The story of my handling/mishandling of client "Charlie" last month has come in for a pile of good advice (Thanks Ted) and much good natured ribbing here in the office. Most of the comments came down to smacking the guy with a baseball bat or counting to ten, having a smoke, a cup of coffee – then going out to deal with him. After many years in the biz you tend to run on autopilot then you run up against a unique case like "Charlie", but it is all a learning experience. Gee I wonder if they'll be offering a course at Vision Expo in "Conflict Resolution"!

And concerning Vision Expo – are you attending? With the deepening economic concerns in the US, I suspect a lot of you are thinking about economizing and staying home – Just remember we are still the number one market for eyewear in the world (about 17 Billion dollars last year), and who knows, great buying deals may be offered. Look for smaller minimums, longer payment terms, more US sourced frames as the dollar weakens against the euro and yen. Great deals on hotels through the Vision Expo web site - $100.00 To 200.00 per day less than regular room prices) and who can pass up New York especially in April? (Not to mention the psychological boost it gives you!)

"I'm from the government and I'm here to help ." Chilling words (especially after Katrina – Helluva job Brownie!)

Now we hear them again in regards to the FDA impact resistance proposal. Harry Chilinguerian talked about it in this magazine at length last month. Suffice it to say I'm against it. Imagine drop balling a 1.74 AR coated lens you've just edged, I think the following conversation might take place,"No ma'am, that isn't a scratch, that is a safety mark in the center of the lens!"