Whisper it, but the first “real” CS:GO event of 2022 is already jam-packed with storylines, even in what is essentially a meaningless group stage played out for the seeding. With all but one of the teams heading into it with a changed-up roster, there’s plenty to figure out among the cavalcade of best-of-ones.
The last three decades have witnessed a prominent change in the field of technological evolution. The evolution was not only in the digital field but it proved to be a great transitory period in the life of human history. “AI has revolutionized the industrial structure to its very core. Digital transformation has become a crucial […]
Just like all the fine things in life: wine, cigars, and diamonds: cannabis can also be measured in terms of quality. The sight, touch, taste, size, aroma, and sensation of a marijuana bud is all determined by the cleanliness of the air in which the plant grew, the composition of the soil, and the temperature shifts that it endured.
Knowing Quality Bud from Shwag
It's important to know the good quality stuff from the shwag. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply a novice; knowing how to assess the quality of a cannabis bud is necessary to have the best experience. If you want to know the telltale signs of top-shelf bud then read on.
Visually Inspect the Bud
Sometimes the only way to get an idea of the quality of a bud is by the way it looks. It is important to know the clues that will tell you how awesome the weed you're assessing is. One of the best visual ways to assess cannabis is by the trichome content. If the bud has loads of trichomes then you are sure to get a good buzz. Trichomes are the small crystal-looking resin glands that make the bud look frosty. These trichomes contain cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
Another visual way to assess a cannabis bud is by its color. Healthy buds are usually nice and green, purple, or may even look orange depending on the pistils on the bud and the strain. When you smoke the bud, the ashes should burn white-grey ash.
Look For a Tight Trim
The trim of the flower should be done well. Look for a tight trim; extra leaf matter should have been removed so that the bud is fully revealed. Excess stems should also be removed and the only part of the stem that should be left is at the base of the flower where it was cut from the plant. Over-trimmed flowers should be avoided as this usually results in a lower trichome content.
How to Spot Mildew or Mold
When assessing a bud be sure to check for red flags. Powdery mildew can look like trichomes if you don't look closely. A bud should glisten in the light, but if it has mildew on it will not. If you see something like baby powder on it or a cottony appearance it's probably powdery mildew.
Another red flag and type of mold is botrytis (also known as bud rot). This mold is more difficult to see as it is inside the flower. It may not be until after you purchase the bud, go home, and start breaking it up that you notice that the bud has brown or grey mold inside. You mustn't smoke it.
Gently Squeeze the Bud
Touching the bud is another good way to assess its quality. When you gently squeeze the bud, it should bounce back to its original form. Squeezing the bud can also tell you if it has properly been cured. It should have a bit of a stickiness to it, but if it hasn't been cured correctly then it will feel too wet. The stem is another indicator of how well the bud has been cured. A properly cured stem will have a definite snap when you bend it.
Smell the Bud for Quality
One of my favorite ways to check the quality of a bud is by smelling it. It's an instinctive thing we all seem to do when you open a new bag of buds: you hold it up to your nose and inhale the sweet aroma. This can also tell you if a bud has mold on it, or if it smells wet then it hasn't been cured properly. Good quality marijuana will often smell skunky, pine, fruity, cheese, or earthy.
Taste the Bud
Lastly, you can taste if a bud is of high quality. Oftentimes, the aroma of bud will match the flavor. Just like a good liquor, the taste should be smooth. When you inhale the smoke, it shouldn't burn your throat; neither should it leave a harsh taste in the back of your throat.
In Conclusion
After reading this article you can easily be on your way to becoming a cannabis connoisseur. Next time you find yourself buying marijuana don't just settle for anything. Take the time to study the bud instead of choosing one based on whatever name sounds good to you. You will be impressed by the difference that quality bud makes.
I want to share a very personal story with you today. It’s not one I tell often. Partly out of embarrassment, and partly because it’s kind of painful to…
In November of 2019 I wrote an article entitled "What Do FOMO and LinkedIn Have To Do With Supply Chain". FOMO is short for "Fear of Missing Out" and the general thesis of my article was if you become consumed with chasing every rabbit down every rabbit hole for "fear of missing out" then you will likely not get much done.
The same can be true about LinkedIn. I wrote this in 2019 and I submit it has become 100x worse than when I wrote this article.
And yes, we can somewhat blame the pandemic for this phenomenon in supply chain. Ever since everyone has been home there has been an explosion of podcasts and home grown "T.V." shows discussing supply chains. Some of them are hosted by people who have worked for a very short time, if at all, as a practitioner of supply chains.
The "free money" aspect of the pandemic has also driven an explosion in supply chain / logistics technology. Again, some have driven huge value but by far the vast majority have not. They have just been the recipients of a lot of money sloshing around in the economy looking for a place to land.
Practitioners have some culpability in this as well. Many have scrambled to do something - anything to show their leadership they are trying everything to overcome the effects of disruption. So, what do they do? They layer technology on top of technology and it still does not get them very far. This is FOMO. This is "I am going to try anything and everything because I am afraid I am going to miss out on the latest greatest thing". Here are my simple few suggestions for the practitioner to avoid this trap:
Do the detailed work BEFORE you talk to a technology company: This means you have to process map out how your business operates. You need to identify the key metrics you are using and you have to identify what success looks like. Use the Amazon methodology which is just what Covey taught us when he said, "Begin With The End in Mind". Write the press release you will release 4 years from now. What will you have accomplished.
Operate Manually First if at All Possible: This will allow you to be incredibly flexible as you "test and learn" all different ways of getting things accomplished.
Write the spec! This is not necessarily hard work but some may find it tedious. This is the work where you get as specific as possible on what you really need and what will really add value to your organization. The more detailed this is written the more likely it is you will not get enamored by "shiny spinning plates" but rather will identify and get what you really need.
Then and only then do you start inviting in technology providers and identify which is best to fill the gaps you identified by going through the 4 step process above.
I am not saying not to "shop around and learn" but look at those interactions as learning - nothing more and nothing less. Realize that as soon as you step into the bazaar that is a trade show, full of technology shiny toys, you are at high risk of FOMO kicking in and you being distracted by things that you do not need. Much like going into a high tech electronics store and walking out with $1,000 of technology that you now "absolutely have to have" but 1 day ago you had no idea you "needed", you run the risk of doing the same for your company. Except in this case, it could cost millions.
When you feel you are starting to get caught up in the FOMO mania, I suggest activating the "breathe app" on your Apple Watch and, just breathe.
Penske Logistics professional truck driver PJ Singh was named a member of the prestigious 2022-2023 American Trucking Associations (ATA) America’s Road Team. Singh is the fourth ATA Road Team Captain in the company’s history. Based in Stockton, California, he services regional food and beverage accounts.
“I feel fantastic, and this is a very big achievement for me,” Singh stated, when reached by cell phone on Wednesday morning. “The selection process was very tough.”
That process has taken him to both Virginia and Washington, D.C. The group visited the White House on Sunday. Singh and the other new team members participated in an induction ceremony this morning. Later today, there is a photo shoot, training and a jacket ceremony. Tomorrow, they will be in Capitol Hill.
For the next two years, Singh and the 21 other drivers will represent their organizations by attending industry events, speaking at schools, and meeting policymakers, while maintaining full-time status with their respective companies.
Penske Logistics professional truck driver PJ Singh was named a member of the 2022-2023 American Trucking Associations America's Road Team. Image courtesy of ATA
The drivers were judged on their ability to express their knowledge of the industry, their skills in effective communication about safety and transportation, and their overall safe-driving record. The panel of judges included trucking executives and trade press.
This year’s class includes drivers from 13 companies, 17 states and drivers with more than 564 years of experience and 45,774,455 miles of accident-free driving, according to the ATA.
Singh himself has accumulated more than 1.5 million accident-free miles across nearly 21 years of being on the road as a driver. One key piece of advice that he has for his fellow drivers: Take your time and always be aware of your surroundings. He is a Smith System trainer for Penske.
“These Captains have dedicated their lives to spreading the message of safe driving,” said Elisabeth Barna, ATA executive vice president of industry affairs. “They are leaders in their communities, role models in their companies, and are dedicated to and passionate about the industry.”
During his time as a Road Team Captain, Singh has a few goals. He will advocate for tougher standards to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL), more training for professional truck drivers, and for scholastic schools to place a stronger emphasis on truck driving as a career, and for it to gain more visibility alongside other vocational careers.
Jeff Jackson, Penske Logistics executive vice president dedicated contract carriage: “A hearty congratulations to PJ for becoming our next ATA Road Team Captain. I am proud of him, and I know he will represent Penske Logistics well during his tenure.”