cosby Show actress Keshia Knight Pulliam (1979) and, of course, "Sex and the City" actress Cynthia Nixon (1966).

Then there is my all-time favorite (and Fellow University of Illinois alumnus) Playboy creator/editor Hugh Hefner (1926).

I don't know what Jean has planned. She usually likes to take me out for a nice lunch. Then, spend a quiet evening at home with one of her own gourmet dinners. Don't ask how it is possible to maintain a sensible weight in this house!

Regular readers of mine know that I am a relationship marketing nut. In fact, one section of my review process asks CRM developers to show me where they capture birth date details and how they actually make it easier for busy sales folks to perform the simple act of sending out a birthday greeting. I am sorry to report that the typical reply is, "You could do that with one of the user defined fields." How long have I been doing this now? Most of these pin-heads are still developing CRM solutions that hit all of the IT guys technical hot buttons but don't do a damn thing to help sales people take better care of their customers and Sell More Now! And, they continue to whine about the low adoption rates for their wonderful products!

Which brings me back to the original reason I am writing this post. I want to say thank you to the dozens of you out there who took a moment from your own busy schedules to throw some relationship marketing back at me with your heartfelt birthday wishes for me. Better yet, so far I have received a large bottle of Merlot, 3 bottles of Scotch and 4 boxes of cigars. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And the UPS man hasn't even made his delivery yet!

Before I close, I do have to say one more thing though. The phrase "old fart" was used entirely too many times today!

Thanks again everyone,

Rich