Archive for the Thought for the Weekend Category

How to Be an Agent of Awesomeness

On August 7, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

Last week, the Lamborghini Batman reminded us how important real-life superheroes are. There are all sorts of superheroes out there in the world doing good, but only some of them wear brightly-colored spandex biking shorts. Meet cyclist and extended Matchmaker family member, Facility Manager “Cap’n’ Pete Staylor”. Some of you might remember Pete – we’ve introduced him once before in a Thought for the Weekend. Pete has taken his love of cycling and done something amazing with it, turning his stamina and speed on the bike into money raised for great causes. Pete’s dealt

Batman’s Source of Transportation

On July 31, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

There’s something about the look that’s key when it comes to being a superhero. Diving off rooftops and chasing down bad guys in your plainclothes is likely to raise eyebrows and alarm, but there’s something about a superhero costume that inspires respect. We can’t get enough of superhero style at the Matchmaker HQ lately, so we got artist Ramie Buena – whose work you may recognize from the Matchmaker Logistics comic book – to draw us some super suits of our very own (that’s mine on the right!). We’ll be using these avatars as

Chuck Norris Vs. Van Damme on a Truck

On July 24, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

Tomorrow is July 25th, or Christmas in July, but instead of thinking about Santa Claus and Rudolph, I’ve got sleek trucks, crazy stunts, and the coolest action heroes of all time on the brain. Do you remember the epic feat Jean-Claude Van Damme pulled off in that infamous Volvo truck commercial two years ago? The on where he did the splits between two moving trucks? It was a legendary move from The Muscles from Brussels. First of all, how many professional stuntmen are still getting work at his age – 53! We looked into

The Softer Side of Truckers

On July 17, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

Although the “Superheroes of Shipping” theme on our new website features an image of me wearing tights, it would take a lot to get me in such a get-up in real life. In fact, up until just a few years ago, I’d never even worn a pink shirt! While walking down the aisles of a local superstore recently, I noticed how gender stereotypes start early and get continuously reinforced. The toy aisles were marked “Girls” and “Boys”. The girls’ aisle was a sea of placid pink featuring dolls, dress-up clothes, purses, Barbies and ponies.

What’s That Thing Flying Through Space?

On July 10, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s…Our New Website! While everyone was distracted by the fireworks over the Fourth, we slipped into a nearby phone booth and changed into our superhero alter egos. We’d like you to meet the Matchmaker Superheroes of Shipping on our new website! Since we take on each job as though it were as important as saving the world, we’re proud to let our capes fly. Each member of the Matchmaker team has been excitedly on board – we’ve got new bios revealing our superpowers, re-tooled informational videos, and more

American Coincidence or Divine Seal of Approval?

On July 1, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

Was it mere coincidence or was there a larger force at work? Decided for yourself if this July 4th story is a divine (or cosmic) nod to the founders of our great nation: On July 4th, 1776, fifty-six men signed their names to a document that would change the world. From elementary school on, Americans learn that ‘freedom of speech’ and the ability to petition are our constitutional rights, so it’s difficult to truly comprehend the bravery of that act. For those men, signing their names to such a document meant taking a terrifying

Land Vs. Sea; Mouse Vs. Mouse

On June 26, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

A couple of weeks ago, I took my family on a Disney vacation, and as you may remember, I had my doubts. We visited the theme park and then embarked on a cruise (a first for all of us). Both seemed to have their fair share of built-in worries, from hidden costs to little souvenirs, but it turns out I had less to worry about on the cruise than I did at the theme park. Here’s my analysis of Mouse Vs. Mouse: FOOD – Winner: Disney Cruise! At the parks, one of the best

Kids Weigh in on Dads

On June 19, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

This year, I’ve already received an early Father’s Day gift from my daughters: I got to see myself through their eyes. In fact, these portraits represent me. As a treat for fathers everywhere, we were inspired to create a questionnaire for kids entitled: “Matchmaker Logistics Fun Facts About Dad”. You can download it here and have the children in your life fill it out. My kids, Emily (age 11) and Chloe (age 6), were the first to try out our questionnaire. Here’s how they perceive a day in the life of their dad: Both

Avoiding Disney Magic

On June 12, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

As you read this, I’m en route to Florida for a vacation with my family. I’m taking my wife and my two daughters on a Disney Cruise. My girls are both the perfect ages to appreciate Disney Magic, and based on the stellar reviews I’ve heard from anyone who has ever been on one, I’ve been really looking forward to the cruise. I started to have my doubts, though, when I Googled “Disney Cruise for Dads”. Even the most positive articles and blog posts like “4 Ways for Dads to Get the Most of

Old-School Presidential Humor

On June 5, 2015 / Thought for the Weekend

Recently, I received a surprise in the mail, a plaque from the TIA honoring Matchmaker Logistics for 35 years of membership. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise – I know my family started Matchmaker 35 years ago – I was there! As I set the plaque on my desk, next to my cell phone, my keyboard, and my many computer monitors, I thought back to the early days when we conducted business old-school – with just a land line and a fax line. In fact, the first fax machines and the first camcorders