Does it count as sufficiently low when you oversleep a meeting with an assistant vice president? Thought so. Mental note for next career: no eight o' clock appointments.
I'm on a bit of a slide in diet, downing more sodas and chocolate than I have in many weeks. Also, I've been showing less commitment to the notebook that's helped organize me so well this year. It's going to be helpful to get back on track in all respects, because carelessness at the root can kill the productive tree after a while.
It was a good week overall. There were at least two times where I was able to provide career counseling for people. It was heartening to hear one of them describe me as a good listener, since the struggle against selfishness is one of my toughest. Better yet, the compliment came from a person who is actually my own role model for being genuinely interested in other people.
Missed meeting aside, it was a busy but effective week at the office. All hands were on deck for the last stages of launching a new product for customers. While Jennifer was captaining admirably, Rob and Betty were off making major contributions to separate projects of their own.
We were able to get out on a date with long-time pals the Hosses in the quiet confines of Marriott Hotel's Jesse's Grille. It turned into one of those dinners where the meal lasts an hour but the conversation flows bountifully for three without even realizing it. In my book those kinds of friends are golden.
Capping off the week with a date to see the Red movie was our first since I got back from New York.
Basketball is just over a week away, and I just got signed up for a soccer team to help stay in shape. Plus, I sent the last of my treasurer's reports to the condo board this week, officially beginning my freedom in that respect.
The fantasy football team's been on a short winning streak, and my fantasy basketball team was successfully drafted and is off to a solid third-place start.
We're less than ten weeks from 2011, and a couple of the 2010 new year's resolutions are still dangling. Let's see what kind of progress can be made this week!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Red
We picked this movie from a choice of Secretariat, Saw 3D, and Hereafter. Good call!
Bruce Willis plays a retired CIA agent mysteriously under attack. By his own CIA. Why? It's not clear until right near the end. Meanwhile, the "old man still got it" routine is played light-heartedly from start to finish. Willis' character squares off against a young talented CIA agent contracted to kill him as part of an "off the books" project. Willis reaches out to the Russian embassy for help, reconnecting with a Cold War era nemesis-turned-friend. 80-year-old Morgan Freeman's character unfortunately doesn't survive the movie, but does play an endearing part and makes a significant contribution. Add the wacky paranoid rantings of veteran John Malkovich, plus an old flame with a penchant for king-size guns, and an unusual role for Richard Dreyfus. It mixes nicely into an "action comedy," eliciting a good chuckle every five minutes or so, providing a couple of genuine stomach-tensing moments, and ultimately flowering new romance for several main characters. So perhaps "action romantic comedy" is the right term!
Bruce Willis plays a retired CIA agent mysteriously under attack. By his own CIA. Why? It's not clear until right near the end. Meanwhile, the "old man still got it" routine is played light-heartedly from start to finish. Willis' character squares off against a young talented CIA agent contracted to kill him as part of an "off the books" project. Willis reaches out to the Russian embassy for help, reconnecting with a Cold War era nemesis-turned-friend. 80-year-old Morgan Freeman's character unfortunately doesn't survive the movie, but does play an endearing part and makes a significant contribution. Add the wacky paranoid rantings of veteran John Malkovich, plus an old flame with a penchant for king-size guns, and an unusual role for Richard Dreyfus. It mixes nicely into an "action comedy," eliciting a good chuckle every five minutes or so, providing a couple of genuine stomach-tensing moments, and ultimately flowering new romance for several main characters. So perhaps "action romantic comedy" is the right term!
Shop Talk
Being ahead of the game is a great feeling. So why not ponder the Christmas list a bit?
First, the old standbys: Gift certificates to Kohl's or Avanti's. Subscription to Sports Illustrated or Investor's Business Daily.
Any book (250 pages or less) on: The Beatles, Abraham Lincoln, or the Chicago Cubs.
Three-ring binders, about two inches thick for holding regular 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheets of paper. Pilot Precise Gel 07 black ink pens.
New Balance black running shoes, model 473, size 10.5. Over-the-calf black soccer socks.
Eventually I'll have to divvy this up into a Freidinger family list, a McDonald family list, and a Dena list. This list will grow!
First, the old standbys: Gift certificates to Kohl's or Avanti's. Subscription to Sports Illustrated or Investor's Business Daily.
Any book (250 pages or less) on: The Beatles, Abraham Lincoln, or the Chicago Cubs.
Three-ring binders, about two inches thick for holding regular 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheets of paper. Pilot Precise Gel 07 black ink pens.
New Balance black running shoes, model 473, size 10.5. Over-the-calf black soccer socks.
Eventually I'll have to divvy this up into a Freidinger family list, a McDonald family list, and a Dena list. This list will grow!
Let's Work
This little known Mick Jagger tune takes me back to my teens. The silly characters throughout, and even a decent message in the lyrics.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
High/Low Week 42, 2010
I stalled this post until I could get the planes & trains saga in print, since it made such a nice, obvious low. The travel lessons are clear. There's no point in being sloppy. On the other hand, I knew that everything would be all right.
I could also have mentioned an elbow injury that happened during a touch football game, the end result of diving for a fumble with arm outstretched just before a grown man landed on it full force. Hyperextension, with a side of crunching. Pretty obvious lesson there. The bright side is that it pumped up the "no pain, no gain" reward of gutting out an upper body workout the next day. The chest press machine broke for the fourth time in a year, so by now the backup routine is down pat for easy transition.
The laptop computer's transformed daily living. The hours I used to spend down in the basement are now spent in leather-seated comfort.
Sorry Jack - glad to see a couple of underdogs make it to the World Series. I'm pulling for the Giants out of National League loyalty, but it's going to be satisfying no matter who comes in first.
The condo board requirements are winding down, with the end of an eight-year run signaling a degree of new beginning. Tryouts for NCHS hoops start November 8 to fill the time with a new adventure.
Despite the travel drama, New York was a fascinating place to be. How lucky to be able to see a different part of the world as part of my job!
I could also have mentioned an elbow injury that happened during a touch football game, the end result of diving for a fumble with arm outstretched just before a grown man landed on it full force. Hyperextension, with a side of crunching. Pretty obvious lesson there. The bright side is that it pumped up the "no pain, no gain" reward of gutting out an upper body workout the next day. The chest press machine broke for the fourth time in a year, so by now the backup routine is down pat for easy transition.
The laptop computer's transformed daily living. The hours I used to spend down in the basement are now spent in leather-seated comfort.
Sorry Jack - glad to see a couple of underdogs make it to the World Series. I'm pulling for the Giants out of National League loyalty, but it's going to be satisfying no matter who comes in first.
The condo board requirements are winding down, with the end of an eight-year run signaling a degree of new beginning. Tryouts for NCHS hoops start November 8 to fill the time with a new adventure.
Despite the travel drama, New York was a fascinating place to be. How lucky to be able to see a different part of the world as part of my job!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Planes, Trains And Automobiles? If Only! (The Sequel)
(...continued from yesterday's post)
So I'm standing in JFK airport, having just learned that the last flight to O'Hare airport - that is, between two of the largest international airports in the world - was at 3:45 in the afternoon. It's 4:10. The ticket lady explains my options.
"There's one more flight to Chicago at 7:00... out of LaGuardia airport. There's no connecting flight to Bloomington though, so you'd have to wait until morning there. Or, you can wait here overnight and catch a flight out first thing tomorrow."
Never been on a desert island before. But now I get it. And sitting here on the beach won't do. It now appears that my subway experiment to avoid cab fare has ultimately staged me to catch a cab to LaGuardia. Wherever that is.
"How far is LaGuardia?"
"About 20 minutes. There's a bus downstairs that will take you there for $15." (My first good news of the quest!) "Good luck."
4:20. I emerge from the lower level of the airport in the ground transport area and do a good enough job looking like a tourist that an official-looking guy approaches me. "Bus to LaGuardia," I elaborate. He points me to someone walking about who by my reckoning is a member of the Jamaican national basketball team. With a sing-song voice he hands me a ticket, and walks me directly to a spot on the curb where he claims the bus will arrive.
4:21. A bus! My bus? It pulled up about thirty yards past me. Jamaican LeBron is nowhere to be seen. No reason to lose faith in him yet. Probably not my bus.
4:40. I'd been the first at this curb spot. Now there are about twenty. A bus appears with an insignia that matches LeBron's jacket. Fantastic! I hustle out toward the baggage compartment of the bus as the driver emerges and the crowd surges forward. "LaGuardia," I offer. "This bus no LaGuardia" comes the reply. So back to the curb I trudge like a spurned puppy at a pound.
5:00. My ride appears. My stint of nearly three straight hours of standing comes to an end. How do hookers do this nightly in high heels?
5:30. The Freakonomics book does wonders for dissolving the time. It even negates the dramatic exchange between bus driver and passenger who tried to sneak too many kids onto the bus. Getting lost in reading is a pleasant diversion for a body that's consumed nothing but a salty pretzel at noon and little water since.
6:30. Not much time to take in the scenery around me, but despite the fact that exactly one body-scanning machine was operating, I reach the gate with a few minutes to spare before boarding. I'd had the foresight way back at the spa to give Dena a buzz and let her know that I might get home later than the 8:30 plan. I thought I might have enough time to either charge my phone or find a phone to give her an update, but I have just enough time to grab a bite to eat and spill some overpriced bottled water all over my seat before boarding. Another reason it was a good idea not to dash off for a phone is that technically I was on standby, and I needed to be in the area when they called my name. In a sense, then, I was lucky that the munchies won out, otherwise I may have found myself with plenty of time to take in that LaGuardia scenery after all.
7:00. Homeward bound! We make incredibly good time, covering the distance in twenty minutes less than advertised. Still the flight gives me time to ponder next steps once I reach Illinois soil. Nothing is certain, and all have costs. Stay at a hotel for $200 and catch the morning connecting flight. Catch a cab to Mom's house in the 'burbs, and then back in the morning to catch the flight home... $100? Rent a car and drive home. Amtrak? The option I like best is to catch a Peoria Charter bus for about $35, which I once used to get home from O'Hare years ago. That is, assuming it's still running at 8:30.
8:30. Originally, this is when I'd be sinking into the La-Z-Boy in the living room. As it is, I've covered a half-mile through O'Hare to reach the bus station. Thankfully, there is one more bus leaving tonight. At 10:15. Which will put me home at about 1:00 a.m. at the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University. Time to call Dena with the news that I will, after all, make it home tonight. Oh, and that it would be REALLY great if she could play night owl and pick me up at ISU.
9:00. In case you were wondering, yes there are still public pay phones. Probably more than necessary, in fact. Thus it makes sense to charge $1 for a four-minute call. Turns out that I only need 30 seconds anyway, 'cause Dena's not answering her phone. Since it's relatively important for me to confirm with her that she'll be waiting for me at ISU, I leave all the details on her machine and explain that I'll call back in a half hour.
9:15. More tidbits for the traveler: There's a Hilton hotel attached to O'Hare airport. I wander over to see if there might be wi-fi in the lobby so that I can whittle time away on the computer. The bad news is that my laptop's sufficiently low on power so as not to function. The good news is that a nattily-clothed man hands me a free copy of the Onion newspaper and then begins giving me an infomercial about a local soup kitchen before. I'm overcome by the urge to go hang out back in the terminal, and off I go.
9:30. Success! Dena and I make arrangements to meet at ISU. There's a late night snack shop open. And Larry King is on the T.V. in the waiting station. Two out of three ain't bad.
10:15. The bus rolls up, and six of us roll aboard. I expect that I'll nap most of the way home, but I'm unexplainably jacked up. I engross myself in a book on Abraham Lincoln.
11:30. Hey, why aren't we on I-55? We're past Joliet but on some back road. This is the right bus, isn't it? The weary brain eventually deduces that we started far enough east that we can just shoot down Route 47 instead of the old familiar interstate. Still, it's comforting to know that my capacity for confusion is still high. Plus my imagination for scenarios like subduing the driver and hijacking the bus.
12:55. Right on time, except... why are we headed to the north side of town and not toward the university? We're at... the... airport. Turns out that another passenger on board had requested the special accommodation. Meaning that my own special accommodation, who much prefers the term "Dena," has sacrificed a couple decent hours of shuteye for nothing, and in fact will become quite confused shortly when we don't arrive. I'm facing the choice of staying on the bus, arriving safely with it at ISU a bit late, and causing her to drive us back across town to the airport to get the car. Or I can get off, find my car, and race at breakneck speed across town so that Dena's not mystified when the bus arrives without me. Better go conservative and take the first route. What's an extra half hour of sleep lost at this point? Mental note: Bring a tack to sit on at all work meetings tomorrow... er... later today.
1:00. If only my phone was char... HEY! It's got a sliver of a bar of power! Just enough to call Dena and tell her she can head home. Thanks God...
1:05. The long-lost feel of the trusty Saturn. So good to navigate my own transportation, as fast as the cover of night will let me.
1:30. Hugs, kisses, a cliff notes version of the epic tale, and off to bed, leaving unpacked bags to sleep in the kitchen while I snuggle in the place I oughta be.
The final totals: Eleven hours, five of them unplanned. One plane. One train. One automobile. Two buses. One majorly creeped-out 13 year old. One Freakonomics book. One free Onion. $50 savings by taking a subway instead of a cab. $55 in total bus fare for missing my flight.
But I'm telling you, it was a really good massage...
So I'm standing in JFK airport, having just learned that the last flight to O'Hare airport - that is, between two of the largest international airports in the world - was at 3:45 in the afternoon. It's 4:10. The ticket lady explains my options.
"There's one more flight to Chicago at 7:00... out of LaGuardia airport. There's no connecting flight to Bloomington though, so you'd have to wait until morning there. Or, you can wait here overnight and catch a flight out first thing tomorrow."
Never been on a desert island before. But now I get it. And sitting here on the beach won't do. It now appears that my subway experiment to avoid cab fare has ultimately staged me to catch a cab to LaGuardia. Wherever that is.
"How far is LaGuardia?"
"About 20 minutes. There's a bus downstairs that will take you there for $15." (My first good news of the quest!) "Good luck."
4:20. I emerge from the lower level of the airport in the ground transport area and do a good enough job looking like a tourist that an official-looking guy approaches me. "Bus to LaGuardia," I elaborate. He points me to someone walking about who by my reckoning is a member of the Jamaican national basketball team. With a sing-song voice he hands me a ticket, and walks me directly to a spot on the curb where he claims the bus will arrive.
4:21. A bus! My bus? It pulled up about thirty yards past me. Jamaican LeBron is nowhere to be seen. No reason to lose faith in him yet. Probably not my bus.
4:40. I'd been the first at this curb spot. Now there are about twenty. A bus appears with an insignia that matches LeBron's jacket. Fantastic! I hustle out toward the baggage compartment of the bus as the driver emerges and the crowd surges forward. "LaGuardia," I offer. "This bus no LaGuardia" comes the reply. So back to the curb I trudge like a spurned puppy at a pound.
5:00. My ride appears. My stint of nearly three straight hours of standing comes to an end. How do hookers do this nightly in high heels?
5:30. The Freakonomics book does wonders for dissolving the time. It even negates the dramatic exchange between bus driver and passenger who tried to sneak too many kids onto the bus. Getting lost in reading is a pleasant diversion for a body that's consumed nothing but a salty pretzel at noon and little water since.
6:30. Not much time to take in the scenery around me, but despite the fact that exactly one body-scanning machine was operating, I reach the gate with a few minutes to spare before boarding. I'd had the foresight way back at the spa to give Dena a buzz and let her know that I might get home later than the 8:30 plan. I thought I might have enough time to either charge my phone or find a phone to give her an update, but I have just enough time to grab a bite to eat and spill some overpriced bottled water all over my seat before boarding. Another reason it was a good idea not to dash off for a phone is that technically I was on standby, and I needed to be in the area when they called my name. In a sense, then, I was lucky that the munchies won out, otherwise I may have found myself with plenty of time to take in that LaGuardia scenery after all.
7:00. Homeward bound! We make incredibly good time, covering the distance in twenty minutes less than advertised. Still the flight gives me time to ponder next steps once I reach Illinois soil. Nothing is certain, and all have costs. Stay at a hotel for $200 and catch the morning connecting flight. Catch a cab to Mom's house in the 'burbs, and then back in the morning to catch the flight home... $100? Rent a car and drive home. Amtrak? The option I like best is to catch a Peoria Charter bus for about $35, which I once used to get home from O'Hare years ago. That is, assuming it's still running at 8:30.
8:30. Originally, this is when I'd be sinking into the La-Z-Boy in the living room. As it is, I've covered a half-mile through O'Hare to reach the bus station. Thankfully, there is one more bus leaving tonight. At 10:15. Which will put me home at about 1:00 a.m. at the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University. Time to call Dena with the news that I will, after all, make it home tonight. Oh, and that it would be REALLY great if she could play night owl and pick me up at ISU.
9:00. In case you were wondering, yes there are still public pay phones. Probably more than necessary, in fact. Thus it makes sense to charge $1 for a four-minute call. Turns out that I only need 30 seconds anyway, 'cause Dena's not answering her phone. Since it's relatively important for me to confirm with her that she'll be waiting for me at ISU, I leave all the details on her machine and explain that I'll call back in a half hour.
9:15. More tidbits for the traveler: There's a Hilton hotel attached to O'Hare airport. I wander over to see if there might be wi-fi in the lobby so that I can whittle time away on the computer. The bad news is that my laptop's sufficiently low on power so as not to function. The good news is that a nattily-clothed man hands me a free copy of the Onion newspaper and then begins giving me an infomercial about a local soup kitchen before. I'm overcome by the urge to go hang out back in the terminal, and off I go.
9:30. Success! Dena and I make arrangements to meet at ISU. There's a late night snack shop open. And Larry King is on the T.V. in the waiting station. Two out of three ain't bad.
10:15. The bus rolls up, and six of us roll aboard. I expect that I'll nap most of the way home, but I'm unexplainably jacked up. I engross myself in a book on Abraham Lincoln.
11:30. Hey, why aren't we on I-55? We're past Joliet but on some back road. This is the right bus, isn't it? The weary brain eventually deduces that we started far enough east that we can just shoot down Route 47 instead of the old familiar interstate. Still, it's comforting to know that my capacity for confusion is still high. Plus my imagination for scenarios like subduing the driver and hijacking the bus.
12:55. Right on time, except... why are we headed to the north side of town and not toward the university? We're at... the... airport. Turns out that another passenger on board had requested the special accommodation. Meaning that my own special accommodation, who much prefers the term "Dena," has sacrificed a couple decent hours of shuteye for nothing, and in fact will become quite confused shortly when we don't arrive. I'm facing the choice of staying on the bus, arriving safely with it at ISU a bit late, and causing her to drive us back across town to the airport to get the car. Or I can get off, find my car, and race at breakneck speed across town so that Dena's not mystified when the bus arrives without me. Better go conservative and take the first route. What's an extra half hour of sleep lost at this point? Mental note: Bring a tack to sit on at all work meetings tomorrow... er... later today.
1:00. If only my phone was char... HEY! It's got a sliver of a bar of power! Just enough to call Dena and tell her she can head home. Thanks God...
1:05. The long-lost feel of the trusty Saturn. So good to navigate my own transportation, as fast as the cover of night will let me.
1:30. Hugs, kisses, a cliff notes version of the epic tale, and off to bed, leaving unpacked bags to sleep in the kitchen while I snuggle in the place I oughta be.
The final totals: Eleven hours, five of them unplanned. One plane. One train. One automobile. Two buses. One majorly creeped-out 13 year old. One Freakonomics book. One free Onion. $50 savings by taking a subway instead of a cab. $55 in total bus fare for missing my flight.
But I'm telling you, it was a really good massage...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Planes, Trains And Automobiles? If Only!
Back to last Wednesday.
Okay, so my flight home from New York's departing JFK airport at 3:45. Conference got done at noon.
I was so ahead of the game the night before. Should I have been surprised on the way in that a cab to Midtown cost $60, or took an hour? That's for the birds. So I scoped out a couple subway stops, stared down the maps for a while. Only $8, seriously? I'll be a corporate superhero of thrift, Indiana Jones of the cornfields adventuring through the tunnels of Manhattan.
1:00. Thought it'd be good prep to get a half-hour massage before my flight to Bloomington by way of Detroit. When I scheduled it from home before the trip, I underestimated the travel time. Considering that it takes me about ten minutes to get to the Bloomington airport from the condo. I figured that it'd be wise to move it up a half hour if possible for some cushion. Nope, but they'd call me if something opened up. Nothing opened up. But I ought to be all right. Out of here in a half an hour would still give me an hour to JFK while allowing an hour prior to departure. The subway ought to be fast enough since there's no traffic. JFK might be a zoo, but worst case scenario would probably put me on the next flight. My connecting flight leaves Detroit at 8:00 EST. Home by 8:30 CST. Enough time to settle in, dabble in unpacking, and wear off the jet lag before work tomorrow.
1:30. Umm... hello? The massage therapist got held up by... slow trains. So I'll hit the streets at 2:00. The (slow-moving?) subway train at 2:15. They start boarding my flight at 3:25. So... an hour and fifteen minutes to get through the Metro, airport check-in, and security. Fortunately the receptionist is chatty to take my mind off the clock. She takes the E train toward the airport every day. What's it take, maybe an hour or so? "On a good day." Alrighty, then.
2:00. Relaxed, mostly. The E train is a nice, straight line to the airport and I can catch it at 53rd street. I'm at 57th street and can save ten minutes of walking by hopping on the A train here and changing at 53rd.
2:10. Didn't realize how fast time moves underground. Ooh, and my first sighting of a subway rat. Nice.
2:15. All aboard. I happen to be at the end of the car. Gotta get off in a stop or two. Which is it? Electric signs are a wonderful modern invention. In Washington D.C. or the Atlanta airport they broadcast the name of the next stop. This one says... that I'm on the A train. Guess I'll just have to listen to the announcement then. Those silvery-tongued voice over artists make all the difference. Shame it wasn't in the budget.
"Glitzzzkerg snemememik farg nift hyberjiflobble inka fiftyhack vrrrtimmy Mikhail."
Uhhh-huh. Off we go.
2:30. After three stops I'm adapting to the Klingon-Wookie language. Enough to confirm that I'm on the A train for the duration. As I recall, it's the nice loopy "scenic" track that swoops waaaay down into Soho before meandering back north. To the airport, at least. Provided that I get off at the right stop.
2:45. Momma didn't raise no dummy. Got a laptop. Pop it open, check the MTA site, scan the map, learn the stops. Hmm. You know, when I get back home I really ought to consider buying a wireless card. And unfortunately MTA's savings on the voice-over talent wasn't funneled into equipping the trains with wi-fi.
2:50. Got a cell phone! Call Jack or Dena. Have 'em consult the MTA site. And... um... battery dead.
2:55. Sitting here is getting awkward. In part because women and children are standing. And it's a 50/50 proposition as to whether I'll be able to identify when Yoda's cousin announces my mysterious stop.
3:00. Ah, better. Grabbing this pole allows me to stand, graciously concede my seat, and practice avoiding eye contact. The lady standing chest-to-chest with me undoubtedly appreciates it. Ditto the Eastside Crip Warriors' summer interns in the middle of the car. Who happen to be standing in front of... a map!
3:05. Making my move. At each stop, a few get off, and I inch toward the blissful view. At last I'm sidled up next to thick, sunglassed veteran with encyclopedic knowledge of the nation's ills. While he shares his brand of apocalyptic wisdom with another fascinated passenger, I take my last slide-step.
3:10. The promised land. A little askew, my back is turned to the map. And so it is that a shy, plump 13-year old boy is sitting innocently next to his grandma and just below a Metro map when a 40ish man with suitcases dressed in black screws his head around and gazes toward him. Stares intently for a few seconds, then whirls back. Turns his way again, furrows his brow, leans toward him. He squeezes grandma's hand tighter as the bespectacled stranger gives one more long, piercing look.
3:15. Grandma's hand regains its circulation. The man darts out of the train shortly after some jibberish squawks through the speakers about "JFK."
3:40. As I enter the airport, I hear the boarding call for my flight. I see a thirty-minute line of people at baggage check-in. Years of math training come in handy in calculating that I am screwed. Fortunately I'd picked up a copy of the book SuperFreakonomics earlier in the trip, and the time passes quickly (as it has been for the last three hours).
4:10. Smiling sheepishly, I approach the American Airlines employee at the counter and inform her that I missed my flight and needed to reschedule. Where were we before computers anyway? In less than thirty seconds she consults the schedule to present me with my options. Leading off with this one:
"That was the last flight to Chicago today."
(To be continued...)
Okay, so my flight home from New York's departing JFK airport at 3:45. Conference got done at noon.
I was so ahead of the game the night before. Should I have been surprised on the way in that a cab to Midtown cost $60, or took an hour? That's for the birds. So I scoped out a couple subway stops, stared down the maps for a while. Only $8, seriously? I'll be a corporate superhero of thrift, Indiana Jones of the cornfields adventuring through the tunnels of Manhattan.
1:00. Thought it'd be good prep to get a half-hour massage before my flight to Bloomington by way of Detroit. When I scheduled it from home before the trip, I underestimated the travel time. Considering that it takes me about ten minutes to get to the Bloomington airport from the condo. I figured that it'd be wise to move it up a half hour if possible for some cushion. Nope, but they'd call me if something opened up. Nothing opened up. But I ought to be all right. Out of here in a half an hour would still give me an hour to JFK while allowing an hour prior to departure. The subway ought to be fast enough since there's no traffic. JFK might be a zoo, but worst case scenario would probably put me on the next flight. My connecting flight leaves Detroit at 8:00 EST. Home by 8:30 CST. Enough time to settle in, dabble in unpacking, and wear off the jet lag before work tomorrow.
1:30. Umm... hello? The massage therapist got held up by... slow trains. So I'll hit the streets at 2:00. The (slow-moving?) subway train at 2:15. They start boarding my flight at 3:25. So... an hour and fifteen minutes to get through the Metro, airport check-in, and security. Fortunately the receptionist is chatty to take my mind off the clock. She takes the E train toward the airport every day. What's it take, maybe an hour or so? "On a good day." Alrighty, then.
2:00. Relaxed, mostly. The E train is a nice, straight line to the airport and I can catch it at 53rd street. I'm at 57th street and can save ten minutes of walking by hopping on the A train here and changing at 53rd.
2:10. Didn't realize how fast time moves underground. Ooh, and my first sighting of a subway rat. Nice.
2:15. All aboard. I happen to be at the end of the car. Gotta get off in a stop or two. Which is it? Electric signs are a wonderful modern invention. In Washington D.C. or the Atlanta airport they broadcast the name of the next stop. This one says... that I'm on the A train. Guess I'll just have to listen to the announcement then. Those silvery-tongued voice over artists make all the difference. Shame it wasn't in the budget.
"Glitzzzkerg snemememik farg nift hyberjiflobble inka fiftyhack vrrrtimmy Mikhail."
Uhhh-huh. Off we go.
2:30. After three stops I'm adapting to the Klingon-Wookie language. Enough to confirm that I'm on the A train for the duration. As I recall, it's the nice loopy "scenic" track that swoops waaaay down into Soho before meandering back north. To the airport, at least. Provided that I get off at the right stop.
2:45. Momma didn't raise no dummy. Got a laptop. Pop it open, check the MTA site, scan the map, learn the stops. Hmm. You know, when I get back home I really ought to consider buying a wireless card. And unfortunately MTA's savings on the voice-over talent wasn't funneled into equipping the trains with wi-fi.
2:50. Got a cell phone! Call Jack or Dena. Have 'em consult the MTA site. And... um... battery dead.
2:55. Sitting here is getting awkward. In part because women and children are standing. And it's a 50/50 proposition as to whether I'll be able to identify when Yoda's cousin announces my mysterious stop.
3:00. Ah, better. Grabbing this pole allows me to stand, graciously concede my seat, and practice avoiding eye contact. The lady standing chest-to-chest with me undoubtedly appreciates it. Ditto the Eastside Crip Warriors' summer interns in the middle of the car. Who happen to be standing in front of... a map!
3:05. Making my move. At each stop, a few get off, and I inch toward the blissful view. At last I'm sidled up next to thick, sunglassed veteran with encyclopedic knowledge of the nation's ills. While he shares his brand of apocalyptic wisdom with another fascinated passenger, I take my last slide-step.
3:10. The promised land. A little askew, my back is turned to the map. And so it is that a shy, plump 13-year old boy is sitting innocently next to his grandma and just below a Metro map when a 40ish man with suitcases dressed in black screws his head around and gazes toward him. Stares intently for a few seconds, then whirls back. Turns his way again, furrows his brow, leans toward him. He squeezes grandma's hand tighter as the bespectacled stranger gives one more long, piercing look.
3:15. Grandma's hand regains its circulation. The man darts out of the train shortly after some jibberish squawks through the speakers about "JFK."
3:40. As I enter the airport, I hear the boarding call for my flight. I see a thirty-minute line of people at baggage check-in. Years of math training come in handy in calculating that I am screwed. Fortunately I'd picked up a copy of the book SuperFreakonomics earlier in the trip, and the time passes quickly (as it has been for the last three hours).
4:10. Smiling sheepishly, I approach the American Airlines employee at the counter and inform her that I missed my flight and needed to reschedule. Where were we before computers anyway? In less than thirty seconds she consults the schedule to present me with my options. Leading off with this one:
"That was the last flight to Chicago today."
(To be continued...)
Stringing Along
I floss about five days a week, but took a recess on my trip to New York. This morning I got back into the routine. Gums are pretty sensitive, no? In younger days I thought the main purpose of flossing was to scrape plaque from the teeth, and it's definitely helped to dislodge a food remnant or three. But nowadays it's about healthy pink expanses and the tingling of massage that improves blood flow (too much so this morning - let's not overdo it). The dentist tells me that some people have great teeth, others great gums. So I'm on track to be the envy of my cheerful toothless grinning nursing home pals some day.
The Number One Way To Improve Your Memory
From Yahoo! Shine. The next time we choose up sides for a family trivia game, I'll be picking the ones who exercise!
Memory loss is the single biggest fear for Americans over the age of 55. And it’s understandable: over 4 million currently suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and those numbers are expected to quadruple by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Foundation. That may be why products promising to improve your brain function are flooding the market. Sudoku and crossword puzzles are said to improve memory association skills, though critics believe only when put to task by those puzzles. Ginkgo infused soft drinks line the grocery aisle, ever since the root was suggested to combat dementia (it doesn't). Even celery has been loosely linked to mental acuity. But the truth is there’s not enough hard evidence that any of these things really work.
In fact, there’s only one practice that’s been proven, without question, to preserve your memory: exercise. "Aerobic activities tend to show larger effects than non-aerobic activities," University of Pittsburgh psychologist Kirk Erickson tells Yahoo.
Working up a sweat helps your mind stay fit better than any crossword puzzle--unless you're doing that crossword on a treadmill.
The good news is that you don’t need to run a marathon. Just walking six miles a week can ward off memory disorders caused by aging, according to Erickson's research published this month in the medical journal Neurology. "It appears that if people start exercising their memory may improve and if you continue to exercise, that might delay, or offset, the age-related decline in memory," he explains.
And you don't need to lift any heavy barbells either. Erickson and his team monitored 300 senior adults over a period of 13 years, and found that those who walked between 6 and 9 miles a week—whether to work or with the dog--had half the brain deterioration of those who didn’t. "Exercise seems to enhance some of the more fundamental properties of our brain," Erickson explains. "It increases the growth of new cells and improves cellular processes associated with learning and memory." To put it simply, walking keeps your gray matter from shrinking. And the more matter, the more mind.
Another study published earlier this year suggests exercise can actually help your brain grow. A moderate workout may generate new brain cells. And not just any brain cells, but cells that specifically help to distinguish between memories, so each recollection stands out. It’s the kind of function you rely on every day, says Tim Bussey, one of the authors of the Cambridge University study. "[These cells help with] remembering which car parking space you have used on two different days in the previous week."
But exercise isn't the only way to keep tabs on your parking spot. There are some supplemental practices that doctors recommend in addition to a regular walk-a-thon. Diets rich in Omega fatty acids are instrumental in keeping your brain from aging. Two servings of salmon a week, provides ingredients that support brain tissue and enhance nerve cell function. Balancing fish with the other elements of a Mediterranean diet, like fruits and vegetables, has been found to lower the chances of cognitive decline. When it comes to memory retrieval, self-testing can be beneficial. In other words, pausing between paragraphs of an article and asking yourself to paraphrase the information, or repeat a fact. It can't hurt if that article is written in another language. Bilingualism, says one new study, helps ward off Alzheimer’s for up to four years. But it doesn't prevent the disease altogether. Your best bet: Walk it off.
Memory loss is the single biggest fear for Americans over the age of 55. And it’s understandable: over 4 million currently suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and those numbers are expected to quadruple by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Foundation. That may be why products promising to improve your brain function are flooding the market. Sudoku and crossword puzzles are said to improve memory association skills, though critics believe only when put to task by those puzzles. Ginkgo infused soft drinks line the grocery aisle, ever since the root was suggested to combat dementia (it doesn't). Even celery has been loosely linked to mental acuity. But the truth is there’s not enough hard evidence that any of these things really work.
In fact, there’s only one practice that’s been proven, without question, to preserve your memory: exercise. "Aerobic activities tend to show larger effects than non-aerobic activities," University of Pittsburgh psychologist Kirk Erickson tells Yahoo.
Working up a sweat helps your mind stay fit better than any crossword puzzle--unless you're doing that crossword on a treadmill.
The good news is that you don’t need to run a marathon. Just walking six miles a week can ward off memory disorders caused by aging, according to Erickson's research published this month in the medical journal Neurology. "It appears that if people start exercising their memory may improve and if you continue to exercise, that might delay, or offset, the age-related decline in memory," he explains.
And you don't need to lift any heavy barbells either. Erickson and his team monitored 300 senior adults over a period of 13 years, and found that those who walked between 6 and 9 miles a week—whether to work or with the dog--had half the brain deterioration of those who didn’t. "Exercise seems to enhance some of the more fundamental properties of our brain," Erickson explains. "It increases the growth of new cells and improves cellular processes associated with learning and memory." To put it simply, walking keeps your gray matter from shrinking. And the more matter, the more mind.
Another study published earlier this year suggests exercise can actually help your brain grow. A moderate workout may generate new brain cells. And not just any brain cells, but cells that specifically help to distinguish between memories, so each recollection stands out. It’s the kind of function you rely on every day, says Tim Bussey, one of the authors of the Cambridge University study. "[These cells help with] remembering which car parking space you have used on two different days in the previous week."
But exercise isn't the only way to keep tabs on your parking spot. There are some supplemental practices that doctors recommend in addition to a regular walk-a-thon. Diets rich in Omega fatty acids are instrumental in keeping your brain from aging. Two servings of salmon a week, provides ingredients that support brain tissue and enhance nerve cell function. Balancing fish with the other elements of a Mediterranean diet, like fruits and vegetables, has been found to lower the chances of cognitive decline. When it comes to memory retrieval, self-testing can be beneficial. In other words, pausing between paragraphs of an article and asking yourself to paraphrase the information, or repeat a fact. It can't hurt if that article is written in another language. Bilingualism, says one new study, helps ward off Alzheimer’s for up to four years. But it doesn't prevent the disease altogether. Your best bet: Walk it off.
Consumer Reports' Most Reliable Cars
From Yahoo! Finance... I've been thinking about Toyota Prius for a while so this sheds some interesting light. Consulting Consumer Reports 15 years ago is how I ended up a Saturn lifer (for the life of Saturn, that is).
While Honda and Toyota still dominate in reliability, General Motors has improved considerably in our latest predicted-reliability Ratings. Those are the findings of our 2010 Annual Auto Survey, based on subscribers' experiences with 1.3 million vehicles.
Across GM brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC), 69 percent of models had average or better reliability. Cadillac improved the most, rising seven places from last year's ranking. Chevrolet had its best showing in years; 83 percent of models had average or better scores in predicted reliability, up from 50 percent. Also noteworthy:
The major Asian brands are still doing well overall. All models from Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Scion, and Toyota have at least average predicted reliability.
Ford continues to be the most reliable American automaker. Ninety percent of Fords, including Lincoln models, have at least average reliability.
Chrysler remains the lowest-ranked manufacturer in our survey. We can recommend only one of its vehicles, the four wheel-drive Dodge Ram 1500.
While European reliability had been improving, momentum seems to have stalled. All Porsche and Volvo models are rated average or better. But Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the worst automakers overall.
The Porsche Boxster has the best predicted reliability in our survey, while the Audi A6 3.0T and Jaguar XF have the worst.
Detroit’s gains
General Motors and Ford have taken different paths to improving reliability. GM discontinued many of its below-average models, and some redesigns have scored well. Ford has been fine-tuning some older platforms, which gets around the bugs that often plague a new vehicle or major redesign.
Recent GM introductions, such as the Buick LaCrosse V6 (FWD), Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox, are proving reliable from the get-go. And some older models, such as the Chevrolet Avalanche, Corvette, and Suburban, have improved to average. Last year, all Cadillac models were below average. This year, about half its models rated at least average.
Ford's quality renaissance has been led by the midsized Fusion, which has been very reliable since its debut five years ago. Some new models from Ford have struggled out of the gate, but the hightrim Flex EcoBoost and Lincoln MKT sportutility vehicles rated above average in their first year.
Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep are saddled with dated vehicles that rate below average in reliability. But since Chrysler's acquisition by Fiat, many of its products will either be replaced or redesigned.
Asia still dominates
Despite recent safety recalls, Toyota models, including those from Scion and Lexus, remained among the most reliable and earned top scores in five vehicle categories. Only the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS and the new Lexus IS 250 convertible are below average. The redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius, hurt by antilock brake problems on early vehicles, scored only average. That is quite a drop from previous years. (We've reinstated our recommendations for eight Toyota models that had problems with sticking accelerator pedals.)
Honda and Acura are among the top four brands, with their models topping five vehicle categories. But problems with rear brake pads help drop the 4-cylinder Accord and Acura TSX to average.
Hyundai and Kia continued to do well, with only one model, the Kia Sedona minivan, rated below average. All six new models for 2010 had average or better reliability, an impressive first-year showing.
Nissan's mainstream models did fine. But the small Nissan Cube had a below average score in its first appearance in our survey. The Infiniti models were all average or better.
Subaru had a good record overall, with a top rating going to the four-cylinder Legacy sedan and the non-turbo version of the Forester SUV. The WRX was the only model that rated below average.
Europe's bumpy road
BMW had a bad year, with five of 11 models now scoring below average. Although the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1, 3, and 5 Series models with the 3.0-liter, turbocharged engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other issues.
Mercedes-Benz had the least reliable vehicles in three categories. Six of its 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average this year. The redesigned E350 sedan was above average, but the new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car, was a disappointment.
Almost three-quarters of the Audi models we analyzed were below average. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf (formerly Rabbit) doing very well and the various Jetta models doing average or better.
Our reliability survey
Our data are based on an annual survey of subscribers to Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org and are not derived from road tests. A model needs at least 100 responses per model year for us to score it.
From the survey, we create a reliability history for each model over the course of 10 years, 2001 to 2010. We use the data, in part, to forecast how well the 2011 models will hold up. We might predict reliability for a newly redesigned model, but only if previous versions had outstanding reliability.
Detailed Reliability data pinpoints problems
Each of the 17 problem areas we survey covers a host of possible faults. For instance, "Power Equipment" includes keyless entry, dashboard warning lights, tire-pressure monitor, and other things. "Body integrity" includes squeaks and rattles, seals and weather stripping, and air or water leaks, among other things. "Major Engine" problems include cylinder head and timing belt besides replacing the engine itself, while "Minor Engine" includes oil leaks, accessory belts and engine mounts.
To access the finer level of detail, choose any car, new or used, and go to its model-overview page. Click on the tab labeled "Reliability" and that will call up the reliability history, a grid of our familiar red and black scoring icons covering 17 trouble areas and however many model years we have data for.
Some of those individual colored "blobs" are flagged with a gold corner triangle with a "+" sign that indicate when more specific details are available. Click on that triangular corner tab to see more information on the problems owners have experienced.
As an example, looking at the Ford F-150 pickup, we can see multiple years of brake problems. However, in some years the problems were mainly attributed to pulsation or vibration, while in other years it was premature wear. Further, we note that the 2008 model had climate system problems. Now subscribers can see that the major gripe was the automatic climate system control rather than, say, a problem with the air conditioner itself.
Not all trouble spots are flagged. That's because either no or very few specific problems were reported, or because nothing stood out enough in the sub-categories to warrant special mention.
While Honda and Toyota still dominate in reliability, General Motors has improved considerably in our latest predicted-reliability Ratings. Those are the findings of our 2010 Annual Auto Survey, based on subscribers' experiences with 1.3 million vehicles.
Across GM brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC), 69 percent of models had average or better reliability. Cadillac improved the most, rising seven places from last year's ranking. Chevrolet had its best showing in years; 83 percent of models had average or better scores in predicted reliability, up from 50 percent. Also noteworthy:
The major Asian brands are still doing well overall. All models from Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Scion, and Toyota have at least average predicted reliability.
Ford continues to be the most reliable American automaker. Ninety percent of Fords, including Lincoln models, have at least average reliability.
Chrysler remains the lowest-ranked manufacturer in our survey. We can recommend only one of its vehicles, the four wheel-drive Dodge Ram 1500.
While European reliability had been improving, momentum seems to have stalled. All Porsche and Volvo models are rated average or better. But Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the worst automakers overall.
The Porsche Boxster has the best predicted reliability in our survey, while the Audi A6 3.0T and Jaguar XF have the worst.
Detroit’s gains
General Motors and Ford have taken different paths to improving reliability. GM discontinued many of its below-average models, and some redesigns have scored well. Ford has been fine-tuning some older platforms, which gets around the bugs that often plague a new vehicle or major redesign.
Recent GM introductions, such as the Buick LaCrosse V6 (FWD), Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox, are proving reliable from the get-go. And some older models, such as the Chevrolet Avalanche, Corvette, and Suburban, have improved to average. Last year, all Cadillac models were below average. This year, about half its models rated at least average.
Ford's quality renaissance has been led by the midsized Fusion, which has been very reliable since its debut five years ago. Some new models from Ford have struggled out of the gate, but the hightrim Flex EcoBoost and Lincoln MKT sportutility vehicles rated above average in their first year.
Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep are saddled with dated vehicles that rate below average in reliability. But since Chrysler's acquisition by Fiat, many of its products will either be replaced or redesigned.
Asia still dominates
Despite recent safety recalls, Toyota models, including those from Scion and Lexus, remained among the most reliable and earned top scores in five vehicle categories. Only the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS and the new Lexus IS 250 convertible are below average. The redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius, hurt by antilock brake problems on early vehicles, scored only average. That is quite a drop from previous years. (We've reinstated our recommendations for eight Toyota models that had problems with sticking accelerator pedals.)
Honda and Acura are among the top four brands, with their models topping five vehicle categories. But problems with rear brake pads help drop the 4-cylinder Accord and Acura TSX to average.
Hyundai and Kia continued to do well, with only one model, the Kia Sedona minivan, rated below average. All six new models for 2010 had average or better reliability, an impressive first-year showing.
Nissan's mainstream models did fine. But the small Nissan Cube had a below average score in its first appearance in our survey. The Infiniti models were all average or better.
Subaru had a good record overall, with a top rating going to the four-cylinder Legacy sedan and the non-turbo version of the Forester SUV. The WRX was the only model that rated below average.
Europe's bumpy road
BMW had a bad year, with five of 11 models now scoring below average. Although the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1, 3, and 5 Series models with the 3.0-liter, turbocharged engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other issues.
Mercedes-Benz had the least reliable vehicles in three categories. Six of its 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average this year. The redesigned E350 sedan was above average, but the new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car, was a disappointment.
Almost three-quarters of the Audi models we analyzed were below average. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf (formerly Rabbit) doing very well and the various Jetta models doing average or better.
Our reliability survey
Our data are based on an annual survey of subscribers to Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org and are not derived from road tests. A model needs at least 100 responses per model year for us to score it.
From the survey, we create a reliability history for each model over the course of 10 years, 2001 to 2010. We use the data, in part, to forecast how well the 2011 models will hold up. We might predict reliability for a newly redesigned model, but only if previous versions had outstanding reliability.
Detailed Reliability data pinpoints problems
Each of the 17 problem areas we survey covers a host of possible faults. For instance, "Power Equipment" includes keyless entry, dashboard warning lights, tire-pressure monitor, and other things. "Body integrity" includes squeaks and rattles, seals and weather stripping, and air or water leaks, among other things. "Major Engine" problems include cylinder head and timing belt besides replacing the engine itself, while "Minor Engine" includes oil leaks, accessory belts and engine mounts.
To access the finer level of detail, choose any car, new or used, and go to its model-overview page. Click on the tab labeled "Reliability" and that will call up the reliability history, a grid of our familiar red and black scoring icons covering 17 trouble areas and however many model years we have data for.
Some of those individual colored "blobs" are flagged with a gold corner triangle with a "+" sign that indicate when more specific details are available. Click on that triangular corner tab to see more information on the problems owners have experienced.
As an example, looking at the Ford F-150 pickup, we can see multiple years of brake problems. However, in some years the problems were mainly attributed to pulsation or vibration, while in other years it was premature wear. Further, we note that the 2008 model had climate system problems. Now subscribers can see that the major gripe was the automatic climate system control rather than, say, a problem with the air conditioner itself.
Not all trouble spots are flagged. That's because either no or very few specific problems were reported, or because nothing stood out enough in the sub-categories to warrant special mention.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
I'll Follow The Sun
The forecast called for variable clouds and 60% chance of rain, but the morning sky was clear with rising low-sixty temps. You can add ten degrees in the direct sunlight so I jump-altered my schedule so as to get some (closed) poolside reading in. The day always feels a touch better when opportunities arise from paying attention and nimbly hatching plans. I also enjoy the feeling of squeezing a summertime experience out of the fall. I'm guessing that there may be another chance ahead this week!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Random Rumble
One of the cool things about New York was the diversity - the languages, ages, shapes, smells and fashions. That's why crosswalks are so fascinating. I found the citizens to be surprisingly obedient while waiting for trucks, cabs, bicycles and other modes of transport to shoot through the intersection. We pedestrians are left to stand there patiently, accumulating in a random mass of humanity, staring across at each other waiting to engage like troops assembling on the field of battle. As if when that light turns green an all-out turf war will erupt as each block tries to conquer the other.
We'd have less than sixty seconds to devise our strategy, which would be challenging even if the army sizes weren't in constant flux.
"How many have we got? Thirteen?
Wait, construction guy, which street are you crossing, north or east? Oh, just taking a smoke break.
You with the bikes-for-rent sign. Nice blunt object. You in?
Hey, suit with briefcase. See their tall guy with the umbrella? You got him. Go for the knees.
Asian grandma, see anyone you can take?
Tight-shorted Central Park jogger, you lead the way. That ought to scatter their ranks for all kinds of reasons.
OK, Swedish college chicks. They got two with the rolling luggage, see? Steer 'em toward the grates! No wait, they just went down into the subway. Um... see what you can do against the three models with the overloaded shopping bags, you outweigh them.
Hot pretzel muncher, hurry! You've got the Elton John look-alike.
Shoot, they gotta have twenty people over there now!
Aimless drifter, over-tattooed lady, weird-scarf guy, you flank them on the left. Football lineman and I will blast a wedge into the guys en route to make a rap video. Jockey who last flossed in 1982 will go after the tourists from Indiana.
GREEN LIGHT! CHAAAARGE!"
We'd have less than sixty seconds to devise our strategy, which would be challenging even if the army sizes weren't in constant flux.
"How many have we got? Thirteen?
Wait, construction guy, which street are you crossing, north or east? Oh, just taking a smoke break.
You with the bikes-for-rent sign. Nice blunt object. You in?
Hey, suit with briefcase. See their tall guy with the umbrella? You got him. Go for the knees.
Asian grandma, see anyone you can take?
Tight-shorted Central Park jogger, you lead the way. That ought to scatter their ranks for all kinds of reasons.
OK, Swedish college chicks. They got two with the rolling luggage, see? Steer 'em toward the grates! No wait, they just went down into the subway. Um... see what you can do against the three models with the overloaded shopping bags, you outweigh them.
Hot pretzel muncher, hurry! You've got the Elton John look-alike.
Shoot, they gotta have twenty people over there now!
Aimless drifter, over-tattooed lady, weird-scarf guy, you flank them on the left. Football lineman and I will blast a wedge into the guys en route to make a rap video. Jockey who last flossed in 1982 will go after the tourists from Indiana.
GREEN LIGHT! CHAAAARGE!"
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thoughts For The Day
Thanks to Brandi for sharing these from another source! At least some of these probably apply to your situation.
Taking Care of You
Drink plenty of water.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.
Eat more fruits and vegetables and eat less that is manufactured in processing plants.
Avoid eating food that is handed to you through a window.
Live the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2009.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Your Outlook
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don't remind others of their past mistakes.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Learn a new word every day.
Smile and laugh more.
You don't have to win every argument.
Your Relationships
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Your Life
The worst promise you can break is one made to yourself.
Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
The best is yet to come.
When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
Your Innermost Self is always happy. Follow it.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Taking Care of You
Drink plenty of water.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.
Eat more fruits and vegetables and eat less that is manufactured in processing plants.
Avoid eating food that is handed to you through a window.
Live the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2009.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Your Outlook
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don't remind others of their past mistakes.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Learn a new word every day.
Smile and laugh more.
You don't have to win every argument.
Your Relationships
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Your Life
The worst promise you can break is one made to yourself.
Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
The best is yet to come.
When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
Your Innermost Self is always happy. Follow it.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Too Luney?
The moon is full and the skies are clear. Does that make it a "moony night"? How is it any different than a "sunny day"?
"Today, partly sunny skies. Tonight, mostly moony."
Or what if we just said "clear" regardless of time of day? Really we're just talking degrees of clouds, right?
"For Tuesday, clear in the morning, mostly cloudy in the evening with 30% chance of showers."
Why break out the statistics for the rain chances? Math is nerd-scary. Can we just stick with the words used for pollen count, UV rays and terror alerts - very low, low, medium, high, very high?
"Today, partly sunny skies. Tonight, mostly moony."
Or what if we just said "clear" regardless of time of day? Really we're just talking degrees of clouds, right?
"For Tuesday, clear in the morning, mostly cloudy in the evening with 30% chance of showers."
Why break out the statistics for the rain chances? Math is nerd-scary. Can we just stick with the words used for pollen count, UV rays and terror alerts - very low, low, medium, high, very high?
Lease Versus Rent
A bit of legal research became necessary due to a potential condo buyer for one of the association's units, who wishes to have two roommates paying for the privilege of occupancy. Our by-laws discuss "leasing" and "renting" as separate legal terms. Why?
"When you rent out a property, you will need to decide if you wish to offer your tenants a lease or a rental agreement. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same.
A lease for a rental property has a finite term, such as six months or a year, for which a tenant will agree to rent the property. During this time period, also known as the duration of the lease, the tenant and the landlord are bound to uphold the terms of the written agreement.
Having a lease means that neither party may change any terms of the agreement until the lease expires, unless both parties agree to the change. For example, if the current amount of rent is $500 per month, you may not increase this amount until the lease expires.
Under a lease, tenants are obligated to make monthly rent payments as agreed upon, as well as follow any code of conduct or other stipulations in the lease while it's in effect. It also means that a tenant may not vacate the property without breaking their lease. In some cases, the tenant may be held liable for the remaining amount of rent due under the lease, or they may be required to find another person to fulfill their end of the lease.
A lease is generally used for landlords who prefer the stability that comes with locking in a tenant for a specified period of time. If you have a mortgage payment to meet, having this set amount of income can help you budget your expenses. Most tenants are familiar with long-term leases, and will not have a problem committing.
Rental agreements differ from leases in a number of ways. Standard rental agreements are month-to-month, and there is no set period of residence. Both the landlord and tenant are free at the end of each 30-day period to make changes to the rental agreement, subject to any rent control laws.
These changes may include a rent increase, modification of terms of the rental agreement, or a request to vacate the property. However, in most states, both landlord and tenant are required to give 30 days' notice before any changes can be made. If your state does not require a notice, you are free to change any part of the rental agreement at your discretion.
Rental agreements are useful for landlords who are having difficulty attracting new tenants, especially if they are in areas that cater to students or professionals on the move. They appreciate the freedom a month-to-month agreement provides, and landlords who offer these arrangements may have an edge over landlords who require long-term leases.
A rental agreement is typically auto-renewed without notice after each 30-day period has elapsed, as long as neither party has stated that the tenant will vacate the premises.
Before you rent out your property, you will need to take into account the differences between a lease and a rental agreement. This will allow you to make the best decision for your needs."
"When you rent out a property, you will need to decide if you wish to offer your tenants a lease or a rental agreement. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same.
A lease for a rental property has a finite term, such as six months or a year, for which a tenant will agree to rent the property. During this time period, also known as the duration of the lease, the tenant and the landlord are bound to uphold the terms of the written agreement.
Having a lease means that neither party may change any terms of the agreement until the lease expires, unless both parties agree to the change. For example, if the current amount of rent is $500 per month, you may not increase this amount until the lease expires.
Under a lease, tenants are obligated to make monthly rent payments as agreed upon, as well as follow any code of conduct or other stipulations in the lease while it's in effect. It also means that a tenant may not vacate the property without breaking their lease. In some cases, the tenant may be held liable for the remaining amount of rent due under the lease, or they may be required to find another person to fulfill their end of the lease.
A lease is generally used for landlords who prefer the stability that comes with locking in a tenant for a specified period of time. If you have a mortgage payment to meet, having this set amount of income can help you budget your expenses. Most tenants are familiar with long-term leases, and will not have a problem committing.
Rental agreements differ from leases in a number of ways. Standard rental agreements are month-to-month, and there is no set period of residence. Both the landlord and tenant are free at the end of each 30-day period to make changes to the rental agreement, subject to any rent control laws.
These changes may include a rent increase, modification of terms of the rental agreement, or a request to vacate the property. However, in most states, both landlord and tenant are required to give 30 days' notice before any changes can be made. If your state does not require a notice, you are free to change any part of the rental agreement at your discretion.
Rental agreements are useful for landlords who are having difficulty attracting new tenants, especially if they are in areas that cater to students or professionals on the move. They appreciate the freedom a month-to-month agreement provides, and landlords who offer these arrangements may have an edge over landlords who require long-term leases.
A rental agreement is typically auto-renewed without notice after each 30-day period has elapsed, as long as neither party has stated that the tenant will vacate the premises.
Before you rent out your property, you will need to take into account the differences between a lease and a rental agreement. This will allow you to make the best decision for your needs."
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Law Of The Garbage Truck
This one's a forward from Mom! Thanks!
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was REALLY friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so .....
Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have a blessed, garbage-free day!
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was REALLY friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so .....
Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have a blessed, garbage-free day!
Buy Low, Feel High
“We see the latest correction not as disaster but as an opportunity to acquire more shares at low prices. This is how great fortunes are made over time.” – Peter Lynch
Buying a stock during a down period doesn’t feel so hot – until the price is happily ahead months later. In the case of personal down periods, I find the return to be within a matter of hours… as long as I seize the opportunity to exercise those mental muscles to cruise through it.
Buying a stock during a down period doesn’t feel so hot – until the price is happily ahead months later. In the case of personal down periods, I find the return to be within a matter of hours… as long as I seize the opportunity to exercise those mental muscles to cruise through it.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Doody Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
The first leg of my journey to the New York business conference was a puddle jump from Bloomington to Detroit.
I’d volunteered to move from seat 2C (nearly the front row) to 14A (nearly the back row) as a kindness to the flight steward seeking a volunteer as part of a grand plan to help rebalance the plane. While loping toward the back I noted the man sitting in the rear in a pilot’s uniform, wondering if perhaps the strategy had backfired.
The new seat was something of a “pessimist special,” offering features like:
- floor-level window leakage of ankle-icing air
- the chap in the next seat with the armrest-consuming forearms reading a book about the famous London 20th century flu epidemic
- the cough-a-minute woman behind me
The crown jewel of the who’s-flying-this-thing section was the screaming infant across the aisle (perhaps missing her baby brother up in the cockpit).
Gratefully, I don’t subscribe to the loser’s club. When I hear a crying child, I tell myself that I might be sitting near a future U.S. President or other famous figure. Pretty cool.
I’d volunteered to move from seat 2C (nearly the front row) to 14A (nearly the back row) as a kindness to the flight steward seeking a volunteer as part of a grand plan to help rebalance the plane. While loping toward the back I noted the man sitting in the rear in a pilot’s uniform, wondering if perhaps the strategy had backfired.
The new seat was something of a “pessimist special,” offering features like:
- floor-level window leakage of ankle-icing air
- the chap in the next seat with the armrest-consuming forearms reading a book about the famous London 20th century flu epidemic
- the cough-a-minute woman behind me
The crown jewel of the who’s-flying-this-thing section was the screaming infant across the aisle (perhaps missing her baby brother up in the cockpit).
Gratefully, I don’t subscribe to the loser’s club. When I hear a crying child, I tell myself that I might be sitting near a future U.S. President or other famous figure. Pretty cool.
Bumpy Ground
“How frequently today’s mountains turn out to be tomorrow’s molehills, and vice versa.” – Peter Lynch
Having a pimple used to be a mountain. Making an honest mistake at work used to be a mountain. Disagreement with my opinion used to be a mountain. My making a disparaging remark used to be a molehill. My viewing most events as being within my control, or within another person’s control, used to be a molehill. These all will keep coming, but hopefully recognition is half of the solution to the problem. The molehills can be ignored, and true mountains conquered.
Having a pimple used to be a mountain. Making an honest mistake at work used to be a mountain. Disagreement with my opinion used to be a mountain. My making a disparaging remark used to be a molehill. My viewing most events as being within my control, or within another person’s control, used to be a molehill. These all will keep coming, but hopefully recognition is half of the solution to the problem. The molehills can be ignored, and true mountains conquered.
Are You Simpler Than A Fifth Grader?
“If you’re prepared to invest in a company, then you ought to be able to explain why in simple language that a fifth grader could understand, and quickly enough to the fifth grader won’t get bored.” – Peter Lynch
That wisdom goes beyond investing. At some point, if it takes too long to explain yourself, then you may just be fooling yourself.
Someone recently asked me if I’d gone agnostic (“there is no God”) since I stopped going to church. Answer: Nope. I thank God regularly for such a great life. More than I did when I went to church. What fits some doesn’t fit all.
That wisdom goes beyond investing. At some point, if it takes too long to explain yourself, then you may just be fooling yourself.
Someone recently asked me if I’d gone agnostic (“there is no God”) since I stopped going to church. Answer: Nope. I thank God regularly for such a great life. More than I did when I went to church. What fits some doesn’t fit all.
Live And Help Live
“[T]he best way to get the most out of a staff is to give people full responsibility. Usually, they will live up to it.” – Peter Lynch
I saw a presentation today suggesting that there can be more to it. The learning curve of an employee traces four stages using their model. The “enthusiastic beginner” is ready to take on the world. Often, he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, and soon reaches one limit after another until his resources (most significantly, his own knowledge) runs out. At this “disillusioned learner” stage support and direction are what keep him from getting overwhelmed and quitting. In time, he becomes a “capable, cautious learner” who still appreciates encouragement, feeling a mix of capability and doubt. At last, he graduates into a “self-reliant achiever” whose productivity spikes.
The principle behind Lynch’s comment has been championed here before. Micromanagers are heels. Thing is, most managers agree. So they languish in the opposite extreme of excessive distance and insufficient support.
Giving full responsibility is half the equation. The other half is giving full support.
I saw a presentation today suggesting that there can be more to it. The learning curve of an employee traces four stages using their model. The “enthusiastic beginner” is ready to take on the world. Often, he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, and soon reaches one limit after another until his resources (most significantly, his own knowledge) runs out. At this “disillusioned learner” stage support and direction are what keep him from getting overwhelmed and quitting. In time, he becomes a “capable, cautious learner” who still appreciates encouragement, feeling a mix of capability and doubt. At last, he graduates into a “self-reliant achiever” whose productivity spikes.
The principle behind Lynch’s comment has been championed here before. Micromanagers are heels. Thing is, most managers agree. So they languish in the opposite extreme of excessive distance and insufficient support.
Giving full responsibility is half the equation. The other half is giving full support.
High/Low Week 41, 2010
It's fun to write this week's review while sitting in the lobby of the Sheraton New York. Free wi-fi access is available in 30 minute increments, so I get to pretend I'm a member of the press trying to meet a deadline. If only I'd taken more notes!
It had been eight hours of traveling, saddled with a bit of fatigue as well as luggage, and with daylight descending on my first hour in the city. I got my hotel room key, took ten steps toward relaxation, and was beckoned back to the front desk. My payment card had been declined. It's debit, you see. With a $500 daily limit. And they charge all three days in advance. On Sunday evenings my bank is closed, so no way to get the debit limit temporarily lifted. I took a long shot and asked if a personal check would be acceptable, nope.
The attendant stepped away to talk with management. I began to weigh various unsavory ways of selling aspects of my person on short notice to raise the funds. I doubted that I could find a plasma donation lab nearby, or that I'd have enough in my body to cover a night's stay in New York, or would be successful in enslaving sufficient other people to donate the balance. Unless basketball-related maneuvers would qualify as "exotic," then dancing was out. And I didn't see anyone in feathered hats and fur coats on the way in.
Fortunately they allowed me to stay one night, and this morning I got it all sorted out. Still, nothing qualifies so readily as a low point as the thought of sleeping in a strange dark urine-scented city alley with a laptop computer. Except maybe the thought of walking unshowered into the actuarial conference the next morning.
I enjoyed going to two wiener roasts on Friday night with Higher Ground and Saturday night with the old gang from Calvary United Methodist Church. It had been a while. In fact, the Saturday outing brought together a collection of people I'd befriended in separate locations, but had come to find each other in friendship through the years with no involvement from me. That says something about good fortune and, I suppose, consistency in the characteristics I look for in friends.
By the way, for a quick inside joke - a shout out to the best Agape Chapel of all time. Kevin Hoss, Eric Paullin, Jeff Able and Ken Von Qualen.
Except for the financial snafu, the New York trip has been smooth and fascinating (more to come in subsequent posts). I love getting away from time to time! Having this laptop is tremendous. Plus I picked up a book in the airport called "SuperFreakonomics" that I'm sure Dena will love (or already has) since we read its predecessor with great enjoyment on our way out to Hatteras.
Dena worked herself to the bone this week on graphic design stuff, enough to go down for the count for a night, and also to make good progress on her Calvary newsletter, Eastview Christian Church study guide design and Kiwanis correspondence.
Thank goodness I can learn and take in this travel experience knowing that the folks back home are getting the job done. I attended a session on leading employees to self-reliance and have some exciting topics to bring up when I get back. Which will be soon enough!
Ah, made my press deadline...
It had been eight hours of traveling, saddled with a bit of fatigue as well as luggage, and with daylight descending on my first hour in the city. I got my hotel room key, took ten steps toward relaxation, and was beckoned back to the front desk. My payment card had been declined. It's debit, you see. With a $500 daily limit. And they charge all three days in advance. On Sunday evenings my bank is closed, so no way to get the debit limit temporarily lifted. I took a long shot and asked if a personal check would be acceptable, nope.
The attendant stepped away to talk with management. I began to weigh various unsavory ways of selling aspects of my person on short notice to raise the funds. I doubted that I could find a plasma donation lab nearby, or that I'd have enough in my body to cover a night's stay in New York, or would be successful in enslaving sufficient other people to donate the balance. Unless basketball-related maneuvers would qualify as "exotic," then dancing was out. And I didn't see anyone in feathered hats and fur coats on the way in.
Fortunately they allowed me to stay one night, and this morning I got it all sorted out. Still, nothing qualifies so readily as a low point as the thought of sleeping in a strange dark urine-scented city alley with a laptop computer. Except maybe the thought of walking unshowered into the actuarial conference the next morning.
I enjoyed going to two wiener roasts on Friday night with Higher Ground and Saturday night with the old gang from Calvary United Methodist Church. It had been a while. In fact, the Saturday outing brought together a collection of people I'd befriended in separate locations, but had come to find each other in friendship through the years with no involvement from me. That says something about good fortune and, I suppose, consistency in the characteristics I look for in friends.
By the way, for a quick inside joke - a shout out to the best Agape Chapel of all time. Kevin Hoss, Eric Paullin, Jeff Able and Ken Von Qualen.
Except for the financial snafu, the New York trip has been smooth and fascinating (more to come in subsequent posts). I love getting away from time to time! Having this laptop is tremendous. Plus I picked up a book in the airport called "SuperFreakonomics" that I'm sure Dena will love (or already has) since we read its predecessor with great enjoyment on our way out to Hatteras.
Dena worked herself to the bone this week on graphic design stuff, enough to go down for the count for a night, and also to make good progress on her Calvary newsletter, Eastview Christian Church study guide design and Kiwanis correspondence.
Thank goodness I can learn and take in this travel experience knowing that the folks back home are getting the job done. I attended a session on leading employees to self-reliance and have some exciting topics to bring up when I get back. Which will be soon enough!
Ah, made my press deadline...
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Becoming A Bookie
I decided not to run for re-election for the condominium association board next year. Eight years ago I decided that I owed it to the neighborhood to contribute after being off for six years. It was a cinch to step into the treasurer role since it fits my abilities perfectly.
At the time I didn't know that I'd gain a tremendous learning experience as a contractor (leading the effort to put a new roof and retaining wall) and lawyer (scrutinizing by-laws and town ordinances). I know more about pool maintenance, foundation repair and electrical wiring than ever.
It's been exciting to orchestrate a 20-year financial plan and see it thus far follow according to plan. That's why I offered to continue my volunteer services as a "bookkeeper" - the true treasurer stuff like collecting checks, administering accounts in default, setting budgets and continuing to preside over the progress of that plan. Once the Board elects a nominal treasurer, that person can gain the wisdom of experience that I've had as a community leader. And I get the extra flexibility I need by not being tied down to a monthly meeting date or getting involved in other Board-related projects - flexibility that I can use for basketball coaching or the occasional appearance with the band.
Having done my fair share of service, and continuing to do so in a manner that saves the organization hundreds of dollars per year in accounting fees, it was in the end an easy decision to make.
At the time I didn't know that I'd gain a tremendous learning experience as a contractor (leading the effort to put a new roof and retaining wall) and lawyer (scrutinizing by-laws and town ordinances). I know more about pool maintenance, foundation repair and electrical wiring than ever.
It's been exciting to orchestrate a 20-year financial plan and see it thus far follow according to plan. That's why I offered to continue my volunteer services as a "bookkeeper" - the true treasurer stuff like collecting checks, administering accounts in default, setting budgets and continuing to preside over the progress of that plan. Once the Board elects a nominal treasurer, that person can gain the wisdom of experience that I've had as a community leader. And I get the extra flexibility I need by not being tied down to a monthly meeting date or getting involved in other Board-related projects - flexibility that I can use for basketball coaching or the occasional appearance with the band.
Having done my fair share of service, and continuing to do so in a manner that saves the organization hundreds of dollars per year in accounting fees, it was in the end an easy decision to make.
Boss's Day
"Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." - Anonymous
Or if you don't love your work, having a lovable staff is the next best thing. The kind of staff that realizes you'll be out of the office on the day of the department celebration of Boss's Day (which falls on a Saturday - whose idea was that?) and so signs a card to give you in advance.
Throughout my brief (though it's been ten years now, geez!) supervisory career I've been fortunate to have direct reports that are honest, friendly, kinder and more mature than me in most respects. When you're growing as a person from the role models in your employ, you've got it good!
Or if you don't love your work, having a lovable staff is the next best thing. The kind of staff that realizes you'll be out of the office on the day of the department celebration of Boss's Day (which falls on a Saturday - whose idea was that?) and so signs a card to give you in advance.
Throughout my brief (though it's been ten years now, geez!) supervisory career I've been fortunate to have direct reports that are honest, friendly, kinder and more mature than me in most respects. When you're growing as a person from the role models in your employ, you've got it good!
Getting Cred
Coach Short asked me to fill out an application for my credentials as a volunteer.
It's an upgrade in the state of security as far as I'm concerned. Last year I had to come in and complete an on-screen app for a background review. In these times it's a no-brainer that an adult about to work with high school children must do this. The school simply cannot risk that I might be alone in the locker room with one of the boys and write him a bad check.
This year was basically a renewal form that's used for all Unit 5 school volunteers. It asked for my name, the program I'm volunteering for, and the number of weekly available hours (I put 20... considering five weekly practices at about 2 hours a pop and one game a week consuming four hours, plus some study/strategy on the side).
I'm just disappointed that I didn't slip in a nickname, in case there's a badge involved:
"Shoulders"
"Mr. Crutch"
"Man of Teal"
"Professorus"
"Lord of the Fries"
It's an upgrade in the state of security as far as I'm concerned. Last year I had to come in and complete an on-screen app for a background review. In these times it's a no-brainer that an adult about to work with high school children must do this. The school simply cannot risk that I might be alone in the locker room with one of the boys and write him a bad check.
This year was basically a renewal form that's used for all Unit 5 school volunteers. It asked for my name, the program I'm volunteering for, and the number of weekly available hours (I put 20... considering five weekly practices at about 2 hours a pop and one game a week consuming four hours, plus some study/strategy on the side).
I'm just disappointed that I didn't slip in a nickname, in case there's a badge involved:
"Shoulders"
"Mr. Crutch"
"Man of Teal"
"Professorus"
"Lord of the Fries"
Morning Joe
The body alarm decided to go off at 4:30 this morning. Why?
Part of it was because I nodded off early last night. I'd put in a couple extra hours at the office to wrap up some work prior to my 3-day New York business trip next week. Then off to the Hudson area for a wiener roast in falling temps with the old band Higher Ground. A couple rounds of hot dogs and baked beans filled the stomach nicely before heading home to reunite with Dena - poor lady had been laid low with a wicked headache for much of the day. So we chilled out while watching the first four episodes of the new season of The Office on DVR. Suddenly I was stirring awake at 11:00, and stumbled upstairs to call it a day. So I did log over six hours of sleep, which is passable for me for a few days before needing an 8-hour stint to catch up.
Another part was a weird dream where someone asked me to proctor an FSA exam for her. Only it was done like this: In front of a roomful of my management peers, she said "I need someone to proctor the FSA exam on Saturday morning. So if everyone agrees, then Joe will do it." To which my internal reaction was that of a caffeinated, sleep-deprived, drunken man on steroids and meth: "SURE everyone's going to agree. Why WOULDN'T THEY? And if you'd like me to commit my weekend to help you out, did you at least consider doing it in the form of a QUESTION?" Mr. Sandman's allergic to adrenaline rushes so that pretty much sealed the deal on slumbering for one night. [Editor's note: This was only a dream. I was not actually in the state described above last night. Which is to say, I was not caffeinated.] [Editor's note 2: I am happy to help proctor exams. I don't believe they are on Saturdays. The co-worker from the dream is perfectly kind and would never do anything so backhanded. Though as a non-Cubs fan, nothing can be known for sure.]
More reason: I recorded Game 1 of the baseball playoffs between the Yankees and Rangers. Right now it's the 4th inning and the Rangers lead 3-0 (go underdog! Sorry Jack).
Reason #4: Gives me plenty of time to enjoy some breakfast and drink sufficient water before heading over to the gym for a couple hours of basketball. Hidden Bloggers know my belief in the body as a machine that works best when properly fueled!
And hey, it's SATURDAY! When we were kids wasn't this like a weekly occurrence, bolting out of bed before Mom & Dad to start playing? Nowadays, besides hoops, play includes a bit of e-bonding with the blogosphere.
Let's roll!
Part of it was because I nodded off early last night. I'd put in a couple extra hours at the office to wrap up some work prior to my 3-day New York business trip next week. Then off to the Hudson area for a wiener roast in falling temps with the old band Higher Ground. A couple rounds of hot dogs and baked beans filled the stomach nicely before heading home to reunite with Dena - poor lady had been laid low with a wicked headache for much of the day. So we chilled out while watching the first four episodes of the new season of The Office on DVR. Suddenly I was stirring awake at 11:00, and stumbled upstairs to call it a day. So I did log over six hours of sleep, which is passable for me for a few days before needing an 8-hour stint to catch up.
Another part was a weird dream where someone asked me to proctor an FSA exam for her. Only it was done like this: In front of a roomful of my management peers, she said "I need someone to proctor the FSA exam on Saturday morning. So if everyone agrees, then Joe will do it." To which my internal reaction was that of a caffeinated, sleep-deprived, drunken man on steroids and meth: "SURE everyone's going to agree. Why WOULDN'T THEY? And if you'd like me to commit my weekend to help you out, did you at least consider doing it in the form of a QUESTION?" Mr. Sandman's allergic to adrenaline rushes so that pretty much sealed the deal on slumbering for one night. [Editor's note: This was only a dream. I was not actually in the state described above last night. Which is to say, I was not caffeinated.] [Editor's note 2: I am happy to help proctor exams. I don't believe they are on Saturdays. The co-worker from the dream is perfectly kind and would never do anything so backhanded. Though as a non-Cubs fan, nothing can be known for sure.]
More reason: I recorded Game 1 of the baseball playoffs between the Yankees and Rangers. Right now it's the 4th inning and the Rangers lead 3-0 (go underdog! Sorry Jack).
Reason #4: Gives me plenty of time to enjoy some breakfast and drink sufficient water before heading over to the gym for a couple hours of basketball. Hidden Bloggers know my belief in the body as a machine that works best when properly fueled!
And hey, it's SATURDAY! When we were kids wasn't this like a weekly occurrence, bolting out of bed before Mom & Dad to start playing? Nowadays, besides hoops, play includes a bit of e-bonding with the blogosphere.
Let's roll!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Kids Interviewed About Marriage
Thanks Dona!
1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY? (written by kids)
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
3. HOW
CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7 ( Love her )
-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7
-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8
7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )
8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is .......
9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10
1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY? (written by kids)
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
3. HOW
CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7 ( Love her )
-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7
-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8
7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )
8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is .......
9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10
Monday, October 11, 2010
Gabelli Asset Fund
I was a freshman economics student when required to subscribe to the Wall Street Journal. Shortly thereafter appeared an article about the Gabelli Asset Fund, lowering its minimum deposit to zero for initial investment. That was right in my budget, so I chipped in to seed my first individual retirement account at age 18. Twenty years later the fund has returned an average of 10.05%, versus Standard & Poor's 500 index at 7.67%.
Here are ten big winners in that portfolio, showing their return over the last decade:
Lufkin Industries: 806%
Precision Castparts: 660%
Ametek: 604%
Flowserve Corp.: 594%
PACCAR: 549%
Flowers Foods: 519%
BorgWarner: 482%
Church & Dwight: 477%
Rollins: 452%
EOG Resources: 424%
Not bad!
Here are ten big winners in that portfolio, showing their return over the last decade:
Lufkin Industries: 806%
Precision Castparts: 660%
Ametek: 604%
Flowserve Corp.: 594%
PACCAR: 549%
Flowers Foods: 519%
BorgWarner: 482%
Church & Dwight: 477%
Rollins: 452%
EOG Resources: 424%
Not bad!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
6 Habits That Keep Couples Happy
From match.com:
How is it that some couples seem to stay starry-eyed for years, and others let their sizzle, um… fizzle? Well, it appears that successful chemistry sustainers develop healthy coupled-up habits which allow them to keep their love alive and kicking. “People can have a lot of trouble staying close,” says Joyce Catlett, coauthor of Fear of Intimacy. “They get into relationships and think they’re automatically going to know how to make everything work, but figuring out how to stay passionate together is really a skill.” Luckily, they’re skills that anyone can learn. Here are six habits that you’d do well to adopt if you want your date to become your happily-ever-after mate.
Habit #1: Catch romance where you can
“You may start out with chocolates and roses, but the likelihood of being able to sustain that feeling with a busy schedule is pretty unlikely,” says JoAnn Magdoff, Ph.D., a New York City-based psychotherapist. Successful couples learn to build a bubble of romance at unexpected times — during their daily commute, while doing laundry — and in low-impact ways, whether that be a long, lingering smooch or just holding hands. In other words, the next time you hear yourself say “Oh, look, we’ve got 15 minutes to ourselves,” make use of it — that’s what keeps the spark alive.
Habit #2: Fight fair
Believe it or not, learning to fight right is an important part of keeping chemistry alive. Why? Because if you are constantly cutting each other down, it’s hard to feel mutually amorous. “There is no such thing as a relationship without disagreements,” says David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers. “But if there is an understanding that your partner can come to you with any dissension without being attacked, you will have an honest relationship comprised of ‘open discussions’ rather than ‘fights.’” Debra Tobias, who has been happily married for almost 10 years to her husband Steve, agrees. “Steve and I have learned to listen to each other when we’re upset and we admit when we’re wrong,” says Tobias. “We also make a rule of never, ever saying ‘I told you so’ no matter how much we might want to say it.” The result is that their chemistry doesn’t wane because they never let their arguments escalate to a personal level. Focus on the issue at hand instead of throwing verbal punches.
Habit #3: Nurture your separate selves
Going off to your book club when your sweetie’s out golfing isn’t a sign you two are drifting apart. On the contrary, developing individual interests allows for a richer life as a couple. By taking little “couple breaks,” you gain a greater appreciation of the gifts your partner brings to your life and you have more to offer as well. “It’s very attractive to be independent sometimes,” says Magdoff. “You feel better about yourself and you’re less demanding of your partner when you’re together.” After all, taking some personal responsibility for your own well-being relieves the other person of the pressure to “provide” happiness — so go ahead and nurture some solo adventures. That’ll also keep each of you stocked with plenty of adventures to chat about, which also builds your bond.
Habit #4: Take on a project together
Separate interests aside, exploring new ground together is also important since it strengthens your history of shared experiences. Jo Smith and her husband of four years found this out when they committed to running their first 10K together. “We were training together, carbo-loading and hydrating together, running the race together and ultimately succeeding together when we both finished,” says Smith. “It brought a whole new level of closeness to our relationship because of the time we spent learning as a duo during this endeavor.” Couples who take on adventures together get a sense of daring and accomplishment that can really kick up their chemistry!
Habit #5: Don’t let your physical attraction for each other dwindle
No doubt about it, couples with healthy libidos have no problem keeping chemistry cooking. (That whole “couples’ desire for each other naturally fades over time” excuse? Not true.) The trick to injecting more electricity into a lagging love life has to do with trying new things — sure, it can be easy to work on tricks and techniques when you first meet, but people’s preferences can, and do, change over time. “In interviewing people on the topic of physical intimacy, it became clear that the couples who were the most satisfied were also the ones who were open to some experimentation,” says Catlett. This isn’t to say you suddenly have to become a wild thing, though. Even returning to the basics you may have abandoned along the way — lots of kissing and eye contact, for example — can make the usual encounter feel very different… and much more intimate.
Habit #6: Engage in some mutual admiration
In order for chemistry between two people to thrive, there needs to be mutual respect. “It’s about putting yourself in the role of an observer of your partner,” says Magdoff. “Watch them ‘perform’ — I’m not saying they need to do a song and dance for you — just pay attention to the everyday things that remind you why you find them so special.” Then, make it a point to lob compliments their way. “A good exercise is to occasionally create a mental list of the qualities you dig about your partner, and to occasionally share one of your thoughts with the one you love,” says Wygant. Because the reality is, you’ll always want to be around someone who thinks you’re fantastic.
How is it that some couples seem to stay starry-eyed for years, and others let their sizzle, um… fizzle? Well, it appears that successful chemistry sustainers develop healthy coupled-up habits which allow them to keep their love alive and kicking. “People can have a lot of trouble staying close,” says Joyce Catlett, coauthor of Fear of Intimacy. “They get into relationships and think they’re automatically going to know how to make everything work, but figuring out how to stay passionate together is really a skill.” Luckily, they’re skills that anyone can learn. Here are six habits that you’d do well to adopt if you want your date to become your happily-ever-after mate.
Habit #1: Catch romance where you can
“You may start out with chocolates and roses, but the likelihood of being able to sustain that feeling with a busy schedule is pretty unlikely,” says JoAnn Magdoff, Ph.D., a New York City-based psychotherapist. Successful couples learn to build a bubble of romance at unexpected times — during their daily commute, while doing laundry — and in low-impact ways, whether that be a long, lingering smooch or just holding hands. In other words, the next time you hear yourself say “Oh, look, we’ve got 15 minutes to ourselves,” make use of it — that’s what keeps the spark alive.
Habit #2: Fight fair
Believe it or not, learning to fight right is an important part of keeping chemistry alive. Why? Because if you are constantly cutting each other down, it’s hard to feel mutually amorous. “There is no such thing as a relationship without disagreements,” says David Wygant, author of Always Talk to Strangers. “But if there is an understanding that your partner can come to you with any dissension without being attacked, you will have an honest relationship comprised of ‘open discussions’ rather than ‘fights.’” Debra Tobias, who has been happily married for almost 10 years to her husband Steve, agrees. “Steve and I have learned to listen to each other when we’re upset and we admit when we’re wrong,” says Tobias. “We also make a rule of never, ever saying ‘I told you so’ no matter how much we might want to say it.” The result is that their chemistry doesn’t wane because they never let their arguments escalate to a personal level. Focus on the issue at hand instead of throwing verbal punches.
Habit #3: Nurture your separate selves
Going off to your book club when your sweetie’s out golfing isn’t a sign you two are drifting apart. On the contrary, developing individual interests allows for a richer life as a couple. By taking little “couple breaks,” you gain a greater appreciation of the gifts your partner brings to your life and you have more to offer as well. “It’s very attractive to be independent sometimes,” says Magdoff. “You feel better about yourself and you’re less demanding of your partner when you’re together.” After all, taking some personal responsibility for your own well-being relieves the other person of the pressure to “provide” happiness — so go ahead and nurture some solo adventures. That’ll also keep each of you stocked with plenty of adventures to chat about, which also builds your bond.
Habit #4: Take on a project together
Separate interests aside, exploring new ground together is also important since it strengthens your history of shared experiences. Jo Smith and her husband of four years found this out when they committed to running their first 10K together. “We were training together, carbo-loading and hydrating together, running the race together and ultimately succeeding together when we both finished,” says Smith. “It brought a whole new level of closeness to our relationship because of the time we spent learning as a duo during this endeavor.” Couples who take on adventures together get a sense of daring and accomplishment that can really kick up their chemistry!
Habit #5: Don’t let your physical attraction for each other dwindle
No doubt about it, couples with healthy libidos have no problem keeping chemistry cooking. (That whole “couples’ desire for each other naturally fades over time” excuse? Not true.) The trick to injecting more electricity into a lagging love life has to do with trying new things — sure, it can be easy to work on tricks and techniques when you first meet, but people’s preferences can, and do, change over time. “In interviewing people on the topic of physical intimacy, it became clear that the couples who were the most satisfied were also the ones who were open to some experimentation,” says Catlett. This isn’t to say you suddenly have to become a wild thing, though. Even returning to the basics you may have abandoned along the way — lots of kissing and eye contact, for example — can make the usual encounter feel very different… and much more intimate.
Habit #6: Engage in some mutual admiration
In order for chemistry between two people to thrive, there needs to be mutual respect. “It’s about putting yourself in the role of an observer of your partner,” says Magdoff. “Watch them ‘perform’ — I’m not saying they need to do a song and dance for you — just pay attention to the everyday things that remind you why you find them so special.” Then, make it a point to lob compliments their way. “A good exercise is to occasionally create a mental list of the qualities you dig about your partner, and to occasionally share one of your thoughts with the one you love,” says Wygant. Because the reality is, you’ll always want to be around someone who thinks you’re fantastic.
High/Low Week 40, 2010
This week stirred up a few rough patches, and I did a better job of reflecting on them.
With teaching as my self-assessed greatest strength, it's a flashpoint when someone doesn't understand what I'm talking about. That happened separately with both a direct report of mine at the office, and also from a manager who contradicts my work product too often for my taste. Coming away, I analogized to those humiliating moments on the basketball court when I'm stripped of the dribble - a harmless combination of my own fault and the circumstances of the other party; unrepresentative of the player I am overall. I just need to get there as an immediate instinct, rather than on the backside of some burning.
Facing the unknown is another trough of emotional slop. I received a call about the condominium lien I'd invested a fair amount of time in previously. Had I misunderstood the effects? As it turns out, no. Still, it gave rise to some inner tumult overnight in the midst of an enjoyable vacation to that point. The effective mantra of "everything's gonna be all right" slipped away a few too many times for satisfaction these last seven days.
As usual, lots went right.
Despite the potholes at work, we reached a significant and successful milestone in developing a new product, culminating in a pair of executive agreements in a ten-minute span just before I departed for...
The B-52's concert was a true gift of an experience, as we ran into some good friends there and had a terrific time moving and occasionally dancing to the oldies.
The highlight was Dena's Kiwanian of the Year award. Some flowers flourish and are seen to bloom only occasionally. Dena's tireless and silent devotion to others blossomed deservedly and unexpectedly here, rising above ten other nominees.
The meeting with Coach Short was smooth, upbeat and encouraging. My mind has started to drift toward tryouts in the way that opening day seeps into the consciousness of fantasy baseball fans. (And, by the way, fantasy basketball season rests just around the corner.) Meanwhile, post-season baseball has brought a package of exciting moments, all captured and viewed leisurely on DVR.
Today I sit in breezy warm afternoon climes. Listening to the Bears put away another unlikely win. Taking in the earthy aroma of freshly-cut grass and seeing the afternoon sunlight fall on multi-colored trees through the window. Reclining on the couch at the conclusion of a relaxing 4-day weekend. Looking forward to an evening with family, and another successful week ahead.
With teaching as my self-assessed greatest strength, it's a flashpoint when someone doesn't understand what I'm talking about. That happened separately with both a direct report of mine at the office, and also from a manager who contradicts my work product too often for my taste. Coming away, I analogized to those humiliating moments on the basketball court when I'm stripped of the dribble - a harmless combination of my own fault and the circumstances of the other party; unrepresentative of the player I am overall. I just need to get there as an immediate instinct, rather than on the backside of some burning.
Facing the unknown is another trough of emotional slop. I received a call about the condominium lien I'd invested a fair amount of time in previously. Had I misunderstood the effects? As it turns out, no. Still, it gave rise to some inner tumult overnight in the midst of an enjoyable vacation to that point. The effective mantra of "everything's gonna be all right" slipped away a few too many times for satisfaction these last seven days.
As usual, lots went right.
Despite the potholes at work, we reached a significant and successful milestone in developing a new product, culminating in a pair of executive agreements in a ten-minute span just before I departed for...
The B-52's concert was a true gift of an experience, as we ran into some good friends there and had a terrific time moving and occasionally dancing to the oldies.
The highlight was Dena's Kiwanian of the Year award. Some flowers flourish and are seen to bloom only occasionally. Dena's tireless and silent devotion to others blossomed deservedly and unexpectedly here, rising above ten other nominees.
The meeting with Coach Short was smooth, upbeat and encouraging. My mind has started to drift toward tryouts in the way that opening day seeps into the consciousness of fantasy baseball fans. (And, by the way, fantasy basketball season rests just around the corner.) Meanwhile, post-season baseball has brought a package of exciting moments, all captured and viewed leisurely on DVR.
Today I sit in breezy warm afternoon climes. Listening to the Bears put away another unlikely win. Taking in the earthy aroma of freshly-cut grass and seeing the afternoon sunlight fall on multi-colored trees through the window. Reclining on the couch at the conclusion of a relaxing 4-day weekend. Looking forward to an evening with family, and another successful week ahead.
Catholic Church Announces Changes To Target Youthful Market
Citing a trend of increasing priest ages exceeding that of the general population, the Catholic church released worldwide announcement through its Sunday pulpits to modernize the faith in hopes of capturing the elusive young adult demographic.
None was more significant than the renaming of the highest office, as shared by Big Daddy Benedict from Rome.
"The days of the Holy Father have passed, as Christ once did," he explained. "The era of 'Overarching Pastor' has arrived."
"None of this happens without the support of Pops," said former Cardinal and current Tweetmaster Giovanni Pascual. "He texts me like every hour about someone else telling him how awesome this is."
The ceremonies now known as "concerts" rather than Masses began the transition period with predictably awkward results, as "papas" and their "candle posses" performed the dance routines with less than a week of rehearsal while the faithful adapted to new lyrics, instruments and tempo.
"I haven't dressed this indifferently since the 60's," said ex-choir conductor and current bassist Ron "Dawg" Carriage. "But if it means bringing more young people into the church and closer to God, I'll dye my hair like this every week."
It will take several weeks to determine the effectiveness of the changes, as existing members decide for themselves whether or not to stay or go, and a new generation decides whether to come or stay away. The early results were tempered enough to encourage. Only limited casualties came from scattered reports of dislocated hips and allergic reactions to the mid-service snack buffets. At a few "hangouts" such as Bonaventure's Place (formerly St. Bonaventure's parish) in Escondido, Spain, logistical gaffes failed to suppress choice phrases from Benassi's entrance theme "Who's Your Daddy?"
Undoubtedly church leaders hope to hear more testimony like 22-year old Jamie Skiles of Boulder, Colorado after the noon concert at Peter's Crib. "I'm not much of a reader, but it's cool to hear Bible verses in Taylor Swift's voice," gesturing to her iPod. "I've got a couple friends who downloaded the Godcasts from the Facebook page too. It's just easier to invite people now that it's different from Grandma's days."
None was more significant than the renaming of the highest office, as shared by Big Daddy Benedict from Rome.
"The days of the Holy Father have passed, as Christ once did," he explained. "The era of 'Overarching Pastor' has arrived."
"None of this happens without the support of Pops," said former Cardinal and current Tweetmaster Giovanni Pascual. "He texts me like every hour about someone else telling him how awesome this is."
The ceremonies now known as "concerts" rather than Masses began the transition period with predictably awkward results, as "papas" and their "candle posses" performed the dance routines with less than a week of rehearsal while the faithful adapted to new lyrics, instruments and tempo.
"I haven't dressed this indifferently since the 60's," said ex-choir conductor and current bassist Ron "Dawg" Carriage. "But if it means bringing more young people into the church and closer to God, I'll dye my hair like this every week."
It will take several weeks to determine the effectiveness of the changes, as existing members decide for themselves whether or not to stay or go, and a new generation decides whether to come or stay away. The early results were tempered enough to encourage. Only limited casualties came from scattered reports of dislocated hips and allergic reactions to the mid-service snack buffets. At a few "hangouts" such as Bonaventure's Place (formerly St. Bonaventure's parish) in Escondido, Spain, logistical gaffes failed to suppress choice phrases from Benassi's entrance theme "Who's Your Daddy?"
Undoubtedly church leaders hope to hear more testimony like 22-year old Jamie Skiles of Boulder, Colorado after the noon concert at Peter's Crib. "I'm not much of a reader, but it's cool to hear Bible verses in Taylor Swift's voice," gesturing to her iPod. "I've got a couple friends who downloaded the Godcasts from the Facebook page too. It's just easier to invite people now that it's different from Grandma's days."
Saturday, October 9, 2010
New Species Of Mammal Discovered In Central Illinois
Scientists on Saturday announced the discovery of a new category of mammalian creatures in Normal, Illinois.
DNA composition tests indicated that the species tentatively named "Combatus schizophrenius" would reach a maximum height of four feet, though no specimens were found older than 8 years of age. Studies involving piles of delicate stuff revealed superb land speed, leaping and climbing ability, and stamina. They have opposable thumbs, displaying marginal dexterity, strategic thinking, learning capacity and concentration when placed in front of video game consoles.
"Their sustenance is what sets them apart from their human biological cousins," said associate anthropologist Lacey Eye. "Their diet classifies them as a scavenging breed - sugars, apples, fast food and the like. Socially, their survival depends upon manufacturing conflict. When in pairs, their happiness is a zero-sum game. Occasionally they co-exist in a neutral state while transfixed by Disney programming. Otherwise, theirs is a continuously shifting balance of domination, with one feasting merrily upon the others' distress. The compulsion to choose the path of greatest resistance is insatiable. For example, both may want McDonald's food, but if one verbalizes the desire then the other must choose spaghetti. If one is sitting contentedly upon an uncle's shoulders, the other must spank her. If one expresses a desire to play a game of Asteroid, the other will vote for another game. If left unobserved, they either physically attack each other or emit cries of pain as if so. Unfortunately, we were without the technology to verify the reality there."
The researchers looked weary and relieved during the press conference, sharing gallows humor with reporters in indicating that Combatus is not native to Normal, but dwells primarily in rural areas and had been returned to the wild.
DNA composition tests indicated that the species tentatively named "Combatus schizophrenius" would reach a maximum height of four feet, though no specimens were found older than 8 years of age. Studies involving piles of delicate stuff revealed superb land speed, leaping and climbing ability, and stamina. They have opposable thumbs, displaying marginal dexterity, strategic thinking, learning capacity and concentration when placed in front of video game consoles.
"Their sustenance is what sets them apart from their human biological cousins," said associate anthropologist Lacey Eye. "Their diet classifies them as a scavenging breed - sugars, apples, fast food and the like. Socially, their survival depends upon manufacturing conflict. When in pairs, their happiness is a zero-sum game. Occasionally they co-exist in a neutral state while transfixed by Disney programming. Otherwise, theirs is a continuously shifting balance of domination, with one feasting merrily upon the others' distress. The compulsion to choose the path of greatest resistance is insatiable. For example, both may want McDonald's food, but if one verbalizes the desire then the other must choose spaghetti. If one is sitting contentedly upon an uncle's shoulders, the other must spank her. If one expresses a desire to play a game of Asteroid, the other will vote for another game. If left unobserved, they either physically attack each other or emit cries of pain as if so. Unfortunately, we were without the technology to verify the reality there."
The researchers looked weary and relieved during the press conference, sharing gallows humor with reporters in indicating that Combatus is not native to Normal, but dwells primarily in rural areas and had been returned to the wild.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Five Questions — And Answers — About Facebook Groups
From Yahoo! News:
Another week, another Facebook controversy — this time, over the site’s just-relaunched "Groups" feature, which lets you create instant private or public spaces for your friends, co-workers, fellow hobbyists, you name it.
Personally, I think the idea behind the new Groups feature is an excellent one. By designating smaller circles of friends within your overall list of Facebook pals (which, for some online social butterflies, can easily run into the thousands), you can post updates, photos, videos, and URLs to your individual subsets without bothering everyone on Facebook with the minutiae of, say, your breakfast menu, or how quickly you crossed the finish line in your latest half-marathon.
Indeed, I might start actually posting to Facebook again now that I’ve created a tiny group of friends (three, to be exact) who (a) I trust, and (b) won’t be annoyed by any pointless musings that I'll be tacking onto our wall. (Uh, guys — you don’t mind, right?)
But it didn’t take long for a controversy to flare up: namely, the fact that your Facebook friends can add you to any group they so choose — as long as they’re already members of said group — without your permission.
Why did Facebook make Groups go the "opt-out" rather than "opt-in" way? "To make the product simple" is the official line. Another likely reason for the policy, I’m guesssing, is that it encourages the rapid growth of ... well, new groups. Without the necessity of waiting for invitees to accept an invite, Facebook’s groups are free to grow quickly and exponentially. The more — and bigger — groups there are, the more Facebook members will use them — and that’ll make groups more attractive to app developers and advertisers. Hey, that’s business, like it or not.
Of course, the downside is that you might find yourself suddenly signed up into a Facebook group (or groups) you hadn’t bargained for, such as the "Underwater Basket-weavers of America," with your inbox suddenly flooded with email notifications for each and every snapshot, comment, and update posted to the collective group wall.
That’s a side-effect I’d count as more of an annoyance than anything else, although there’s always the more worrisome possibility that one of your frenemies will add you to a group of a more, ah, unsavory nature.
So, here are five questions — and answers — for how to weather the current Facebook Groups storm (or tempest in a teapot, depending on how you look at it).
1. Who can add me to a Facebook group?
Not just anyone can add you to a group — in fact, only someone who’s already one of your Facebook friends can do so. Still, it’s a bit disturbing that any of your Facebook friends can add you to, say, the "Bald Eagle Hunters Club" without getting your permission.
Then again, your friend would already have to be a "BEHC" member before he or she could invite you to the group ... and besides, who is this so-called friend, anyway? Indeed, the story that sparked this whole debate about the Groups feature involves someone with more than 4,000 Facebook friends. I don’t think I’ve even met 4,000 people in my 41 years on Planet Earth, much less know 4,000 people whom I’d be willing to "friend" on Facebook.
Suggestion: If you’re seriously worried about people adding you to groups that you’d rather not be a member of, maybe it’s time to pare down your Facebook friends list, starting with anyone who added you to a group you didn’t want to be a member of. The "Remove from Friends" button can be, in fact, your friend.
2. How do I leave a group — and prevent someone from adding me again?
Wait — so, you didn’t want to be a member of the "Underwater Basket-weavers of America"? Just visit the group page, click on the "Leave Group" link under the list of members, and you’re outta there — simple. After that, no one will be able to re-add you to the group in question without your explicit permission.
3. But even if I remove myself from a group, won’t the fact that I got added in the first place pop up in my Facebook news feed, for all to see?
Yep, you’re right. You can always delete the notification from your wall, but that won’t stop your Facebook friends or other users (depending on your privacy settings) from seeing the update before you were able to delete it.
One proactive (if extreme) measure, is to deny the Groups app permission to publish stories to your wall; just click on Account on the top-right of the Facebook interface, then select Application Settings. Find the Groups app, click Edit Settings, then click the "Additional Permissions" tab (almost there), and, finally, uncheck the box that reads "publish content to my wall."
4. How do I cut down on all these email notifications from my groups?
Getting inundated with a flood of email messages every time someone posts a "Cute photo!" comment onto a group snapshot can quickly grow tiresome. If you’d like to keep your inbox as uncluttered as possible, just tweak your Groups notification settings: Visit the specific group page, click the "Edit Settings button" in the upper-left-hand corner of the page, and select the radio button next to the option you prefer (for example, you can get a notification each and every time a member posts or comments, only when a friend posts, or only when someone comments on one of your posts). You can also visit the email notification page in your privacy settings and turn off all notifications if you wish.
5. Can the other members in my new group see all my Facebook info?
So, the worst has happened: Your now ex-friend just added you to the "Bald Eagle Hunters Club," and all of a sudden you’re unwillingly mingling with a bunch of ... well, people you wouldn’t normally invite over for tea. Since you’re in a group with these guys, do they now have access to all your Facebook info?
Here’s the good news: not if you’ve limited access to your profile in Facebook’s privacy settings. If you’ve restricted your updates, photos, and personal data to "friends only," your fellow "Bald Eagle" members won’t be able to see anything about you except your publicly accessible profile info (which, again, you can customize in your privacy settings).
On the other hand, if your privacy settings allow anyone and everyone to see your Facebook info, other, non-friend members in your new Group will be able see your data too — then again, they already could, even before you (unwittingly or not) joined the group.
Bonus: What can I do to ensure my privacy is completely secure in a group — or on Facebook in general?
You probably already know all this, but it bears repeating in light of the new Groups controversy: Facebook isn’t about keeping your personal info safe. It’s a (for-profit) business that does everything it can to get people to share their personal information. That’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact.
If you’re really worried about your privacy on Facebook, please — don’t post your personal details, photos, videos, street addresses, or phone numbers on Facebook. Seriously! It might even be time to delete your account, or just don’t join at all. Trust me, you’ll still be able to make friends in the real world.
But if you still want to be on Facebook, you’ll have to accept the fact that you’re putting your personal information in Facebook’s hands. Don’t trust Facebook — or your friends on Facebook, for that matter? Then maybe Facebook isn’t for you.
Another week, another Facebook controversy — this time, over the site’s just-relaunched "Groups" feature, which lets you create instant private or public spaces for your friends, co-workers, fellow hobbyists, you name it.
Personally, I think the idea behind the new Groups feature is an excellent one. By designating smaller circles of friends within your overall list of Facebook pals (which, for some online social butterflies, can easily run into the thousands), you can post updates, photos, videos, and URLs to your individual subsets without bothering everyone on Facebook with the minutiae of, say, your breakfast menu, or how quickly you crossed the finish line in your latest half-marathon.
Indeed, I might start actually posting to Facebook again now that I’ve created a tiny group of friends (three, to be exact) who (a) I trust, and (b) won’t be annoyed by any pointless musings that I'll be tacking onto our wall. (Uh, guys — you don’t mind, right?)
But it didn’t take long for a controversy to flare up: namely, the fact that your Facebook friends can add you to any group they so choose — as long as they’re already members of said group — without your permission.
Why did Facebook make Groups go the "opt-out" rather than "opt-in" way? "To make the product simple" is the official line. Another likely reason for the policy, I’m guesssing, is that it encourages the rapid growth of ... well, new groups. Without the necessity of waiting for invitees to accept an invite, Facebook’s groups are free to grow quickly and exponentially. The more — and bigger — groups there are, the more Facebook members will use them — and that’ll make groups more attractive to app developers and advertisers. Hey, that’s business, like it or not.
Of course, the downside is that you might find yourself suddenly signed up into a Facebook group (or groups) you hadn’t bargained for, such as the "Underwater Basket-weavers of America," with your inbox suddenly flooded with email notifications for each and every snapshot, comment, and update posted to the collective group wall.
That’s a side-effect I’d count as more of an annoyance than anything else, although there’s always the more worrisome possibility that one of your frenemies will add you to a group of a more, ah, unsavory nature.
So, here are five questions — and answers — for how to weather the current Facebook Groups storm (or tempest in a teapot, depending on how you look at it).
1. Who can add me to a Facebook group?
Not just anyone can add you to a group — in fact, only someone who’s already one of your Facebook friends can do so. Still, it’s a bit disturbing that any of your Facebook friends can add you to, say, the "Bald Eagle Hunters Club" without getting your permission.
Then again, your friend would already have to be a "BEHC" member before he or she could invite you to the group ... and besides, who is this so-called friend, anyway? Indeed, the story that sparked this whole debate about the Groups feature involves someone with more than 4,000 Facebook friends. I don’t think I’ve even met 4,000 people in my 41 years on Planet Earth, much less know 4,000 people whom I’d be willing to "friend" on Facebook.
Suggestion: If you’re seriously worried about people adding you to groups that you’d rather not be a member of, maybe it’s time to pare down your Facebook friends list, starting with anyone who added you to a group you didn’t want to be a member of. The "Remove from Friends" button can be, in fact, your friend.
2. How do I leave a group — and prevent someone from adding me again?
Wait — so, you didn’t want to be a member of the "Underwater Basket-weavers of America"? Just visit the group page, click on the "Leave Group" link under the list of members, and you’re outta there — simple. After that, no one will be able to re-add you to the group in question without your explicit permission.
3. But even if I remove myself from a group, won’t the fact that I got added in the first place pop up in my Facebook news feed, for all to see?
Yep, you’re right. You can always delete the notification from your wall, but that won’t stop your Facebook friends or other users (depending on your privacy settings) from seeing the update before you were able to delete it.
One proactive (if extreme) measure, is to deny the Groups app permission to publish stories to your wall; just click on Account on the top-right of the Facebook interface, then select Application Settings. Find the Groups app, click Edit Settings, then click the "Additional Permissions" tab (almost there), and, finally, uncheck the box that reads "publish content to my wall."
4. How do I cut down on all these email notifications from my groups?
Getting inundated with a flood of email messages every time someone posts a "Cute photo!" comment onto a group snapshot can quickly grow tiresome. If you’d like to keep your inbox as uncluttered as possible, just tweak your Groups notification settings: Visit the specific group page, click the "Edit Settings button" in the upper-left-hand corner of the page, and select the radio button next to the option you prefer (for example, you can get a notification each and every time a member posts or comments, only when a friend posts, or only when someone comments on one of your posts). You can also visit the email notification page in your privacy settings and turn off all notifications if you wish.
5. Can the other members in my new group see all my Facebook info?
So, the worst has happened: Your now ex-friend just added you to the "Bald Eagle Hunters Club," and all of a sudden you’re unwillingly mingling with a bunch of ... well, people you wouldn’t normally invite over for tea. Since you’re in a group with these guys, do they now have access to all your Facebook info?
Here’s the good news: not if you’ve limited access to your profile in Facebook’s privacy settings. If you’ve restricted your updates, photos, and personal data to "friends only," your fellow "Bald Eagle" members won’t be able to see anything about you except your publicly accessible profile info (which, again, you can customize in your privacy settings).
On the other hand, if your privacy settings allow anyone and everyone to see your Facebook info, other, non-friend members in your new Group will be able see your data too — then again, they already could, even before you (unwittingly or not) joined the group.
Bonus: What can I do to ensure my privacy is completely secure in a group — or on Facebook in general?
You probably already know all this, but it bears repeating in light of the new Groups controversy: Facebook isn’t about keeping your personal info safe. It’s a (for-profit) business that does everything it can to get people to share their personal information. That’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact.
If you’re really worried about your privacy on Facebook, please — don’t post your personal details, photos, videos, street addresses, or phone numbers on Facebook. Seriously! It might even be time to delete your account, or just don’t join at all. Trust me, you’ll still be able to make friends in the real world.
But if you still want to be on Facebook, you’ll have to accept the fact that you’re putting your personal information in Facebook’s hands. Don’t trust Facebook — or your friends on Facebook, for that matter? Then maybe Facebook isn’t for you.
Stars Turning 40 In 2010
How can this list include 25 Musicians and Hotties and not include Dena? Someone needs to check their facts.
Philosophy Class
Yesterday embarked the most recent leg of New Year's resolution pursuit, as I met with Coach Short to talk about the upcoming NCHS sophomore boys' basketball season.
Coach Short and I go back more than fifteen years to our days at Illinois State's Walker Hall, home of underground golfing and subterranean Tecmo Bowl tournaments. This year our players will be human rather than electronic sims, and the goals are a shade different - playing the right way is more important than winning. Coach Wooden would agree.
Coach is a counselor at the school for the first time this year, graduating from a dozen years as a history teacher. He looks completely at ease behind a desk and its large size calendar, where I see my name jotted for today's appointment. Eagerly we get to it, and briefly varsity assistant Coach Schweinberg drops in to share some intel.
Tryouts this year start November 8th, and typically we keep 10-12 players on the roster. One or two sophomores might be up on varsity, one or two freshmen might come up to join us. (It turns out that Coach Foster, the only other paid staff, will coach the freshmen this year.)
Open gym is already under way for non-fall athletes, has been since September. Since they're held right after school, it's unlikely that I'll be sitting in. Apparently and fortunately (as expected), there has been some maturation of a couple players from last year's freshmen team.
The schedule is a driver's dream come true. Check out these away games;
12/4/10: Bradley Bourbonnais
1/15-17/11: Rockton (tournament)
1/22: Moline
2/5: O'Fallon
The last three are all more than two hours away. I realize that my employer's volunteer grant program will be easily met - a 40 hour minimum that I'll probably reach through all the road travel on its own.
Like last year, there will be advance practice plans, and occasional need for shirt/tie at games. Unlike last year, we'll sit at the end of the bench rather than in the middle. Rather than being assigned to coach the posts, I'll be more of a gofer. It will be a good year to apprentice, with apparently few real decisions to make and plenty of time to focus on the fundamentals of the program. There will be plenty to glean - drills, philosophy, tendencies, pitfalls. There will also be a new offense for the entire outfit to learn, coaches included.
The countdown is on. Thirty-one days until tryouts, 49 before the first game.
Coach Short and I go back more than fifteen years to our days at Illinois State's Walker Hall, home of underground golfing and subterranean Tecmo Bowl tournaments. This year our players will be human rather than electronic sims, and the goals are a shade different - playing the right way is more important than winning. Coach Wooden would agree.
Coach is a counselor at the school for the first time this year, graduating from a dozen years as a history teacher. He looks completely at ease behind a desk and its large size calendar, where I see my name jotted for today's appointment. Eagerly we get to it, and briefly varsity assistant Coach Schweinberg drops in to share some intel.
Tryouts this year start November 8th, and typically we keep 10-12 players on the roster. One or two sophomores might be up on varsity, one or two freshmen might come up to join us. (It turns out that Coach Foster, the only other paid staff, will coach the freshmen this year.)
Open gym is already under way for non-fall athletes, has been since September. Since they're held right after school, it's unlikely that I'll be sitting in. Apparently and fortunately (as expected), there has been some maturation of a couple players from last year's freshmen team.
The schedule is a driver's dream come true. Check out these away games;
12/4/10: Bradley Bourbonnais
1/15-17/11: Rockton (tournament)
1/22: Moline
2/5: O'Fallon
The last three are all more than two hours away. I realize that my employer's volunteer grant program will be easily met - a 40 hour minimum that I'll probably reach through all the road travel on its own.
Like last year, there will be advance practice plans, and occasional need for shirt/tie at games. Unlike last year, we'll sit at the end of the bench rather than in the middle. Rather than being assigned to coach the posts, I'll be more of a gofer. It will be a good year to apprentice, with apparently few real decisions to make and plenty of time to focus on the fundamentals of the program. There will be plenty to glean - drills, philosophy, tendencies, pitfalls. There will also be a new offense for the entire outfit to learn, coaches included.
The countdown is on. Thirty-one days until tryouts, 49 before the first game.
Kiwanian Of The Year
Last night was the annual dinner of the Normal Kiwanis Club. Time to announce the progression of officers amidst a light program and buffet-style feast at the Ozark House restaurant.
Dena was promoted from Vice President to President-Elect, as expected.
What was unexpected?
She won the Kiwanian of the Year award!
See previous post. I guess there's a fifth step in Volunteers Anonymous.
Congratulations baby!
Dena was promoted from Vice President to President-Elect, as expected.
What was unexpected?
She won the Kiwanian of the Year award!
See previous post. I guess there's a fifth step in Volunteers Anonymous.
Congratulations baby!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Volunteers Anonymous
"Stop me before I volunteer again." - Motto, Volunteers Anonymous
The VA motto is emblazoned on a set of Post-It Notes that were given to Dena as a gift. She accepted it. This is Step One.
Step Two is admission.
Not that she's ever denied committing a hundred hours to the Great Banquet retreat, or its spinoff prison ministry. Or working the food drive at church, or serving as greeter. Or driving out to niece/nephew sporting events, or hosting them for a day. Or working the Kiwanis Peanut Days, or developing the brochure for its annual conference, or attending its weekly meetings... or serving as its President-Elect.
Step Three is continuing to do it anyway.
Step Four is probably a free pass to heaven.
The VA motto is emblazoned on a set of Post-It Notes that were given to Dena as a gift. She accepted it. This is Step One.
Step Two is admission.
Not that she's ever denied committing a hundred hours to the Great Banquet retreat, or its spinoff prison ministry. Or working the food drive at church, or serving as greeter. Or driving out to niece/nephew sporting events, or hosting them for a day. Or working the Kiwanis Peanut Days, or developing the brochure for its annual conference, or attending its weekly meetings... or serving as its President-Elect.
Step Three is continuing to do it anyway.
Step Four is probably a free pass to heaven.
B-52's
If you ask me to name my favorite bands, I might come up with ten names. The B-52's would be one. And last night we saw them from eight rows away at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.
Bless her heart, Dena actually spotted the advertisement first a few weeks ago. (Side note for future attendees: Don't fret - yes, the seats at the BCPA are non-sequentially numbered. Therefore, Dena and I were side-by-side in seats 6 and 8 in our row).
The lights fell and the cheers rose. Into the shadows of the stage emerged four of the original band members and a few highly skilled instrumentalists (including a female bass player and a shades-wearing hyperactive drummer).
Such a unique sound. If you've YouTubed them, you know the cast. Blonde-haired Cindy Wilson and redheaded Kate Pierson used to strut major coiffed hairdos (which actually is the basis for the band's name, which is Southern slang for that bouffant style). Their melodic voices were as fluid and rangy as 25 years ago. Fred Strickland (also labeled loosely - extremely loosely - as a percussionist for his occasional striking of various hand-held instruments) provides that sharp nasally staccato voice that punctuates the music easily.
The crowd rose to its feet shortly after the 8:30 kickoff, then settled mostly back into their seats, head-bobbing with the gusto you'd expect from a white Midwestern audience ranging from twentysomethings through sixtysomethings. Over time, a cluster of ladies danced their way up to the front, waving their arms rhythmically like stereotypical beach partygoers.
A few signature pieces brought the audience to full throat. Deadbeat Club. Roam. Then the 20-million album band got the whole place on its feet with Love Shack to end the performance. That is, except for the encore, where they trotted out Planet Claire and Rock Lobster before giving heartfelt thanks and slowly filing off stage.
With some people you can just sense a humility and genuine joy. Kate had that vibe to me. And their stage chemistry was like the group of old friends that they are. "Old" is meant kindly here - they decided to start the band in October 1976, which means that despite playing much of the same repertoire for nearly 35 years on the road, they still bring youthful energy to the stage. It's overwhelming to think of how they come up with the guitar riffs and lyrics they do. Sometimes it comes across like a stream-of-consciousness collection of random observations, ranging from Mesopotamian times to the year 3000.
What a shot of adrenaline and spirit! If they pass this way again, we may find ourselves right at their feet. Hmmm, I wonder if they need any roadies?
Bless her heart, Dena actually spotted the advertisement first a few weeks ago. (Side note for future attendees: Don't fret - yes, the seats at the BCPA are non-sequentially numbered. Therefore, Dena and I were side-by-side in seats 6 and 8 in our row).
The lights fell and the cheers rose. Into the shadows of the stage emerged four of the original band members and a few highly skilled instrumentalists (including a female bass player and a shades-wearing hyperactive drummer).
Such a unique sound. If you've YouTubed them, you know the cast. Blonde-haired Cindy Wilson and redheaded Kate Pierson used to strut major coiffed hairdos (which actually is the basis for the band's name, which is Southern slang for that bouffant style). Their melodic voices were as fluid and rangy as 25 years ago. Fred Strickland (also labeled loosely - extremely loosely - as a percussionist for his occasional striking of various hand-held instruments) provides that sharp nasally staccato voice that punctuates the music easily.
The crowd rose to its feet shortly after the 8:30 kickoff, then settled mostly back into their seats, head-bobbing with the gusto you'd expect from a white Midwestern audience ranging from twentysomethings through sixtysomethings. Over time, a cluster of ladies danced their way up to the front, waving their arms rhythmically like stereotypical beach partygoers.
A few signature pieces brought the audience to full throat. Deadbeat Club. Roam. Then the 20-million album band got the whole place on its feet with Love Shack to end the performance. That is, except for the encore, where they trotted out Planet Claire and Rock Lobster before giving heartfelt thanks and slowly filing off stage.
With some people you can just sense a humility and genuine joy. Kate had that vibe to me. And their stage chemistry was like the group of old friends that they are. "Old" is meant kindly here - they decided to start the band in October 1976, which means that despite playing much of the same repertoire for nearly 35 years on the road, they still bring youthful energy to the stage. It's overwhelming to think of how they come up with the guitar riffs and lyrics they do. Sometimes it comes across like a stream-of-consciousness collection of random observations, ranging from Mesopotamian times to the year 3000.
What a shot of adrenaline and spirit! If they pass this way again, we may find ourselves right at their feet. Hmmm, I wonder if they need any roadies?
Paying A Complement
One of the items that enhances the salability of a condominium complex is uniformity in appearance. At least, that's what the realtors tell us.
No one who's roomed with me would doubt that I can handle uniformity. Perhaps too well. The full extent of wall decoration in my freshman college dorm was a medicine ball. My roommate's medicine ball. He was in good shape. He eventually went to West Point. And they probably would have liked me too, given that a lack of tasteful and soothing home furnishings is absolutely unnecessary.
Trying to conform a bit in sophomore year, I grabbed a handful of discarded B-movie posters from Blockbuster and slapped them on my walls. I was teased mercilessly, not to mention deservedly.
My condo was about 18 years old when I bought it. So was the living room paint. And it stayed that way all through the rest of my bachelordom. Aside from a smattering of quite tasteful family photos, there was nothing to distract the visitor from the yellowing white expanse. And still Dena married me. Heck maybe it was because of that, that she married me.
Now my home is admired by most all who visit it. Fresh, bold, rainbow colors are stippled throughout. Shapely, pleasing creative decor adorns every wall. Modest plant life and scented candles accent the experience. Bonus when she has a pot or a pan of something under construction in the kitchen.
This moxie for aesthetics is why I ask her opinion on the uniformity issue.
As you nearly exit the driveway, you'll see a unit overrun with flowers. The design is intentional and barely contained from splashing out onto the sidewalk. Nary an inch is spared. Statuary from the orient and the occasional wind chime complete the motif. Better Homes & Gardens magazine probably would not stop by to hand out an award, though Popular Science might do a story on the display's mind-boggling density.
In my mind, this is prime candidate #1 to be reigned in by uniformity rules - the line is too fine between "abundant" and "trashy." Dena disagrees. Individuality is good! Who wants to live in a place devoid of it?
There are times when disagreement is a beautiful thing. This is one of those times. Now when I drive by that unit, I see a boon to the community. I turn down the volume on the left side of my brain screaming against the mess. We're all deficient in something, and one of mine is artistic appreciation. So God gave me a live-in expert to complement life. Whether or not I'm rich, I can rest assured that I'll never be fashion-poor with Dena by my side!
No one who's roomed with me would doubt that I can handle uniformity. Perhaps too well. The full extent of wall decoration in my freshman college dorm was a medicine ball. My roommate's medicine ball. He was in good shape. He eventually went to West Point. And they probably would have liked me too, given that a lack of tasteful and soothing home furnishings is absolutely unnecessary.
Trying to conform a bit in sophomore year, I grabbed a handful of discarded B-movie posters from Blockbuster and slapped them on my walls. I was teased mercilessly, not to mention deservedly.
My condo was about 18 years old when I bought it. So was the living room paint. And it stayed that way all through the rest of my bachelordom. Aside from a smattering of quite tasteful family photos, there was nothing to distract the visitor from the yellowing white expanse. And still Dena married me. Heck maybe it was because of that, that she married me.
Now my home is admired by most all who visit it. Fresh, bold, rainbow colors are stippled throughout. Shapely, pleasing creative decor adorns every wall. Modest plant life and scented candles accent the experience. Bonus when she has a pot or a pan of something under construction in the kitchen.
This moxie for aesthetics is why I ask her opinion on the uniformity issue.
As you nearly exit the driveway, you'll see a unit overrun with flowers. The design is intentional and barely contained from splashing out onto the sidewalk. Nary an inch is spared. Statuary from the orient and the occasional wind chime complete the motif. Better Homes & Gardens magazine probably would not stop by to hand out an award, though Popular Science might do a story on the display's mind-boggling density.
In my mind, this is prime candidate #1 to be reigned in by uniformity rules - the line is too fine between "abundant" and "trashy." Dena disagrees. Individuality is good! Who wants to live in a place devoid of it?
There are times when disagreement is a beautiful thing. This is one of those times. Now when I drive by that unit, I see a boon to the community. I turn down the volume on the left side of my brain screaming against the mess. We're all deficient in something, and one of mine is artistic appreciation. So God gave me a live-in expert to complement life. Whether or not I'm rich, I can rest assured that I'll never be fashion-poor with Dena by my side!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Five For Five
Hidden Bloggers know that each baseball season I traditionally launch five fantasy squads. Four of the teams are basically created for mock draft purposes - they give me a sense of how good my player pre-ranking is. I pick them early in spring training, when there's still time for major injuries to occur. Then within a few days of Opening Day, I draft the "real" team.
The Fake Teams
1. Slappy McPopup - named this team for the derisive nickname Los Angeles Dodgers fans assigned to the weak-hitting left fielder Juan Pierre. This was also my first league ever as commissioner. The fantastic device let me and Jack join go head-to-head, along with ten of our favorite strangers. Jack's team was loaded with hitting and relief pitching, but suffered from extreme manager indifference. By my calculations he would have ended up in second place merely by choosing to field a full lineup every day. But alas, fantasy baseball is a game of attrition, and it would have been a fairly DISTANT second. That's because, in fact, nearly the entire league was in slumber.
Grabbing a rejuvenated David Wright and Miguel Cabrera in a career year got things off on the right foot. Nonetheless my top ten picks contained several flameouts... Mark Reynolds (3), Ben Zobrist (4), Adam Jones (7), Javier Vasquez (8), and Scott Baker (9). In fact, only half of my remaining picks were still on the roster by year's end. Fortunately, two of those were superstars Adam Wainwright and Carlos Gonzalez. Fortunately, the competition's apathy allowed me to snag several studs off the waiver wire. In some cases these guys - Paul Konerko, Jose Bautista, Kelly Johnson and Buster Posey - were sitting out there for weeks. And what do you know? None other than Slappy McPopup himself contributed 68 stolen bases to the cause. The 107 points at the end were my largest amounts, and could have been larger still, had there not been other teams demanding more attention in my quest for a perfect season. I took the lead on April 20 and never looked back.
2. Test 2 - I named all my other teams "Test" as I do every year, an indication of their second-class status. But there was no second-rate performance by this squad, which rolled to the largest margin of victory, 21.5 points, of the bunch. Only three of my top ten picks failed, and one of those was due to Kendry Morales' freak injury. Mark Texeira and Troy Tulowitzki were my top two picks and got off to miserable starts (Tulo due to injury). So miserable, in fact, that this team trailed first place by 25 points on my birthday! The dominant winning margin is all the more spectacular as a result. Resisting the urge to dump underperforming players made all the difference. By August 1 we grabbed the lead for good. The 96 wins by the pitching staff was the best I can ever recall from one of my teams, who traditionally are high-strikeout, low inning types. Shrewd midseason pickups of a resurgent Aramis Ramirez helped fuel the rally.
3. Test 3 - This team rated well for most of the season behind the likes of Gonzalez, Konerko, and Ryan Braun at the plate, Mike Napoli and Ty Wiggington plugging in power at typically weak positions, and the pitching of Wainwright, Phil Hughes and Matt Cain. Rafael Soriano anchored the bullpen, as with several of my teams. This would have been an easy win if it weren't for another tenacious opponent who traded 1-2 positions with me for the season's final five months. After zooming to a double-digit margin by September 1, I found myself frantically presiding over a near-epic collapse near the end as the entire team went into a funk. The lead was down to 2 on the final day of the season with a scant advantage in multiple categories. Fortunately the second-place team had a rotten final day, and the battle was won.
4. Test - The rebound of Test 2 was remarkable, but this is the comeback story of the year. The early draft picks - oh, what a disaster. Besides the impotent results from Texiera in the first half, the second pick was Ian Kinsler, who spent half the year on the disabled list. The next three were Derek Jeter, Jayson Werth, and Dan Haren... all of whom absolutely tanked in the early going. Andre Ethier was never the same after a broken pinkie finger. Vasquez pretty much sucked the life out of every start until we cut him. Ditto Adrian Beltre (one of the few players I cut too soon... he had a super second half). My starting catcher also hit the DL in the first month. So except for Clayton Kershaw as a starting pitcher and a trio of outstanding relief pitchers, my entire infield was in ruins, and only Carlos Gonzalez provided any value in the outfield.
Plus, the competition was fierce. Two opponents were highly active on the trade market, constantly proposing multi-player deals. Midway through April, I had 40 points. Repeat, 40 points. A full 50 points out of first place. My team ERA of 5.00 was awful. Scant hitting power.
The opponents rained offers in my direction. I could've given up Jeter, Texeira, Soriano, or Kershaw a dozen times. Basically, they thought they could lure a desperate team into being pillaged. But in every case, there was just not enough value offered in return. In my mind, the cards with the best odds were already in hand.
I was, however, active in the waiver wire for pitching help. After running through no less than 11 pitchers whose ERA exceeded 4.00, I struck gold at last by grabbing Max Scherzer, Wandy Rodriguez, Carlos Zambrano, and Gavin Floyd during incredible hot streaks. Then I finally found a trade I liked, grabbing Brett Anderson and Chad Billingsley from an overeager opponent for a floundering Bobby Jenks. Those six starters gave me 350 innings with an ERA of under 2.50... and by season's end that previously cancerous stat had fallen to 3.22, second best. Pierre bolstered the stolen base total. Texeira got hot. And the deficit melted away:
7/1: 30 points
7/15: 20
8/1: 12
8/15: 5
It was a dogfight among four teams at that point, with me in 4th place.
9/10: 3rd place
9/15: 2nd place
9/20: 1st place tie!
9/25: 1st place alone!
And there it stayed! If only there were an award for general manager of the year, in the category of free fantasy baseball leagues at the easiest level.
Real Team - Pure Hustle 12
Admittedly, I was so engrossed in the dramatics of the Test teams that my real team - named for my famous intramural basketball team and representing the 10th edition of the fantasy baseball spinoff - got stuck in a rut. It wasn't entirely of my own making... the other teams were active and tough, and the market to fill in my talent gaps was as dry as I can ever remember. And there were a lot of gaps, at least on offense. My mock drafts ended up teaching me nothing, as only four of my top ten picks were hitters, two of which were injured often and a third which underperformed. Yes, my hitting was bankrupt. All that kept my engine running at all was the supreme pitching staff: Johan Santana, Josh Johnson, Francisco Liriano. Dan Haren and Zack Greinke... who actually underperformed, but had enough name recognition that I was able to pawn him off in exchange for Hanley Ramirez. That turned out to be the spark we needed, as Ramirez went on a tear for two months and rallied us from a 10-point deficit in less than two weeks. We took first place on September 1 and mostly coasted to the finish line.
Summary
No doubt my saving grace was Gonzalez. Ranked 119th pre-season, he's the only player I grabbed on all five teams. That was no accident, but dead-on foresight, as he ended up the highest-rated player in the league. Waiver wire transactions are a must in order to win, and while drafts are erratic they make an undeniable difference if you can pluck hidden undervalued gems in the lower rounds. And nothing may be more important than focus, the constant search for improvement and the knowledge that almost no gap is too large or too late to overcome.
So draws the end of a historic season. At least until more history is made next year!
The Fake Teams
1. Slappy McPopup - named this team for the derisive nickname Los Angeles Dodgers fans assigned to the weak-hitting left fielder Juan Pierre. This was also my first league ever as commissioner. The fantastic device let me and Jack join go head-to-head, along with ten of our favorite strangers. Jack's team was loaded with hitting and relief pitching, but suffered from extreme manager indifference. By my calculations he would have ended up in second place merely by choosing to field a full lineup every day. But alas, fantasy baseball is a game of attrition, and it would have been a fairly DISTANT second. That's because, in fact, nearly the entire league was in slumber.
Grabbing a rejuvenated David Wright and Miguel Cabrera in a career year got things off on the right foot. Nonetheless my top ten picks contained several flameouts... Mark Reynolds (3), Ben Zobrist (4), Adam Jones (7), Javier Vasquez (8), and Scott Baker (9). In fact, only half of my remaining picks were still on the roster by year's end. Fortunately, two of those were superstars Adam Wainwright and Carlos Gonzalez. Fortunately, the competition's apathy allowed me to snag several studs off the waiver wire. In some cases these guys - Paul Konerko, Jose Bautista, Kelly Johnson and Buster Posey - were sitting out there for weeks. And what do you know? None other than Slappy McPopup himself contributed 68 stolen bases to the cause. The 107 points at the end were my largest amounts, and could have been larger still, had there not been other teams demanding more attention in my quest for a perfect season. I took the lead on April 20 and never looked back.
2. Test 2 - I named all my other teams "Test" as I do every year, an indication of their second-class status. But there was no second-rate performance by this squad, which rolled to the largest margin of victory, 21.5 points, of the bunch. Only three of my top ten picks failed, and one of those was due to Kendry Morales' freak injury. Mark Texeira and Troy Tulowitzki were my top two picks and got off to miserable starts (Tulo due to injury). So miserable, in fact, that this team trailed first place by 25 points on my birthday! The dominant winning margin is all the more spectacular as a result. Resisting the urge to dump underperforming players made all the difference. By August 1 we grabbed the lead for good. The 96 wins by the pitching staff was the best I can ever recall from one of my teams, who traditionally are high-strikeout, low inning types. Shrewd midseason pickups of a resurgent Aramis Ramirez helped fuel the rally.
3. Test 3 - This team rated well for most of the season behind the likes of Gonzalez, Konerko, and Ryan Braun at the plate, Mike Napoli and Ty Wiggington plugging in power at typically weak positions, and the pitching of Wainwright, Phil Hughes and Matt Cain. Rafael Soriano anchored the bullpen, as with several of my teams. This would have been an easy win if it weren't for another tenacious opponent who traded 1-2 positions with me for the season's final five months. After zooming to a double-digit margin by September 1, I found myself frantically presiding over a near-epic collapse near the end as the entire team went into a funk. The lead was down to 2 on the final day of the season with a scant advantage in multiple categories. Fortunately the second-place team had a rotten final day, and the battle was won.
4. Test - The rebound of Test 2 was remarkable, but this is the comeback story of the year. The early draft picks - oh, what a disaster. Besides the impotent results from Texiera in the first half, the second pick was Ian Kinsler, who spent half the year on the disabled list. The next three were Derek Jeter, Jayson Werth, and Dan Haren... all of whom absolutely tanked in the early going. Andre Ethier was never the same after a broken pinkie finger. Vasquez pretty much sucked the life out of every start until we cut him. Ditto Adrian Beltre (one of the few players I cut too soon... he had a super second half). My starting catcher also hit the DL in the first month. So except for Clayton Kershaw as a starting pitcher and a trio of outstanding relief pitchers, my entire infield was in ruins, and only Carlos Gonzalez provided any value in the outfield.
Plus, the competition was fierce. Two opponents were highly active on the trade market, constantly proposing multi-player deals. Midway through April, I had 40 points. Repeat, 40 points. A full 50 points out of first place. My team ERA of 5.00 was awful. Scant hitting power.
The opponents rained offers in my direction. I could've given up Jeter, Texeira, Soriano, or Kershaw a dozen times. Basically, they thought they could lure a desperate team into being pillaged. But in every case, there was just not enough value offered in return. In my mind, the cards with the best odds were already in hand.
I was, however, active in the waiver wire for pitching help. After running through no less than 11 pitchers whose ERA exceeded 4.00, I struck gold at last by grabbing Max Scherzer, Wandy Rodriguez, Carlos Zambrano, and Gavin Floyd during incredible hot streaks. Then I finally found a trade I liked, grabbing Brett Anderson and Chad Billingsley from an overeager opponent for a floundering Bobby Jenks. Those six starters gave me 350 innings with an ERA of under 2.50... and by season's end that previously cancerous stat had fallen to 3.22, second best. Pierre bolstered the stolen base total. Texeira got hot. And the deficit melted away:
7/1: 30 points
7/15: 20
8/1: 12
8/15: 5
It was a dogfight among four teams at that point, with me in 4th place.
9/10: 3rd place
9/15: 2nd place
9/20: 1st place tie!
9/25: 1st place alone!
And there it stayed! If only there were an award for general manager of the year, in the category of free fantasy baseball leagues at the easiest level.
Real Team - Pure Hustle 12
Admittedly, I was so engrossed in the dramatics of the Test teams that my real team - named for my famous intramural basketball team and representing the 10th edition of the fantasy baseball spinoff - got stuck in a rut. It wasn't entirely of my own making... the other teams were active and tough, and the market to fill in my talent gaps was as dry as I can ever remember. And there were a lot of gaps, at least on offense. My mock drafts ended up teaching me nothing, as only four of my top ten picks were hitters, two of which were injured often and a third which underperformed. Yes, my hitting was bankrupt. All that kept my engine running at all was the supreme pitching staff: Johan Santana, Josh Johnson, Francisco Liriano. Dan Haren and Zack Greinke... who actually underperformed, but had enough name recognition that I was able to pawn him off in exchange for Hanley Ramirez. That turned out to be the spark we needed, as Ramirez went on a tear for two months and rallied us from a 10-point deficit in less than two weeks. We took first place on September 1 and mostly coasted to the finish line.
Summary
No doubt my saving grace was Gonzalez. Ranked 119th pre-season, he's the only player I grabbed on all five teams. That was no accident, but dead-on foresight, as he ended up the highest-rated player in the league. Waiver wire transactions are a must in order to win, and while drafts are erratic they make an undeniable difference if you can pluck hidden undervalued gems in the lower rounds. And nothing may be more important than focus, the constant search for improvement and the knowledge that almost no gap is too large or too late to overcome.
So draws the end of a historic season. At least until more history is made next year!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
High/Low Week 39, 2010
Three-quarters of the way through the year!
It's dangerous to let moments slip from the mind that need attention, and that's what happened this week. Suffice to say that next week there needs to be more specificity than is showing up here.
There was a moment this week at the office where I pushed the Send button when better instincts told me to wait a day to fact check, and it cost me.
Meanwhile, there was a crucial conversation at work that helped us get some priorities in order.
A friend of mine was considering a career change, and fortunately I have a friend who was in that field. They had a good conversation and will be meeting again!
Ryan and I set up a meeting to prep for the upcoming basketball season after playing a bit of tag.
The condo association's application for FHA approval was successfully completed and mailed. In about 30 days we ought to hear back and likely be accepted. A half-dozen owners hoping to sell their units will be much better off.
Continuing the adventure into individual investing, I set up an account on AmeriTrade this morning, and will be seeding it with some initial investment next week.
My legs are as strong as they've been in some time... the cardio machine at the Four Seasons has to be up to resistance level 15 in order to get my heart rate into the target zone.
Got my New York business trip booked successfully.
And finally, in the last week of the season my worst fantasy baseball team rallied into first place, and held on to win by a nose. That closed out a perfect record - all five teams ended up champions, a personal best. More to come on that!
It's dangerous to let moments slip from the mind that need attention, and that's what happened this week. Suffice to say that next week there needs to be more specificity than is showing up here.
There was a moment this week at the office where I pushed the Send button when better instincts told me to wait a day to fact check, and it cost me.
Meanwhile, there was a crucial conversation at work that helped us get some priorities in order.
A friend of mine was considering a career change, and fortunately I have a friend who was in that field. They had a good conversation and will be meeting again!
Ryan and I set up a meeting to prep for the upcoming basketball season after playing a bit of tag.
The condo association's application for FHA approval was successfully completed and mailed. In about 30 days we ought to hear back and likely be accepted. A half-dozen owners hoping to sell their units will be much better off.
Continuing the adventure into individual investing, I set up an account on AmeriTrade this morning, and will be seeding it with some initial investment next week.
My legs are as strong as they've been in some time... the cardio machine at the Four Seasons has to be up to resistance level 15 in order to get my heart rate into the target zone.
Got my New York business trip booked successfully.
And finally, in the last week of the season my worst fantasy baseball team rallied into first place, and held on to win by a nose. That closed out a perfect record - all five teams ended up champions, a personal best. More to come on that!
Social Network
The story of the youngest billionaire, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (whom I'll refer to as "Z" from here on to save a few keystrokes), was an inspirational tale for anyone in the mood to dream about that one great idea buried within us that could bring our fortune.
Otherwise, it was a fast-moving portrait of controversy, told through flashbacks in the context of a pair of lawsuits filed against Z shortly after his creation became the global phenomena that it is today.
If the tale is true, then the socially abrasive Z took an idea from two wealthy future Olympian crew members of a Harvard club, and stalled them long enough to launch Facebook. In addition to aggravating them, he also disillusions his co-founder while teaming up with the drug-using former founder of Napster (a pleasant surprise - didn't know Justin Timberlake was in this cast from the previews).
There's a hint that Z isn't the a-hole that he appears to be. A lonely genius cocooned in defense mechanisms against his low self-esteem? You be the judge.
This was a dramatic plot, not a comedic one per se, and it continuously moves forward entertainingly.
The movie leaves no doubt that the American dream is both alive and well, and has some dirt on its underside. If you like reality TV in all its angst, then this is a worthy experiment for a Saturday afternoon. But you won't be kicking yourself if it escapes the theater before you get a chance to see it.
Otherwise, it was a fast-moving portrait of controversy, told through flashbacks in the context of a pair of lawsuits filed against Z shortly after his creation became the global phenomena that it is today.
If the tale is true, then the socially abrasive Z took an idea from two wealthy future Olympian crew members of a Harvard club, and stalled them long enough to launch Facebook. In addition to aggravating them, he also disillusions his co-founder while teaming up with the drug-using former founder of Napster (a pleasant surprise - didn't know Justin Timberlake was in this cast from the previews).
There's a hint that Z isn't the a-hole that he appears to be. A lonely genius cocooned in defense mechanisms against his low self-esteem? You be the judge.
This was a dramatic plot, not a comedic one per se, and it continuously moves forward entertainingly.
The movie leaves no doubt that the American dream is both alive and well, and has some dirt on its underside. If you like reality TV in all its angst, then this is a worthy experiment for a Saturday afternoon. But you won't be kicking yourself if it escapes the theater before you get a chance to see it.
It's Always Sunny In Normal
Have you looked at the weather forecast recently? Sunny, 60-70 degrees... for like ten days in a row.
How many sunny days have there been in 2010? In my book it's been the best weather year in at least the last twenty.
How many sunny days have there been in 2010? In my book it's been the best weather year in at least the last twenty.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Fab 15
Forbes columnist Mark Hulbert ran some numbers and determined that if you remove Buffett's 15 best decisions from the hundreds of others, his long-term performance would be mediocre.
We make hundreds of decisions that result in treading water or failure. We can assume that they'll all be that way, or press on with confidence that things will come around. It may not make us multi-billionaires, but enough to bring us to our own personal concept of happiness!
We make hundreds of decisions that result in treading water or failure. We can assume that they'll all be that way, or press on with confidence that things will come around. It may not make us multi-billionaires, but enough to bring us to our own personal concept of happiness!
Choosing Wisely
"Draw a circle around the businesses you understand and then eliminate those that fail to qualify on the basis of value, good management, and limited exposure to hard times." - Warren Buffett
There's unending appeal for our resources of time and money, and limitless choice of companions. Life's finite, and we fare well when we choose wisely! Do our choices put us into a winning environment? Do they yield results that feel worthwhile?
There's unending appeal for our resources of time and money, and limitless choice of companions. Life's finite, and we fare well when we choose wisely! Do our choices put us into a winning environment? Do they yield results that feel worthwhile?
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