What's The Diff?

The things Quicken Loans team members care about and want to share with the world

Being Tactful Despite a Setback or “Relax You Idiot – Don’t Be That Guy!”

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Be Nice to the WaitressBy Cassie Bixler – winner of the 2007 Summer DIFF Intern Blogger Contest

Traveling…if you ever want to develop your patience level, start traveling a lot and on a time schedule.  From the coordination of the event, travel time, to your arrival, several things can occur that irritate you beyond measure. You try to ensure your plans are good to go, foolproof. Regardless, there always seems to be a set back.

Airport security, road construction, reservation screw-ups, and sometimes it is a combination of all the above. The challenge lies in determining how you face the set backs. I have learned that in a trying situation, whatever it may be, the general secret is just chill out.

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The Detroit Gas Fairy Coughs Up a Fin

Monday, July 30, 2007

By Rebecca Carter

On my way to work at my new job, I realized I was very low on gas. Normally, I would’ve had enough to make it in. But this particular morning I was going to a distant suburb of Detroit for a special training session — probably an hour-and-a-half from my house — and the needle was moving dangerously close to empty. I still had another half hour to go. I wasn’t going to have enough fuel to make it all the way.

At this point I was in unfamiliar territory, in Detroit proper (I’m not from Michigan). Stopping at the next exit, I pulled into the only gas station in sight, and fished in my backpack for my wallet. Panic rose into my chest as I realized I didn’t have my wallet OR my cell phone! I remembered too late: the evening before I had gone to a movie with a friend and had taken my wallet and cell phone from my “work bag” to switch to a more casual purse.

Great. On empty, No wallet. No cell phone. In a city where I knew no one.

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Chicago in the Summer or Why I Think We Should Repeal the Michigan Helmet Law

Friday, July 27, 2007

edsmotorcycle

By Ed Moffett

Chicago in the Summer — there’s nothing better. Bars are open ‘til 4am and everyone’s extra friendly…especially around 4am… ahem.  I lived there for a few years in my early 20s and except for my hatred for the winter, I had few complaints, but there were the typical big-city inconveniences.

Like most major cities, the price of parking in the windy one is outrageous. Fortunately, there’s no need to own a car in Chicago, as there’s a more than adequate public transit system consisting of busses and an “El” (as in “elevated” train) that can take you across town at even the oddest hour.

Still, having your own wheels is a luxury I could never live without, so in the summer of 1996, I bought my first motorcycle – an $800 Honda Shadow 500. Yeah, I know… If you ride, you’re thinking, “girl’s bike.” Well, so what! I didn’t know how to ride, so I wasn’t about to get on a 1000CC crotch-rocket, hit the highway and try to beat a four second 0 – 60. 

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Kalahari Resort Waters Down a Waterpark Cynic

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Kalahari Water ParkBy Meghan Busch

“I want to go back to Kalahari.” That’s the last thing our five-year-old, Hayley, said last night before her head hit her little Disney Princess pillow, and I couldn’t help but share her sentiment. “Kalahari”.  A name with more syllables than any toddler can typically annunciate, and yet she managed to scream it, sing it, and sputter it as she drifted off in her car seat on our drive home from the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio yesterday.

We don’t go on vacation often. When we do, it’s to grandma’s house up north. So you can imagine our expectations when splurge a whopping $200 for a one night’s stay in a “waterpark resort” in Sandusky. For $200, I want something pretty freaking fantastic.

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The Starbucks Phenomenon or Why I Can’t Live Without My Iced Grande Sugar Free Nonfat Vanilla Latte

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

By Cassie Bixler – winner of the 2007 Summer DIFF Intern Blogger Contest

It’s 7 a.m., my alarm goes off, and curses spew from my mouth.  I slam down the snooze button, once, twice, three times.  Struggling to open my eyes, I look in disbelief at my alarm clock that now says its 8 a.m.; more curses fly.  I jump up and proceed to run around like a maniac, trying to get around for the day. 

The only thing on my mind from the time the alarm goes off is, “I need COFFEE!” 

I truly believe that I cannot function without it.  Now, not just any coffee will do, oh no, it has to be branded.

It has to be Starbucks.

Continue reading “The Starbucks Phenomenon or Why I Can’t Live Without My Iced Grande Sugar Free Nonfat Vanilla Latte” »

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Focus: HOPE – Rising From the Ashes of the Detroit Riots

Monday, July 23, 2007

Focus: Hope Rises From the Ashes of the Detroit RiotsForty years ago today, Detroit blew up. Literally.  It was as if a bomb of hostility, frustration, anger and disregard for life and property was dropped on the city, causing what was at that time, the most destructive riot in U.S. history.  It wasn’t until 1992 that Los Angeles took that notoriety from Detroit. 

When it was over five days later, 43 people were dead, hundreds more injured and big chunks of the city had lost most of its businesses and buildings to looting and fires.  Those were bad times for Detroit and two people decided to do something about it.

The late Fr. William Cunningham, a young catholic priest from Detroit, and Eleanor Josaitis led a small group of individuals and companies to form a new organization that they hoped would help people cope and overcome the core issues that lead to the riots.

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38 Years Ago Today, They Walked on the Moon

Friday, July 20, 2007

Neil Armstrong - The Man on the MoonYup, that’s right.  On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 arrived at the moon and made history.  I think that qualifies as a DIFF post.

It was 38 years ago today that Astronaut Neil. A. Armstrong (that’s him on the right) became the first human to step foot on the Moon.  He took the "giant leap for mankind," and the world has never been the same.  He and Apollo 11 crew mate Buzz Aldrin spent 2.5 hours walking (or more aptly bouncing) around the moon surface while the world sat in amazement watching images of this historic triumph on their TVs.

It was a glorious time for the U.S. and it fulfilled John F. Kennedy’s promise to reach the moon in 10 years.

The DIFF salutes Neil Armstrong, the crew of Apollo 11, and NASA for this great achievement.  In fact, we salute all people who think big and follow through.  That to us is the DIFF!

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How Many Cars Has this Site Sold for GM?

Thursday, July 19, 2007

How Many Cars Has This Site Sold for GM?The answer? No clue. So, if you’re wondering what web site I’m talking about, take a look at www.gmability.com/education. GM-what? GMability. As in, General Motors, ability, is able, can-do. Yeah, it’s a stretch for a name, which could be part of the reason why this site isn’t known by more people.

GMability is a "thing" that’s focused on the environment, advanced technology, community involvement, and (what?) education. The bulk of the site is GM, trying to shout over the din of anti-automotive/anti-manufacturing voices on lots of public policy stuff. Then, nestled right in there is this really cool web site where kids can learn about the science behind greenhouse gases, fuel cell technology, satellites and even how cars are designed in a digital world.

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The Loaners Rock Nashville

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Editor’s Note: All of Angry Ed’s words are Angry Ed’s. So, if any of this stuff makes you mad, please post your comments to Angry Ed. But, if they make you happy (and we think The Loaners will make you happy), by all means post any comments of admiration and support (for The Loaners, probably not Angry Ed) you like. The rest of us here at The DIFF are wincing just a bit as we read this post.

By Angry Ed

I’m not a big fan of cover bands; they serve their purpose at bars and weddings, but then so do jukeboxes and DJ’s, which are cheaper, and less likely to screw it up. As a songwriter, I prefer original music. As a narcissist, I’m very quick to judge, harshly critique and in some cases, laugh out loud at what I think is poorly performed original music, so enduring cover songs of the same quality would normally be torture. In fact, prior to July 14, 2007, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to describe listening to live cover music in a parking lot on a 90 degree day as my Chinese hell, but I have been transformed!

The Loaners at Gibson Summer Jam

Quicken Loans’ "The Loaners," who incidentally are quite a bit more than a cover band, having a repertoire of their own original songs, performed again this year at the Gibson Summer Jam, in Nashville where they for lack of a better term, TOTALLY KICKED ASS!!! They were The DIFF between bands that rehearse, perfect, perform and impress, and well… those that suck. Actually, that may be a bit harsh. The competition didn’t "suck," but their performances hovered right around average and were obviously amateur in comparison to the Loaners’ impressive display.

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Change the World, Change Yourself.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

By Cassie BixlerSan Pedro, Belize Beaches

A vacation is an exemption from life for a while.  It is the most sought-after, looked-forward-to time.  You save, plan, and await the date.  Destinations are endless; however, time is limited.  A vacation is your hard earned time off from the real world and you want to make the most out of it.

I spent my last spring break in San Pedro, Belize.  San Pedro is absolutely beautiful.  It is paradise on Earth, an exotic island location complete with white sand, clear blue water, and any luxury imaginable — island spas, snorkeling, sailing, day trips to the Mayan Ruins, Sun Set Cruises, the works!

But this trip was organized by Ambassadors for Children. 

Continue reading “Change the World, Change Yourself.” »

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Thursday, May 17, 2012