From season eight of the show Frasier:
Frasier: "You know Dad, I'm really beginning to become concerned about the effects of all this eating on Daphne's long-term health."
Martin: "You're concerned? Somewhere on a poultry farm there's a bunch of chickens holding a prayer vigil."
Monday, December 31, 2007
2008 Preview
One of the phrases that sticks with me is "what gets measured, gets done." It's why the IRS puts an April 15th date out there instead of "hey, whenever you can get around to it, it's all good."
In business, the concept of aligning short and long-term goals gets a lot of play. At Hidden Blog, that means looking at the vision statement to the left and figuring out what baby steps to take in 2008.
2008: Become "Mr. Positivity"
One rule that's served really well for the last two years is "no negatively charged e-mails." As a general rule, that means to avoid complaining, sarcasm, woe-is-me, anger, condemnation, dire predictions, and all their ugly cousins in my writing. Mr. Positivity would find a way to translate that to conversations as well. So in 2008, for at least one month, I'll keep a daily count of how many times I catch myself slipping these into conversation.
2012: Catch Country Joe
I'll average at least 50 posts a month. And I'll keep searching for tricks to step up the search engine ladder.
2017: Read 100th Book Since 2007
I read ten in 2007. I'll read at least ten in 2008.
2027: Retire at 15% Body Fat
There are several parts here. As far as retiring, I've created a set of 2008 goals at work that should satisfy expectations. Physically, I'm going to return to the doctor and see what the next step is in healing my back. Also, I will avoid candy-like sugary eats and drinks, with some exceptions for special occasions. And since I know that I can run 5K even with the bad back, I plan to run at least one race of at least that length.
And away we go!
In business, the concept of aligning short and long-term goals gets a lot of play. At Hidden Blog, that means looking at the vision statement to the left and figuring out what baby steps to take in 2008.
2008: Become "Mr. Positivity"
One rule that's served really well for the last two years is "no negatively charged e-mails." As a general rule, that means to avoid complaining, sarcasm, woe-is-me, anger, condemnation, dire predictions, and all their ugly cousins in my writing. Mr. Positivity would find a way to translate that to conversations as well. So in 2008, for at least one month, I'll keep a daily count of how many times I catch myself slipping these into conversation.
2012: Catch Country Joe
I'll average at least 50 posts a month. And I'll keep searching for tricks to step up the search engine ladder.
2017: Read 100th Book Since 2007
I read ten in 2007. I'll read at least ten in 2008.
2027: Retire at 15% Body Fat
There are several parts here. As far as retiring, I've created a set of 2008 goals at work that should satisfy expectations. Physically, I'm going to return to the doctor and see what the next step is in healing my back. Also, I will avoid candy-like sugary eats and drinks, with some exceptions for special occasions. And since I know that I can run 5K even with the bad back, I plan to run at least one race of at least that length.
And away we go!
2007 Recap
It's that fabulous time of year for list-lovers. The month of December, and particularly the week between Christmas and New Year's, is filled with highlight reels of the last year. In the spirit of the season, here is Hidden Blog's first top ten recap of the prior twelve months. These are the most significant events of the year, listed in the order in which they came to mind:
1. Separation from organized religion. As a lifelong Christian church member, this one jumped out as the major crossroads. God creates us differently, to love people in different roles as part of a bigger plan, and for the moment this feels like my calling.
2. "Graduation" from small group (October 1997 - January 2008). Friendships ebb and flow, and this one was both enriching and complete as priorities changed. We met every other Friday during ten school years. Among a host of hilarious memories, our three-year run as co-creators of Vacation Bible School skits stands out as the greatest.
3. The lingering back injury. See the 4-sport athlete transform into a couch potato before your very eyes! Incurred in June, it's my longest-running injury to date, and a focus for 2008.
4. Coaching the Jazz. Part of the self-examination (see the various summer entries regarding "Strengths") that ended my church membership also nudged me toward coaching YMCA basketball. Three practices are too early to tell, but the results are encouraging so far.
5. Free agent musician. I realized that I'd peaked in the band Higher Ground, and that it was time to find a better fit. This is life's most unresolved aspect right now, as I enjoy playing the guitar/singing every day of the week in the condo basement but have no idea how best to apply it successfully in public.
6. Jingle Bell Run training. Watching and helping Dena transform from non-runner into a sub-12 minute 5K miler might have been the happiest success story of the year!
7. Fun with Moms. Mom underwent two knee replacement surgeries which should put her on track for better health. And Grandma's 90th birthday was special because I was able to write, produce, and record a song for her as a birthday present. In fact, Higher Ground decided to play it live at a church service, my all-time musical highlight!
8. Career planning. Yet another shift in direction as part of self-exploration was to set a goal of retiring as young as possible, which looks like age 55. It's a dream most share, but in my case it also meant shifting my aspirations from "the next promotion" to charting a 20-year course within my current job. The timing was ironic, since shortly thereafter I passed up an opportunity -- one with greater pay, and greater stress -- that I would more likely have taken years ago.
9. Roofing project leadership. As detailed in earlier entries, convincing 2/3 of condo residents to invest in a major roofing project was a surprising accomplishment for a person who hasn't hammered a nail this century.
10. Hidden Blog's manic chase of Country Joe. The fourth time was a charm, as I'd dabbled in blogs for years before finally raising Hidden Blog from the shadows. With two regular readers -- what's up, Jack and Dona? -- it's become a cultural phenomenon that's the number 1 Google search engine result for "Joe McDonald's Hidden Blog" and has flirted at #42 of "Joe McDonald" searches.
Honorable mention goes to Leadership McLean County, the most successful volunteer experience in recent memory; High school memories, including my presentation for Career Day and Driscoll's 7th straight football championship; and the 7th inning stretch competition which led Jack and I to Wrigley Field with 2,000 others.
2007 was filled with new beginnings. Happy Old Year!
1. Separation from organized religion. As a lifelong Christian church member, this one jumped out as the major crossroads. God creates us differently, to love people in different roles as part of a bigger plan, and for the moment this feels like my calling.
2. "Graduation" from small group (October 1997 - January 2008). Friendships ebb and flow, and this one was both enriching and complete as priorities changed. We met every other Friday during ten school years. Among a host of hilarious memories, our three-year run as co-creators of Vacation Bible School skits stands out as the greatest.
3. The lingering back injury. See the 4-sport athlete transform into a couch potato before your very eyes! Incurred in June, it's my longest-running injury to date, and a focus for 2008.
4. Coaching the Jazz. Part of the self-examination (see the various summer entries regarding "Strengths") that ended my church membership also nudged me toward coaching YMCA basketball. Three practices are too early to tell, but the results are encouraging so far.
5. Free agent musician. I realized that I'd peaked in the band Higher Ground, and that it was time to find a better fit. This is life's most unresolved aspect right now, as I enjoy playing the guitar/singing every day of the week in the condo basement but have no idea how best to apply it successfully in public.
6. Jingle Bell Run training. Watching and helping Dena transform from non-runner into a sub-12 minute 5K miler might have been the happiest success story of the year!
7. Fun with Moms. Mom underwent two knee replacement surgeries which should put her on track for better health. And Grandma's 90th birthday was special because I was able to write, produce, and record a song for her as a birthday present. In fact, Higher Ground decided to play it live at a church service, my all-time musical highlight!
8. Career planning. Yet another shift in direction as part of self-exploration was to set a goal of retiring as young as possible, which looks like age 55. It's a dream most share, but in my case it also meant shifting my aspirations from "the next promotion" to charting a 20-year course within my current job. The timing was ironic, since shortly thereafter I passed up an opportunity -- one with greater pay, and greater stress -- that I would more likely have taken years ago.
9. Roofing project leadership. As detailed in earlier entries, convincing 2/3 of condo residents to invest in a major roofing project was a surprising accomplishment for a person who hasn't hammered a nail this century.
10. Hidden Blog's manic chase of Country Joe. The fourth time was a charm, as I'd dabbled in blogs for years before finally raising Hidden Blog from the shadows. With two regular readers -- what's up, Jack and Dona? -- it's become a cultural phenomenon that's the number 1 Google search engine result for "Joe McDonald's Hidden Blog" and has flirted at #42 of "Joe McDonald" searches.
Honorable mention goes to Leadership McLean County, the most successful volunteer experience in recent memory; High school memories, including my presentation for Career Day and Driscoll's 7th straight football championship; and the 7th inning stretch competition which led Jack and I to Wrigley Field with 2,000 others.
2007 was filled with new beginnings. Happy Old Year!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Shreveport: The Granddaddy of Bad Bowl Games
By Spencer Hall - SportingNews
Bowl disappointment comes in many different flavors. The Purdue and Central Michigan players at the Motor City Bowl partied at a bowling alley. Fresno State and Georgia Tech players traveling to the Humanitarian Bowl are playing a game sponsored by a series of truck stops.
And for Memphis and Florida Atlantic players looking for events at the New Orleans Bowl -- events like parades -- well, sorry: There were no events listed or provided. (Even the Meineke Car Care Bowl had a street fair and pep rally for UConn and Wake Forest players and fans. If they can do it, anyone can.)
The original recipe for bowl disappointment, though, comes from Shreveport, La.: The Independence Bowl, better known to you and me as the former Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl. The GMAC, the Motor City, the Meineke Car Care Bowl ... they all owe a debt of gratitude to the Independence Bowl, which came along in 1976 and innovated the bowl scene by removing the requirement of being "a destination city" from the criteria.
Teams used to go somewhere for their bowl games; Shreveport proved that football fans were so desperate for games they were willing to ditch the requirement of a holiday destination to watch games between .500 teams playing for payouts barely covering their expenses (if they're lucky).
We'll get to the money. The reasons for saying Shreveport's the ultimate non-destination for bowl teams? Oh, there are reasons.
The Location
Shreveport is located at the nexus of the Red River and the Texas Trail, meaning it was hot as long as everyone stuck to riverboats and covered wagons for transportation. I appreciate the pleasure of playing faro and smoking a cigar on a riverboat next to a guy named "Pappy" as much as the next man, but both modes of transportation left Shreveport bereft and stuck in the far northwest corner of Louisiana -- a region officially ranked 45th in the bestseller Places You Really Totally Shouldn't See Before You Die (No, Like Seriously Dude. FOR REAL).
This meant Shreveport now survives on what is politely called "a service economy," or more plainly put, "gambling." It's Biloxi-on-the-River, in other words, with a convention center and hotel paid for with public funds but curiously managed by the Hilton Corporation. It has little for 18- to 22-year olds -- no beach, no significant nightlife and no major tourist attractions that don't involve doubling-down or letting it ride.
Vegas has the fountains at the Bellagio. Boise has majestic scenery. In Shreveport, the most a bowl-bound player can hope for in the way of entertainment is watching the river for dead cattle floating by in between attempts to sneak into the casinos.
There is a good gender discrepancy, though, so the chances of "Bowl Romance" are (mathematically speaking) excellent for young, healthy men on the prowl: 87.4 men for every 100 women. (One stands a pretty good shot at finding a young lady with which to watch the dead cows float by in Shreveport.)
Oh, and Road House 2 and Blonde Ambition with Jessica Simpson were filmed there as part of Shreveport's pandering to the American film industry. Both are available at inexpensive prices in your local DVD bin, and both are awesome, I'm sure.
The sponsors
The Independence Bowl has been the poster child for conspicuously un-prestigious bowl sponsors. The bowl has been known as:
The Poulan-Weed Eater Independence Bowl
The Newell-Rubbermaid Sanford Writing Products Independence Bowl
The Mainstay Investments Independence Bowl
The PetroSun Independence Bowl
The plague of corporate names didn't begin with the Independence Bowl. Shreveport's bowl officials did, however, leap on it with a verve and lack of discrimination that deserves an advanced degree of scorn. You'll always be the Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl to us, though. Sorry, PetroSun.
The teams
Being bowl-eligible used to mean something because there was a finite number of bowls, just as produce was a lot higher quality when they didn't let the bruised apples through inspection. Thanks to ESPN's family of fake bowls and the proliferation of bowl games, the current de facto playoff system bears less resemblance to the NFL or MLB playoffs and looks more like the NHL playoffs: Everyone with a pulse gets postseason exposure.
Colorado is on the path to prosperity in a redo by Dan Hawkins, but the Buffs still finished in a four-way tie for fifth place in the Big 12 -- and lost to Iowa State, a two-win team that lost to Northern Iowa, a Division I-AA team. Alabama shorted out toward the end of the season as John Parker Wilson disintegrated in an almost Chris Simms-esque fashion.
Sunday night's net matchup is one of two .500 teams that finished the season on a flatline, losing a combined eight of their last 10 games (a fact helpfully pointed out by SMQ.)
These are two not-good teams that will add up to play what likely will be a not-good game. And that's if they have a fair field to play on, which bring us to our fourth factor ...
The weather
Shreveport is inland in a "humid, subtropical climate." In December, anything can and does happen. This year's weather has been cold and rainy thus far, not the sunny bowl vacation most would assume as the ideal exhibition game location. (The Weather Channel forecast: partly cloudy, 41 degrees at kickoff, 37 degrees by the end.)
Freakish weather, however, has been the norm in the Independence Bowl: Torrential rains led to an ugly 9-3 game between Ole Miss and Air Force in 1983, and a snowstorm in 2000 had announcers guessing blindly about down-and-distance.
Laugh as much as you like at the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl or the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla., but at least those meaningless bowls get decent, semi-predictable weather. Even the Motor City Bowl is smart enough to hold the thing indoors before turning people loose to fend for themselves in the wilds of downtown Detroit. (There are enough variables in Detroit without having the weather frighten people, too.)
The money
It's a well-kept secret that amid all the festivity, bowl games rarely pay for cost of the schools attending them. According to a recent Orange County Register article, Florida and Ohio State each finished more than $600,000 in the red last year from travel expenses to the national title game. The PetroSun Independence Bowl's $1.1 million payout to each school might sound immense, but with the average program expenditure for a non-BCS bowl game sitting at $937,834, Alabama and Colorado will be fortunate to break even on games.
And if Shreveport's freakish weather takes a turn for the worse, they might lose that slim profit margin in a mess of hastily purchased rain jackets, thermal underwear and cancelled flights. Given the economics of the event alone, Alabama and Colorado might consider doing exactly what you'll do with the PetroSun Independence Bowl: Watch it safely and cheaply from your couch.
Bowl disappointment comes in many different flavors. The Purdue and Central Michigan players at the Motor City Bowl partied at a bowling alley. Fresno State and Georgia Tech players traveling to the Humanitarian Bowl are playing a game sponsored by a series of truck stops.
And for Memphis and Florida Atlantic players looking for events at the New Orleans Bowl -- events like parades -- well, sorry: There were no events listed or provided. (Even the Meineke Car Care Bowl had a street fair and pep rally for UConn and Wake Forest players and fans. If they can do it, anyone can.)
The original recipe for bowl disappointment, though, comes from Shreveport, La.: The Independence Bowl, better known to you and me as the former Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl. The GMAC, the Motor City, the Meineke Car Care Bowl ... they all owe a debt of gratitude to the Independence Bowl, which came along in 1976 and innovated the bowl scene by removing the requirement of being "a destination city" from the criteria.
Teams used to go somewhere for their bowl games; Shreveport proved that football fans were so desperate for games they were willing to ditch the requirement of a holiday destination to watch games between .500 teams playing for payouts barely covering their expenses (if they're lucky).
We'll get to the money. The reasons for saying Shreveport's the ultimate non-destination for bowl teams? Oh, there are reasons.
The Location
Shreveport is located at the nexus of the Red River and the Texas Trail, meaning it was hot as long as everyone stuck to riverboats and covered wagons for transportation. I appreciate the pleasure of playing faro and smoking a cigar on a riverboat next to a guy named "Pappy" as much as the next man, but both modes of transportation left Shreveport bereft and stuck in the far northwest corner of Louisiana -- a region officially ranked 45th in the bestseller Places You Really Totally Shouldn't See Before You Die (No, Like Seriously Dude. FOR REAL).
This meant Shreveport now survives on what is politely called "a service economy," or more plainly put, "gambling." It's Biloxi-on-the-River, in other words, with a convention center and hotel paid for with public funds but curiously managed by the Hilton Corporation. It has little for 18- to 22-year olds -- no beach, no significant nightlife and no major tourist attractions that don't involve doubling-down or letting it ride.
Vegas has the fountains at the Bellagio. Boise has majestic scenery. In Shreveport, the most a bowl-bound player can hope for in the way of entertainment is watching the river for dead cattle floating by in between attempts to sneak into the casinos.
There is a good gender discrepancy, though, so the chances of "Bowl Romance" are (mathematically speaking) excellent for young, healthy men on the prowl: 87.4 men for every 100 women. (One stands a pretty good shot at finding a young lady with which to watch the dead cows float by in Shreveport.)
Oh, and Road House 2 and Blonde Ambition with Jessica Simpson were filmed there as part of Shreveport's pandering to the American film industry. Both are available at inexpensive prices in your local DVD bin, and both are awesome, I'm sure.
The sponsors
The Independence Bowl has been the poster child for conspicuously un-prestigious bowl sponsors. The bowl has been known as:
The Poulan-Weed Eater Independence Bowl
The Newell-Rubbermaid Sanford Writing Products Independence Bowl
The Mainstay Investments Independence Bowl
The PetroSun Independence Bowl
The plague of corporate names didn't begin with the Independence Bowl. Shreveport's bowl officials did, however, leap on it with a verve and lack of discrimination that deserves an advanced degree of scorn. You'll always be the Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl to us, though. Sorry, PetroSun.
The teams
Being bowl-eligible used to mean something because there was a finite number of bowls, just as produce was a lot higher quality when they didn't let the bruised apples through inspection. Thanks to ESPN's family of fake bowls and the proliferation of bowl games, the current de facto playoff system bears less resemblance to the NFL or MLB playoffs and looks more like the NHL playoffs: Everyone with a pulse gets postseason exposure.
Colorado is on the path to prosperity in a redo by Dan Hawkins, but the Buffs still finished in a four-way tie for fifth place in the Big 12 -- and lost to Iowa State, a two-win team that lost to Northern Iowa, a Division I-AA team. Alabama shorted out toward the end of the season as John Parker Wilson disintegrated in an almost Chris Simms-esque fashion.
Sunday night's net matchup is one of two .500 teams that finished the season on a flatline, losing a combined eight of their last 10 games (a fact helpfully pointed out by SMQ.)
These are two not-good teams that will add up to play what likely will be a not-good game. And that's if they have a fair field to play on, which bring us to our fourth factor ...
The weather
Shreveport is inland in a "humid, subtropical climate." In December, anything can and does happen. This year's weather has been cold and rainy thus far, not the sunny bowl vacation most would assume as the ideal exhibition game location. (The Weather Channel forecast: partly cloudy, 41 degrees at kickoff, 37 degrees by the end.)
Freakish weather, however, has been the norm in the Independence Bowl: Torrential rains led to an ugly 9-3 game between Ole Miss and Air Force in 1983, and a snowstorm in 2000 had announcers guessing blindly about down-and-distance.
Laugh as much as you like at the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl or the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla., but at least those meaningless bowls get decent, semi-predictable weather. Even the Motor City Bowl is smart enough to hold the thing indoors before turning people loose to fend for themselves in the wilds of downtown Detroit. (There are enough variables in Detroit without having the weather frighten people, too.)
The money
It's a well-kept secret that amid all the festivity, bowl games rarely pay for cost of the schools attending them. According to a recent Orange County Register article, Florida and Ohio State each finished more than $600,000 in the red last year from travel expenses to the national title game. The PetroSun Independence Bowl's $1.1 million payout to each school might sound immense, but with the average program expenditure for a non-BCS bowl game sitting at $937,834, Alabama and Colorado will be fortunate to break even on games.
And if Shreveport's freakish weather takes a turn for the worse, they might lose that slim profit margin in a mess of hastily purchased rain jackets, thermal underwear and cancelled flights. Given the economics of the event alone, Alabama and Colorado might consider doing exactly what you'll do with the PetroSun Independence Bowl: Watch it safely and cheaply from your couch.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Change a Bull
So the Bulls decided to change coaches following a 9-16 start. Scott Skiles coached them to a winning record over five years, an outstanding achievement by the standard of the five previous years.
The question's being asked if the Bulls have what it takes to make a strong playoff run this year.
Absolutely!
This is a team virtually unchanged from last year's campaign. The team is still young enough that the extra year makes them wiser rather than older. The fact is that their shooting percentage current ranks at the bottom of the league. There is still plenty of season left for the offensive funk to end, and this is a team that has starred on defense in recent years. As a former player, I'd say that few things disrupt a team more than a stingy opponent's defense.
You might want to lay off Chicago sports radio station 670 AM until those wins start rolling, though.
The question's being asked if the Bulls have what it takes to make a strong playoff run this year.
Absolutely!
This is a team virtually unchanged from last year's campaign. The team is still young enough that the extra year makes them wiser rather than older. The fact is that their shooting percentage current ranks at the bottom of the league. There is still plenty of season left for the offensive funk to end, and this is a team that has starred on defense in recent years. As a former player, I'd say that few things disrupt a team more than a stingy opponent's defense.
You might want to lay off Chicago sports radio station 670 AM until those wins start rolling, though.
National Treasure - Book of Secrets
On the night of Mom's surgery Dena and I headed out to see this movie, starring Nicholas Cage. It's got all the elements required for a positive Joe rating:
1. All heroes live, and are happy.
2. All bad guys are foiled.
The plot centers around a family trying to clear its name from ties to American villain John Wilkes Booth. In the end, the way to do this was by finding a lost Native American city of gold.
You'll have to set aside any requirements that the plot be realistic. In this aspect I'd say the movie departs from the "highly unlikely" story of its predecessor, to "wildly invented" status here. Beyond that, I'll keep mum on the details and recommend it as a good date movie in theaters.
Famous line: It's a little gold man!
1. All heroes live, and are happy.
2. All bad guys are foiled.
The plot centers around a family trying to clear its name from ties to American villain John Wilkes Booth. In the end, the way to do this was by finding a lost Native American city of gold.
You'll have to set aside any requirements that the plot be realistic. In this aspect I'd say the movie departs from the "highly unlikely" story of its predecessor, to "wildly invented" status here. Beyond that, I'll keep mum on the details and recommend it as a good date movie in theaters.
Famous line: It's a little gold man!
Mom's Knee Replacement
After having her left knee replaced in March, she underwent right knee surgery yesterday morning.
Success!
She's resting comfortably at Central DuPage Hospital, which proudly displays its "top 50" status according to national rankings. And it is a heckuva hospital, adorned with faux-marble floors and ornate decoration. Of course what patients and their families enjoy the most is the staff, it would take too long to put into words the impression made by nurses and doctors who are all pleasant, caring, and confident, not to mention young and knowledgable! Oh, and the complimentary valet parking for patients, and the highly navigable parking garage which came in handy during the 5 inch snowfall today.
Mom will be out of the hospital within a couple of days. Dena and I will hang out here until at least New Year's Day.
Success!
She's resting comfortably at Central DuPage Hospital, which proudly displays its "top 50" status according to national rankings. And it is a heckuva hospital, adorned with faux-marble floors and ornate decoration. Of course what patients and their families enjoy the most is the staff, it would take too long to put into words the impression made by nurses and doctors who are all pleasant, caring, and confident, not to mention young and knowledgable! Oh, and the complimentary valet parking for patients, and the highly navigable parking garage which came in handy during the 5 inch snowfall today.
Mom will be out of the hospital within a couple of days. Dena and I will hang out here until at least New Year's Day.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Boomshine Record
5 minutes to complete all 12 levels. Plus, eliminated all 60 balls at level 12, resulting in an all-time high score of 312 due to bonus!
Perfect for Small Group Bible Study
JERUSALEM — Israeli scientists have inscribed the entire Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible onto a space less than half the size of a grain of sugar.
The nanotechnology experts at the Technion institute in Haifa say the book was etched on a surface that measures less than 0.01 square inch. They chose the Jewish Bible to highlight how vast quantities of information can be stored on minimum amounts of space.
“It took us about an hour to etch the 300,000 words of the Bible onto a tiny silicon surface,’’ Ohad Zohar, the university’s scientific adviser for educational programs, told the Associated Press.
The Technion’s microscopic bible was created by blasting tiny particles called gallium ions at an object that then rebounded, causing an etching affect.
“When a particle beam is directed toward a point on the surface, the gold atoms bounce off and expose the silicon layer underneath just like a hammer and chisel,’’ Zohar said.
He said the technology will in the future be used as a way to store vast amounts of data on bio-molecules and DNA.
The tiny Bible appears to be the world’s smallest.
The previous smallest known copy of the Bible measured 1.1 x 1.3 x 0.4 inches, weighed 0.4 ounces and contained 1,514 pages, according to Guinness World Records spokeswoman Amarilis Espinoza. The tiny text, obtained by an Indian professor in November 2001, is believed to have originated in Australia.
The nanotechnology experts at the Technion institute in Haifa say the book was etched on a surface that measures less than 0.01 square inch. They chose the Jewish Bible to highlight how vast quantities of information can be stored on minimum amounts of space.
“It took us about an hour to etch the 300,000 words of the Bible onto a tiny silicon surface,’’ Ohad Zohar, the university’s scientific adviser for educational programs, told the Associated Press.
The Technion’s microscopic bible was created by blasting tiny particles called gallium ions at an object that then rebounded, causing an etching affect.
“When a particle beam is directed toward a point on the surface, the gold atoms bounce off and expose the silicon layer underneath just like a hammer and chisel,’’ Zohar said.
He said the technology will in the future be used as a way to store vast amounts of data on bio-molecules and DNA.
The tiny Bible appears to be the world’s smallest.
The previous smallest known copy of the Bible measured 1.1 x 1.3 x 0.4 inches, weighed 0.4 ounces and contained 1,514 pages, according to Guinness World Records spokeswoman Amarilis Espinoza. The tiny text, obtained by an Indian professor in November 2001, is believed to have originated in Australia.
Act Confident, Be Confident
"I decided Benfold was going to be the best damn ship in that Navy. I repeated it to my sailors all the time, and eventually they believed it themselves... I told them I wanted them to greet every visitor who came on board by looking him or her in the eye, shaking hands, smiling, and saying 'Welcome to the best damn ship in the Navy.'... Sure it was corny. But it worked, because confidence is infectious." -- Captain Abrashoff
I'm Mr. Positivity!
I'm Mr. Positivity!
The Washington Post Test
"If what I'm about to do appeared on the front page of the Washington Post tomorrow, would I be proud or embarrassed? If I knew I would be embarrassed, I would not do it. If I'd be proud, I knew I was generally on the right track." -- Captain Abrashoff
...of course, appearing on the front page of Hidden Blog inspires pride no matter what the content!
...of course, appearing on the front page of Hidden Blog inspires pride no matter what the content!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Midwest Food Bank
What terrific content for Hidden Blog's 300th post! An inspiring example of basic human goodness, with international influence, right here in our backyard.
BLOOMINGTON -- Santa may get top billing, but he’s nowhere without his elves.
So says David Kieser, the head Santa at the Bloomington-based Midwest Food Bank. Though he volunteers to lead the food bank, he gives credit to God, his family and a host of volunteers and donors for the food bank’s miracle-like growth during the past five years.
More than 100,000 people are served every month through more than 500 non-profit groups the food bank supplies, according to a recent study by Illinois State University. This year alone, the food bank is expected to distribute canned goods, dry goods and meat valued at more than the $14 million. Food is donated by food manufacturers and grocers, community food drives, and individuals.
The non-profit operation once fit into a garage-sized shed. Today, it fills a huge warehouse on Bloomington’s southeast side. Two more warehouses, one in Peoria and one in Indianapolis, will open in February.
“So many generous, kind people are reaching out to other people,” said Kieser, 52. “The food bank has become an opportunity for others who feel a need to serve those in need.”
Kieser’s brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Laura and Paul and Karen Kieser, took over the responsibilities Kieser and his wife, Wilma, had to the family farming business to give them time to volunteer full time as the food bank grew.
Kieser traces the seed of the Midwest Food Bank to his mother, Jean, and his father, the late Louis Kieser. They raised their large family on a farm just southwest of Bloomington. As a boy, Kieser thought it odd when his mom returned from the grocery store with far more food than her own brood needed.
When he was older, he saw what his strongly Apostolic Christian parents were doing. His mom had Kieser load the surplus food in a Radio Flyer wagon and haul it to a family with eight children who lived nearby.
“I was too young to understand mom wasn’t making a mistake. That was part of the plan,” he said. “It’s a biblical principle to recognize a need and then try to do what you can to fill the need.”
After growing up to run a successful family grain-farm operation, the Kieser siblings were looking for some way to give more back to the community. At the same time, a coalition of non-profit groups that distribute food called Harvest of Hope was searching for a place to serve as a headquarters and storage area. The Kiesers volunteered a shed.
Food collections began to swell, and more and more groups that serve the hungry appeared on the doorstep. Agencies receiving food must be non-profit, they must agree to give what they receive from the Midwest Food Bank to the needy and they cannot sell, barter, trade or raise money with food the bank has supplied.
Corporate and public partners signed on. They include State Farm Insurance Cos., ISU, the cities of Bloomington and Normal, Cub Foods, Caterpillar, Tyson Foods, RMH in Morton and ADM, to name a few. Another major food chain is considering joining. A network of area meat processors and the Eastview Christian Sportsmen agreed to channel surplus venison, hogs and beef to the poor through the bank.
More help arrives every day.
Kieser tells a story of a company representative who noticed the warehouse sign just off Veterans Parkway. He stopped to learn more and asked what his company could do to help.
“It’s absolutely and completely, totally amazing,” Kieser said. “But that’s OK. God is amazing. He can make amazing things happen. … It’s just amazing how God opens doors and how God opens hearts. God is the one touching hearts and moving people do to what they are doing for the food bank.”
The bank is critical to the missions of area agencies, according to Capt. Scott Shelbourn of the Bloomington-based Salvation Army. The food bank is by far the single largest contributor of food to his agency’s food pantry and its homeless shelter, Safe Harbor, he said.
Midwest Food Bank also reaches far beyond Central Illinois. The U.S. Navy sails donations from the bank to areas around the globe that are in desperate need. The bank also responds with the Salvation Army and the Red Cross wherever disaster strikes on U.S. soil. For example, the food bank helped send food during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the Gulf Coast.
“They sent just hundreds of truckloads that benefited so many people,” said Shelbourn, adding national officials of the Salvation Army often call Kieser for help.
“Dave has the contacts to get the food and has trucks to deliver it. That is just fantastic,” Shelbourn said.
Lyn Hruska, executive director of the Bloomington-based American Red Cross of the Heartland, noted her agency awarded Kieser the Ambassador Award for his work outside the community at its 2007 Heroes Breakfast.
“He really is an example of how one person who draws more people in can make a powerful impact,” she said.
Kieser said he learned quickly that the need for food was “greater than I realized prior to us being in the food service business. A person is dying somewhere in the world of hunger every 3.6 seconds. Every year, 15 million children die (around the globe) annually. … I went personally to New York City a week before Thanksgiving Day. We took 5,000 meals. The need there is greater than here. I’m thankful the Midwest Food Bank can serve this community, the regional community and reach out beyond that. I’m glad we can make a difference.”
Food is driven by retired or volunteer truck drivers on vacation in semis the food bank supplies. Volunteers also sort food, load the trucks and do all the other work at the warehouse. So many groups have volunteered to help, the schedule for workers is booked through April, Kieser said.
“It is totally humbling for me to see that,” he said. “They call this area ‘the heartland.’ When I think of that word now, I consider it the heartland because people are kind and generous and giving. They’ve touched so many lives.
“The light has to shine on the people who deserve it,” Kieser said. “Thanks to God for blessing them with the spirit of giving. …It’s the elves who make it happen,” he said.
BLOOMINGTON -- Santa may get top billing, but he’s nowhere without his elves.
So says David Kieser, the head Santa at the Bloomington-based Midwest Food Bank. Though he volunteers to lead the food bank, he gives credit to God, his family and a host of volunteers and donors for the food bank’s miracle-like growth during the past five years.
More than 100,000 people are served every month through more than 500 non-profit groups the food bank supplies, according to a recent study by Illinois State University. This year alone, the food bank is expected to distribute canned goods, dry goods and meat valued at more than the $14 million. Food is donated by food manufacturers and grocers, community food drives, and individuals.
The non-profit operation once fit into a garage-sized shed. Today, it fills a huge warehouse on Bloomington’s southeast side. Two more warehouses, one in Peoria and one in Indianapolis, will open in February.
“So many generous, kind people are reaching out to other people,” said Kieser, 52. “The food bank has become an opportunity for others who feel a need to serve those in need.”
Kieser’s brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Laura and Paul and Karen Kieser, took over the responsibilities Kieser and his wife, Wilma, had to the family farming business to give them time to volunteer full time as the food bank grew.
Kieser traces the seed of the Midwest Food Bank to his mother, Jean, and his father, the late Louis Kieser. They raised their large family on a farm just southwest of Bloomington. As a boy, Kieser thought it odd when his mom returned from the grocery store with far more food than her own brood needed.
When he was older, he saw what his strongly Apostolic Christian parents were doing. His mom had Kieser load the surplus food in a Radio Flyer wagon and haul it to a family with eight children who lived nearby.
“I was too young to understand mom wasn’t making a mistake. That was part of the plan,” he said. “It’s a biblical principle to recognize a need and then try to do what you can to fill the need.”
After growing up to run a successful family grain-farm operation, the Kieser siblings were looking for some way to give more back to the community. At the same time, a coalition of non-profit groups that distribute food called Harvest of Hope was searching for a place to serve as a headquarters and storage area. The Kiesers volunteered a shed.
Food collections began to swell, and more and more groups that serve the hungry appeared on the doorstep. Agencies receiving food must be non-profit, they must agree to give what they receive from the Midwest Food Bank to the needy and they cannot sell, barter, trade or raise money with food the bank has supplied.
Corporate and public partners signed on. They include State Farm Insurance Cos., ISU, the cities of Bloomington and Normal, Cub Foods, Caterpillar, Tyson Foods, RMH in Morton and ADM, to name a few. Another major food chain is considering joining. A network of area meat processors and the Eastview Christian Sportsmen agreed to channel surplus venison, hogs and beef to the poor through the bank.
More help arrives every day.
Kieser tells a story of a company representative who noticed the warehouse sign just off Veterans Parkway. He stopped to learn more and asked what his company could do to help.
“It’s absolutely and completely, totally amazing,” Kieser said. “But that’s OK. God is amazing. He can make amazing things happen. … It’s just amazing how God opens doors and how God opens hearts. God is the one touching hearts and moving people do to what they are doing for the food bank.”
The bank is critical to the missions of area agencies, according to Capt. Scott Shelbourn of the Bloomington-based Salvation Army. The food bank is by far the single largest contributor of food to his agency’s food pantry and its homeless shelter, Safe Harbor, he said.
Midwest Food Bank also reaches far beyond Central Illinois. The U.S. Navy sails donations from the bank to areas around the globe that are in desperate need. The bank also responds with the Salvation Army and the Red Cross wherever disaster strikes on U.S. soil. For example, the food bank helped send food during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the Gulf Coast.
“They sent just hundreds of truckloads that benefited so many people,” said Shelbourn, adding national officials of the Salvation Army often call Kieser for help.
“Dave has the contacts to get the food and has trucks to deliver it. That is just fantastic,” Shelbourn said.
Lyn Hruska, executive director of the Bloomington-based American Red Cross of the Heartland, noted her agency awarded Kieser the Ambassador Award for his work outside the community at its 2007 Heroes Breakfast.
“He really is an example of how one person who draws more people in can make a powerful impact,” she said.
Kieser said he learned quickly that the need for food was “greater than I realized prior to us being in the food service business. A person is dying somewhere in the world of hunger every 3.6 seconds. Every year, 15 million children die (around the globe) annually. … I went personally to New York City a week before Thanksgiving Day. We took 5,000 meals. The need there is greater than here. I’m thankful the Midwest Food Bank can serve this community, the regional community and reach out beyond that. I’m glad we can make a difference.”
Food is driven by retired or volunteer truck drivers on vacation in semis the food bank supplies. Volunteers also sort food, load the trucks and do all the other work at the warehouse. So many groups have volunteered to help, the schedule for workers is booked through April, Kieser said.
“It is totally humbling for me to see that,” he said. “They call this area ‘the heartland.’ When I think of that word now, I consider it the heartland because people are kind and generous and giving. They’ve touched so many lives.
“The light has to shine on the people who deserve it,” Kieser said. “Thanks to God for blessing them with the spirit of giving. …It’s the elves who make it happen,” he said.
Women Have Right to Choose to Have Child
Mr. Positivity's blog for this Pantagraph story:
What about a fetal consent form? Delegate the decision to the most interested party.
What about a fetal consent form? Delegate the decision to the most interested party.
New Day of Freezing Rain Already Causing Trouble
Mr. Positivity's blog to this Pantagraph story:
In a related story, the icy roads caused the cancellation of the Prairie Thunder's scheduled hockey game, as players had no means of traveling to the Coliseum.
In a related story, the icy roads caused the cancellation of the Prairie Thunder's scheduled hockey game, as players had no means of traveling to the Coliseum.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Boomshine Record
Play some Boomshine today. My record is getting through all 12 levels in 7 minutes!
The Dark Side
"Show me an enthusiastic leader, and I will show you an enthusiastic workforce. And vice versa: If the leader has a bad day, the whole organization has a bad day." -- Captain Abrashoff
The captain went on to explain what the crew called "the dark side," meaning that he was noticably crankier when operating on insufficient sleep, so the grapevine spread word quickly with a daily report of the number of times he was awakened for emergencies over the course of the night.
"I decided to minimize interaction with the crew on days when the dark side was evident, so that at least I would do no harm."
I've learned a couple of lessons the hard way. When I'm tired, I make bad (yes, cranky) decisions. Some rules I try to live by when I'm cranky: (1) Find a distraction fast, either by doing something productive, fun or relaxing. Sometimes just lying down for a while in front of the TV is good enough to recharge me. (2) Is it time for me to eat or drink something (funny how time can slip by like that)? (3) Never send a negative e-mail, no matter how reasonable it seems! The very act of resisting this temptation actually helps me recover more quickly.
Today I found out some complications of my upcoming visit to Mom's for her knee surgery, the kind of unplanned inconvenience that ratchets the heart rate up a few notches. Now here I sit, after spending some quality time Hiddenblogging and reading some funny articles on the Onion. Life's back on track!
The captain went on to explain what the crew called "the dark side," meaning that he was noticably crankier when operating on insufficient sleep, so the grapevine spread word quickly with a daily report of the number of times he was awakened for emergencies over the course of the night.
"I decided to minimize interaction with the crew on days when the dark side was evident, so that at least I would do no harm."
I've learned a couple of lessons the hard way. When I'm tired, I make bad (yes, cranky) decisions. Some rules I try to live by when I'm cranky: (1) Find a distraction fast, either by doing something productive, fun or relaxing. Sometimes just lying down for a while in front of the TV is good enough to recharge me. (2) Is it time for me to eat or drink something (funny how time can slip by like that)? (3) Never send a negative e-mail, no matter how reasonable it seems! The very act of resisting this temptation actually helps me recover more quickly.
Today I found out some complications of my upcoming visit to Mom's for her knee surgery, the kind of unplanned inconvenience that ratchets the heart rate up a few notches. Now here I sit, after spending some quality time Hiddenblogging and reading some funny articles on the Onion. Life's back on track!
The Right Agenda
"I made it clear that my only agenda was helping the Navy improve, with all due credit to my superiors, not to myself." -- Captain Abrashoff
I'm sure he would include his subordinates as worthy of due credit as well.
This issue of a more casual dress code at work is an exercise in clear expectations and the right agenda. The policy is mostly absent any specifics. I plan to become a walking model of my own interpretation, because people are looking to me to be open about my expectations. People with influence over my career will judge me superficially as a less valuable employee as I move toward more casual attire. In the end, though, it feels the most honest way for me to support the policy to employees... one that the company has deemed to improve its work product, even at the possible expense of my own career.
I'm sure he would include his subordinates as worthy of due credit as well.
This issue of a more casual dress code at work is an exercise in clear expectations and the right agenda. The policy is mostly absent any specifics. I plan to become a walking model of my own interpretation, because people are looking to me to be open about my expectations. People with influence over my career will judge me superficially as a less valuable employee as I move toward more casual attire. In the end, though, it feels the most honest way for me to support the policy to employees... one that the company has deemed to improve its work product, even at the possible expense of my own career.
Why Did The Sailor Fall Asleep?
The captain had an open-and-shut case... if a sailor falls asleep on the job, he's guilty.
Why did you fall asleep on the job? Because I stayed up all night cleaning a dirty workspace.
Why did you stay up all night? Because the chief said I had to do it by 8 a.m.
Why, chief? Because the division officer told me it had to be done by then.
Why, officer? Because the captain told me so.
Not every order is perfect. Good leaders need to be approachable enough so that problematic orders can be safely explained.
Why did you fall asleep on the job? Because I stayed up all night cleaning a dirty workspace.
Why did you stay up all night? Because the chief said I had to do it by 8 a.m.
Why, chief? Because the division officer told me it had to be done by then.
Why, officer? Because the captain told me so.
Not every order is perfect. Good leaders need to be approachable enough so that problematic orders can be safely explained.
State Farm Relaxing Dress Code to Allow Jeans
Mr. Positivity's blog entry to this Pantagraph story:
Hey gang, I'm happy to see the change, regardless of which employer it is. It's an inch toward freedom of choice. If variety is the spice of life, then this is a step in the right direction!
BLOOMINGTON -- Memo to State Farm Insurance Cos. employees: Put denim, not Dockers, on this year’s Christmas list.
Bloomington-Normal’s largest employer will relax its current business casual dress code starting Jan. 2 to allow some workers to wear blue jeans and other more comfortable clothing depending on their daily work duties, said spokesman Phil Supple.
“It’s all about the business,” Supple said. “It’s a change in the philosophy of how we apply the dress code.”
Department leaders for State Farm’s 68,000 employees in the United States and Canada will decide what dress guidelines their employees will follow to still put the company’s best foot forward with the public, Supple said. The insurance company’s 17,000 agents are independent contractors and already decide what they and their staff members wear in their offices, he said.
A more casual blue jeans dress environment has been typical for years in certain industries, such as technology or creative fields like advertising, said Tim Longfellow, chair of the marketing department at Illinois State University, which instituted a business casual dress code at professors’ discretion this fall for marketing students.
But State Farm is the first large corporate business in the Twin Cities that Longfellow knows of to announce such a change. He doesn’t know if other companies will follow the insurer’s example, but he thinks they’ll watch and see the upsides and downsides.
“It really depends on the contact that person has with customers and clients,” Longfellow said. “That will sometimes vary.”
The same is true with the evolution of the dress code at State Farm.
Individual departments within State Farm will make their dress code decisions based on the needs of the workers and the office customs and cultures, Supple said.
For example, managers might allow employees who spend their time in an office or cubicle to wear jeans, whereas employees who have face-to-face contact with other business professionals or customers may still need to wear Dockers or a suit and tie, Supple said. Those department guidelines could even change daily depending on what work employees have on the calendar on a certain day, he said.
The further relaxing of the dress code comes 10 years after State Farm adopted a business casual philosophy to stay competitive in a changing corporate environment, Supple said.
“Times continue to change, and we want to expand that ability to dress more comfortable when appropriate to attract and retain top quality for our workforce,” said Supple, noting the insurance giant has seen other companies move in the same direction.
As baby boomers retire in the next five to 10 years, employers will have a huge need to attract the best new workers, Longfellow said. Businesses compete for the top job candidates through wages, flexible hours and other unique benefits like employee day-care centers, he said.
“Companies are really looking at all these different things to enhance the lifestyle for their employees,” Longfellow said.
Hey gang, I'm happy to see the change, regardless of which employer it is. It's an inch toward freedom of choice. If variety is the spice of life, then this is a step in the right direction!
BLOOMINGTON -- Memo to State Farm Insurance Cos. employees: Put denim, not Dockers, on this year’s Christmas list.
Bloomington-Normal’s largest employer will relax its current business casual dress code starting Jan. 2 to allow some workers to wear blue jeans and other more comfortable clothing depending on their daily work duties, said spokesman Phil Supple.
“It’s all about the business,” Supple said. “It’s a change in the philosophy of how we apply the dress code.”
Department leaders for State Farm’s 68,000 employees in the United States and Canada will decide what dress guidelines their employees will follow to still put the company’s best foot forward with the public, Supple said. The insurance company’s 17,000 agents are independent contractors and already decide what they and their staff members wear in their offices, he said.
A more casual blue jeans dress environment has been typical for years in certain industries, such as technology or creative fields like advertising, said Tim Longfellow, chair of the marketing department at Illinois State University, which instituted a business casual dress code at professors’ discretion this fall for marketing students.
But State Farm is the first large corporate business in the Twin Cities that Longfellow knows of to announce such a change. He doesn’t know if other companies will follow the insurer’s example, but he thinks they’ll watch and see the upsides and downsides.
“It really depends on the contact that person has with customers and clients,” Longfellow said. “That will sometimes vary.”
The same is true with the evolution of the dress code at State Farm.
Individual departments within State Farm will make their dress code decisions based on the needs of the workers and the office customs and cultures, Supple said.
For example, managers might allow employees who spend their time in an office or cubicle to wear jeans, whereas employees who have face-to-face contact with other business professionals or customers may still need to wear Dockers or a suit and tie, Supple said. Those department guidelines could even change daily depending on what work employees have on the calendar on a certain day, he said.
The further relaxing of the dress code comes 10 years after State Farm adopted a business casual philosophy to stay competitive in a changing corporate environment, Supple said.
“Times continue to change, and we want to expand that ability to dress more comfortable when appropriate to attract and retain top quality for our workforce,” said Supple, noting the insurance giant has seen other companies move in the same direction.
As baby boomers retire in the next five to 10 years, employers will have a huge need to attract the best new workers, Longfellow said. Businesses compete for the top job candidates through wages, flexible hours and other unique benefits like employee day-care centers, he said.
“Companies are really looking at all these different things to enhance the lifestyle for their employees,” Longfellow said.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Good-Bye Negative Thoughts
Winner's Circle Network with Lou Tice - "Good-bye Negative Thoughts"
OK, so we've now spent two days becoming aware of the negatives in our thoughts. Are you having trouble getting some of those negative thoughts to go away?
No one, not even the most optimistic person in the world, can think positively all the time. But successful people know how to get rid of their negative thoughts fast when they do appear.
Here's a great technique that originated with Matt Oechsli, a therapeutic hypnotist:
First, identify the thought that is bothering you. Most likely, it is a fear of something. Is it failure? Rejection? Incompetence? Could it be illness or catastrophe?
Secondly, interrupt it by visualizing a candle flame and taking a long, deep breath. You can't think two thoughts at the same time, so you'll find your fear diminishing, and the deep breathing triggers a relaxation response.
Third, eject it. As you exhale, imagine that you are breathing out the fearful or negative thought. See the candle flame flicker and go out as you blow it away with your breath.
Finally, replace it. Put a positive affirmation in its place and repeat it several times.
Remember: identify, interrupt, eject and replace. It will take some practice at first, but this is a technique that can help you learn how to take charge of your thoughts, and at the same time, you will be taking charge of your life.
OK, so we've now spent two days becoming aware of the negatives in our thoughts. Are you having trouble getting some of those negative thoughts to go away?
No one, not even the most optimistic person in the world, can think positively all the time. But successful people know how to get rid of their negative thoughts fast when they do appear.
Here's a great technique that originated with Matt Oechsli, a therapeutic hypnotist:
First, identify the thought that is bothering you. Most likely, it is a fear of something. Is it failure? Rejection? Incompetence? Could it be illness or catastrophe?
Secondly, interrupt it by visualizing a candle flame and taking a long, deep breath. You can't think two thoughts at the same time, so you'll find your fear diminishing, and the deep breathing triggers a relaxation response.
Third, eject it. As you exhale, imagine that you are breathing out the fearful or negative thought. See the candle flame flicker and go out as you blow it away with your breath.
Finally, replace it. Put a positive affirmation in its place and repeat it several times.
Remember: identify, interrupt, eject and replace. It will take some practice at first, but this is a technique that can help you learn how to take charge of your thoughts, and at the same time, you will be taking charge of your life.
Just Stay
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
'Your son is here,' she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength.
Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
'Who was that man?' he asked.
The nurse was startled, 'He was your father,' she answered.
'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied. 'I never saw him before in my life.'
'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'
'I knew right away there had been a mistake,
but I also knew he needed his son, and his
son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell
whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'
The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.
'Your son is here,' she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength.
Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
'Who was that man?' he asked.
The nurse was startled, 'He was your father,' she answered.
'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied. 'I never saw him before in my life.'
'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'
'I knew right away there had been a mistake,
but I also knew he needed his son, and his
son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell
whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'
The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.
Negative Awareness
Winner's Circle Network with Lou Tice - "Awareness Part II"
So, how did you do in your 24 hours of "no negative thinking?" Today, I want to continue talking about trying to break negative thinking addiction.
We have been talking about the fact that negative thinking can be a harmful addiction, and about how to raise our awareness of the amount of negative thinking we do by learning to pay attention without blaming ourselves.
Today, I want to take it one step further and talk about what you can do to break this destructive habit, once you realize that you have it.
The first thing to do is stop justifying or defending your negative thoughts. While it may be true that they are perfectly rational, they are not doing you or anyone else any good. So stop labeling them as reasonable or unreasonable. Just notice them.
Another thing to do is declare a ban on all negative thinking for short periods every day, say for 30 minutes when you get up, or right before you go to bed. Then, gradually extend those times.
One final strategy is to be an ace disputer. Learn to argue with your negative thoughts and to replace them with positive ones. Every possible subject has a positive side. Accomplished positive thinkers know they have a choice about where they want to focus their attention, and they choose the positive aspect. You can too. Say, "Yes," to life and to breaking the negative thinking addiction. You can do it!
So, how did you do in your 24 hours of "no negative thinking?" Today, I want to continue talking about trying to break negative thinking addiction.
We have been talking about the fact that negative thinking can be a harmful addiction, and about how to raise our awareness of the amount of negative thinking we do by learning to pay attention without blaming ourselves.
Today, I want to take it one step further and talk about what you can do to break this destructive habit, once you realize that you have it.
The first thing to do is stop justifying or defending your negative thoughts. While it may be true that they are perfectly rational, they are not doing you or anyone else any good. So stop labeling them as reasonable or unreasonable. Just notice them.
Another thing to do is declare a ban on all negative thinking for short periods every day, say for 30 minutes when you get up, or right before you go to bed. Then, gradually extend those times.
One final strategy is to be an ace disputer. Learn to argue with your negative thoughts and to replace them with positive ones. Every possible subject has a positive side. Accomplished positive thinkers know they have a choice about where they want to focus their attention, and they choose the positive aspect. You can too. Say, "Yes," to life and to breaking the negative thinking addiction. You can do it!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Jazz 12/19/2007
I've probably run hundreds of miles without experiencing a "runner's high." But tonight I think I felt "coach's high."
You see, as of last night I was still trying to come up with an offense. It seemed like a generally good use of my time, since we have all of two hours' worth of practice time left until our first game. The offense I'd tried last week was OK, but it seemed congested. Late last evening, somewhere between the time that Dena came home from her church activities and I started watching re-runs of Law & Order, some ideas started to grow... a kind of inside-outside offense where the guards rotate in a circle whenever the forwards have the ball, and the forwards rotate whenever the guards have the ball.
By the time I was within an hour of the start of practice, I was still fuzzy on how to actually teach this thing.
So we started by doing a shooting drill from the outside, from the left wing and the left corner, the two prime spots in the offense (each team has 2.5 minutes to make as many as they could, with me as all-time passer and the other team rebounding). Not only did it work out that the contests were very close and therefore spirited and fun, but I also discovered a couple of kids that were surprisingly good gunners!
After that we practiced just the guard rotation part of the offense, which was simple enough, and then the forward rotation by itself. Then I braced for chaos as we prepared to do both at the same time.
It worked like clockwork! I was stunned. Eventually we tried taking a few shots out of the offense and that worked too.
Oh, and get this -- I started practice by asking them how often they'd like to practice. They unanimously said twice a week, and the few parents who were there were all supportive.
So, the team is not only happy, but eager to practice more and surprisingly (to me) quick learners. For all I know, we may still be the lousiest team in the league, but they are the best team in my world at the moment!
Now, if I can just get more than six to show up, I can see how well things work against a defense...
You see, as of last night I was still trying to come up with an offense. It seemed like a generally good use of my time, since we have all of two hours' worth of practice time left until our first game. The offense I'd tried last week was OK, but it seemed congested. Late last evening, somewhere between the time that Dena came home from her church activities and I started watching re-runs of Law & Order, some ideas started to grow... a kind of inside-outside offense where the guards rotate in a circle whenever the forwards have the ball, and the forwards rotate whenever the guards have the ball.
By the time I was within an hour of the start of practice, I was still fuzzy on how to actually teach this thing.
So we started by doing a shooting drill from the outside, from the left wing and the left corner, the two prime spots in the offense (each team has 2.5 minutes to make as many as they could, with me as all-time passer and the other team rebounding). Not only did it work out that the contests were very close and therefore spirited and fun, but I also discovered a couple of kids that were surprisingly good gunners!
After that we practiced just the guard rotation part of the offense, which was simple enough, and then the forward rotation by itself. Then I braced for chaos as we prepared to do both at the same time.
It worked like clockwork! I was stunned. Eventually we tried taking a few shots out of the offense and that worked too.
Oh, and get this -- I started practice by asking them how often they'd like to practice. They unanimously said twice a week, and the few parents who were there were all supportive.
So, the team is not only happy, but eager to practice more and surprisingly (to me) quick learners. For all I know, we may still be the lousiest team in the league, but they are the best team in my world at the moment!
Now, if I can just get more than six to show up, I can see how well things work against a defense...
Day of Awareness
Winner's Circle Network with Lou Tice - "Day of Awareness"
Do you know anyone who is addicted to negative thoughts? Perhaps it's someone closer than you thought.
I am not an expert on addictions, but I've been told that an addiction is behavior that is usually harmful and that controls you, rather than the other way around. Can negative thinking be an addiction? You bet it can. Can it harm you? It sure can. How can you tell if your negative thoughts are out of control? Well, the first step is awareness.
Let's make today your Day of Awareness. As an experiment, here is something you can try, something I often ask my seminar participants to do. Try going through one whole day, 24 hours, without thinking a single negative thought. No sarcasm, no put-downs, no belittling - of others or of yourself.
Now, most people notice quite a few negative thoughts during that day of awareness. But that is not all they do. They get upset at themselves for thinking those negative thoughts, and they end up caught in a mental double negative.
So give yourself a break. Just pay attention without blaming. Notice your thought patterns for 24 hours. Once you become aware of how much control negative thinking has over your life, you may choose to change it. It may be a snap to change, it may not be so easy, but you can do it! First, though, raise your awareness of what's happening today - your Day of Awareness.
Do you know anyone who is addicted to negative thoughts? Perhaps it's someone closer than you thought.
I am not an expert on addictions, but I've been told that an addiction is behavior that is usually harmful and that controls you, rather than the other way around. Can negative thinking be an addiction? You bet it can. Can it harm you? It sure can. How can you tell if your negative thoughts are out of control? Well, the first step is awareness.
Let's make today your Day of Awareness. As an experiment, here is something you can try, something I often ask my seminar participants to do. Try going through one whole day, 24 hours, without thinking a single negative thought. No sarcasm, no put-downs, no belittling - of others or of yourself.
Now, most people notice quite a few negative thoughts during that day of awareness. But that is not all they do. They get upset at themselves for thinking those negative thoughts, and they end up caught in a mental double negative.
So give yourself a break. Just pay attention without blaming. Notice your thought patterns for 24 hours. Once you become aware of how much control negative thinking has over your life, you may choose to change it. It may be a snap to change, it may not be so easy, but you can do it! First, though, raise your awareness of what's happening today - your Day of Awareness.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Thank the Failure Away
Today was a little rough at work. Try this -- for the next three full working days, write a list of ideas that you think would make the company better. Survey your co-workers and get their buy-in to develop the document into its final form that everyone is excited about. Spend at least a few of those hours carefully choosing the wording and checking the style. Hand it to your boss, and watch him toss it into the trash and replace it with a list of his own ideas for making the company better, most of which are little change from what's in place today, then ask you to implement them. That's not exactly what happened, but the gist (and the amount of hours invested) was about the same. Influence is not my strong suit, and it's naturally frustrating to fail.
How often does anger swell up inside of you? Maybe often enough that it becomes important to develop a means to relieve it... after all, the physically damaging effects of anger are well documented. What is the aspirin?
One that I like is to "thank it away." From the most basic blessings like ample food, to the cheerfulness of co-workers, friends and family at every turn, there is so much to be thankful for as a way of distracting us from anger... I simply have to train myself such that thankfulness becomes an instinctive response to anger. Simple does not mean easy, but in this case it is ultimately worthwhile. Literally, it lengthens life and makes it happier, why wait for even a day?
How often does anger swell up inside of you? Maybe often enough that it becomes important to develop a means to relieve it... after all, the physically damaging effects of anger are well documented. What is the aspirin?
One that I like is to "thank it away." From the most basic blessings like ample food, to the cheerfulness of co-workers, friends and family at every turn, there is so much to be thankful for as a way of distracting us from anger... I simply have to train myself such that thankfulness becomes an instinctive response to anger. Simple does not mean easy, but in this case it is ultimately worthwhile. Literally, it lengthens life and makes it happier, why wait for even a day?
12 Days of Christmas Choral Chaos!
These guys have practiced!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Lead By Example
"A leader will never accomplish what he or she wants by ordering it done. Real leadership must be done by example, not precept. Whether you like it or not, people follow your example." -- Captain Abrashoff
A corollary: So if you're not in the mood to be a good example, then find a place to chill out for a while. And if the situation doesn't allow for that, then find a way to grin. There is always something in life to grin about!
A corollary: So if you're not in the mood to be a good example, then find a place to chill out for a while. And if the situation doesn't allow for that, then find a way to grin. There is always something in life to grin about!
Unleashing Their Potential
"As I saw it, my job was to create the climate that enabled people to unleash their potential. Given the right environment, there are few limits to what people can achieve." -- Captain Abrashoff
How many times have we seen a similar quote from leaders on this blog? The quest for the right environment -- where people are given lots of rein in exchange for accountable, high results -- is a noble one!
How many times have we seen a similar quote from leaders on this blog? The quest for the right environment -- where people are given lots of rein in exchange for accountable, high results -- is a noble one!
Limits of Freedom
"When I took command of Benfold, I realized that no one, including me, is capable of making every decision. I would have to train my people to think and make judgments on their own. Empowering means defining the parameters in which people are allowed to operate, and then setting them free.
But how free was free? Where were the limits?
I chose my line in the sand. Whenever the consequences of a decision had the potential to kill or injure someone, waste taxpayers' money, or damage the ship, I had to be consulted. Short of those contingencies, the crew was authorized to make their own decisions." -- Captain Abrashoff
The retention rate of his ship jumped from 28 to 100 percent and stayed there!
But how free was free? Where were the limits?
I chose my line in the sand. Whenever the consequences of a decision had the potential to kill or injure someone, waste taxpayers' money, or damage the ship, I had to be consulted. Short of those contingencies, the crew was authorized to make their own decisions." -- Captain Abrashoff
The retention rate of his ship jumped from 28 to 100 percent and stayed there!
Somewhere Out There
I've got a soft spot for romantic duets. Here's one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRaieyN77UI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRaieyN77UI
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Tiger Woods Putts Baby Into Diaper
From the Onion:
ORLANDO, FL—Tiger Woods added yet another accomplishment to his already outstanding résumé Sunday when the 13-time major winner successfully putted his baby daughter, five-month-old Sam Alexis Woods, into a fresh Huggies diaper.
Dressed in his signature red shirt, black pants, and black Nike golf shoes, Woods—who has not played competitive golf in three months in order to stay at home and spend time with his newborn daughter—followed the clutch 12-foot putt with a celebratory fist pump before hugging caddie Steve Williams, who was handling the baby's skin ointment.
"The living room carpet was rolling especially fast today," Woods later told reporters, adding that his maid had vacuumed the night before, "so at first I was naturally hesitant about hitting the baby too hard. But Stevie told me to be firm with the putt, since the room goes slightly uphill near the recliner, and we both knew the baby would move slower there. Especially around where we placed the diaper, because of the changing pad."
"Also, Sam-Alexis gained a quarter of a pound last week," said Woods, who took his time lining up the putt of his infant daughter, first studying its slight left-to-right break from behind the baby and then taking a sight line from behind the diaper. "As soon as the baby's bottom left my putter, I knew she was in."
Once more displaying his uncanny ability to stay focused even in the most high-pressure situations, Woods did not let his infant's multiple shrieks distract him, calmly stepping away from his squalling baby daughter three times before executing the putt.
"You can't let those kinds of things change your approach," Woods said. "When it comes to being a father, if something distracts you from putting your baby—even the screams of the curled-up baby itself—you have to have the patience to step away, take a deep breath, grip the club, and go through your pre-changing routine until the moment is right. I wasn't going to putt Sam until she was completely silent."
Added Woods: "The only thought going through my head was 'Do not leave this baby short.'"
According to Woods' caddy, the nine-time PGA Tour Player Of The Year has been diligently working on his typically flawless baby-changing mechanics since a disappointing change several Mondays ago, during which the normally unflappable Woods took three putts to get his daughter fastened into her LeakLock design diapers.
"Before today, Tiger was trying to guide the baby into the diaper instead of letting the baby get in the way of the putter head," Williams said. "Making this [putt] should be a huge confidence boost for Tiger, especially going into tonight's major post-feeding change. That one can be a huge mess if you don't get it just so."
Williams said that Woods' recent success on the living-room carpet can be attributed to his demanding practice regimen, which consists of waking up Sam-Alexis at 5 a.m. every morning and putting his baby girl 15 consecutive times from distances of three, five, eight, and 12 feet into various practice diapers located throughout the house.
The practice diapers, Williams said, are placed on the kitchen's fast linoleum floors, the dining room's slow, gnarly pile carpet, and at the base of the family-room stairs. If Woods misses just one putt in the sequence, he starts from the beginning of the routine, thereby pushing some practice sessions to nearly five hours in length.
Woods said that he took the practice time as an opportunity to get back to basics and reacquaint himself with key bits of child-rearing passed down from this late father, Earl.
"My dad always told me, 'Putt your baby to the picture,'" Woods said. "When I stepped up to Sam, I had a clear mental image of the middle portion of her cute little butt disappearing into her diaper with just enough force to pull the front of the diaper up to the front of her belly and pull the tabs around to the fastening surface."
"It's funny how putting your baby can go in streaks," a reflective Woods continued. "Sometimes the diaper looks like it's the size of a straw hole, and other times it can seem as big as an ocean."
According to Woods, with he and his wife Elin planning on going back to work soon, Woods will also assume other child-rearing responsibilities, including driving his daughter to day care by using the Nike SQ Sumo2 5900 driver to rocket her the 370 yards necessary to fly her over the trees, pond, and beach that stand between his front door and Sam's day-care center.
ORLANDO, FL—Tiger Woods added yet another accomplishment to his already outstanding résumé Sunday when the 13-time major winner successfully putted his baby daughter, five-month-old Sam Alexis Woods, into a fresh Huggies diaper.
Dressed in his signature red shirt, black pants, and black Nike golf shoes, Woods—who has not played competitive golf in three months in order to stay at home and spend time with his newborn daughter—followed the clutch 12-foot putt with a celebratory fist pump before hugging caddie Steve Williams, who was handling the baby's skin ointment.
"The living room carpet was rolling especially fast today," Woods later told reporters, adding that his maid had vacuumed the night before, "so at first I was naturally hesitant about hitting the baby too hard. But Stevie told me to be firm with the putt, since the room goes slightly uphill near the recliner, and we both knew the baby would move slower there. Especially around where we placed the diaper, because of the changing pad."
"Also, Sam-Alexis gained a quarter of a pound last week," said Woods, who took his time lining up the putt of his infant daughter, first studying its slight left-to-right break from behind the baby and then taking a sight line from behind the diaper. "As soon as the baby's bottom left my putter, I knew she was in."
Once more displaying his uncanny ability to stay focused even in the most high-pressure situations, Woods did not let his infant's multiple shrieks distract him, calmly stepping away from his squalling baby daughter three times before executing the putt.
"You can't let those kinds of things change your approach," Woods said. "When it comes to being a father, if something distracts you from putting your baby—even the screams of the curled-up baby itself—you have to have the patience to step away, take a deep breath, grip the club, and go through your pre-changing routine until the moment is right. I wasn't going to putt Sam until she was completely silent."
Added Woods: "The only thought going through my head was 'Do not leave this baby short.'"
According to Woods' caddy, the nine-time PGA Tour Player Of The Year has been diligently working on his typically flawless baby-changing mechanics since a disappointing change several Mondays ago, during which the normally unflappable Woods took three putts to get his daughter fastened into her LeakLock design diapers.
"Before today, Tiger was trying to guide the baby into the diaper instead of letting the baby get in the way of the putter head," Williams said. "Making this [putt] should be a huge confidence boost for Tiger, especially going into tonight's major post-feeding change. That one can be a huge mess if you don't get it just so."
Williams said that Woods' recent success on the living-room carpet can be attributed to his demanding practice regimen, which consists of waking up Sam-Alexis at 5 a.m. every morning and putting his baby girl 15 consecutive times from distances of three, five, eight, and 12 feet into various practice diapers located throughout the house.
The practice diapers, Williams said, are placed on the kitchen's fast linoleum floors, the dining room's slow, gnarly pile carpet, and at the base of the family-room stairs. If Woods misses just one putt in the sequence, he starts from the beginning of the routine, thereby pushing some practice sessions to nearly five hours in length.
Woods said that he took the practice time as an opportunity to get back to basics and reacquaint himself with key bits of child-rearing passed down from this late father, Earl.
"My dad always told me, 'Putt your baby to the picture,'" Woods said. "When I stepped up to Sam, I had a clear mental image of the middle portion of her cute little butt disappearing into her diaper with just enough force to pull the front of the diaper up to the front of her belly and pull the tabs around to the fastening surface."
"It's funny how putting your baby can go in streaks," a reflective Woods continued. "Sometimes the diaper looks like it's the size of a straw hole, and other times it can seem as big as an ocean."
According to Woods, with he and his wife Elin planning on going back to work soon, Woods will also assume other child-rearing responsibilities, including driving his daughter to day care by using the Nike SQ Sumo2 5900 driver to rocket her the 370 yards necessary to fly her over the trees, pond, and beach that stand between his front door and Sam's day-care center.
Get That Next Promotion By Not Caring
"One sailor told me that the crew thought I cared more about performance and them than about my next promotion. That's another thing you need to know about your people: They are more perceptive than you give them credit for, and they always know the score -- even when you don't want them to." -- Captain Abrashoff
10-Year-Old Homeless Girl Receives SDSU Scholarship
http://www.10news.com/news/14856283/detail.html
SAN DIEGO -- During this time of year many children hope for iPods, video games or maybe a new bike. Digital correspondent Ron Tuatagaloa introduces a 10-year-old homeless girl whose dreams are a bit loftier.
While most of the student body at San Diego State University scrambles to finish finals, 10-year-old Brittnie Pemberton has secured her future there.
A photo of a San Diego State University sign and Brittnie Pemberton's hope for a college scholarship appeared as part of the Salvation Army's Pictures of Hope -- a 14-greeting card set that benefits their homeless program.
The SDSU Alumni Association got wind of the story and made Brittnie's hopes a reality with a 4-year scholarship.
"I was expecting just to get a tour and I got a scholarship and it was really cool," Brittnie said.
Brittnie's mother Tanya was understandably thrilled.
"I don't know how you bring this to words," she said.
Tanya and her family have been living at the Salvation Army's Transitional Living Center for the last six months. After many tough times, the scholarship stands out as a beacon of hope.
"So many things open up," Tanya said. "So many opportunities; so many ways to find knowledge."
Mother and daughter both look forward to Brittne's future on Montezuma Mesa.
"I'm looking forward to having a good time at school; seeing what I can do," Brittnie said.
For information on how to purchase cards featuring the pictures of hope, visit the Salvation Army’s Web site.
SAN DIEGO -- During this time of year many children hope for iPods, video games or maybe a new bike. Digital correspondent Ron Tuatagaloa introduces a 10-year-old homeless girl whose dreams are a bit loftier.
While most of the student body at San Diego State University scrambles to finish finals, 10-year-old Brittnie Pemberton has secured her future there.
A photo of a San Diego State University sign and Brittnie Pemberton's hope for a college scholarship appeared as part of the Salvation Army's Pictures of Hope -- a 14-greeting card set that benefits their homeless program.
The SDSU Alumni Association got wind of the story and made Brittnie's hopes a reality with a 4-year scholarship.
"I was expecting just to get a tour and I got a scholarship and it was really cool," Brittnie said.
Brittnie's mother Tanya was understandably thrilled.
"I don't know how you bring this to words," she said.
Tanya and her family have been living at the Salvation Army's Transitional Living Center for the last six months. After many tough times, the scholarship stands out as a beacon of hope.
"So many things open up," Tanya said. "So many opportunities; so many ways to find knowledge."
Mother and daughter both look forward to Brittne's future on Montezuma Mesa.
"I'm looking forward to having a good time at school; seeing what I can do," Brittnie said.
For information on how to purchase cards featuring the pictures of hope, visit the Salvation Army’s Web site.
Happy Happy Joy Joy Song
This is one of the classics from my college days! If the words "Ren 'n Stimpy" mean anything to you, prepare for a major nostalgia rush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABWyXKT5qt4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABWyXKT5qt4&feature=related
An Instant Mood-Lifter
While walking in to work the other day, amidst a December drizzle and absorbed in the challenges of the hours ahead, I brushed past a person walking a little more slowly than me.
"Hey, Joe!" he called from behind. It turned out to be a distant acquaintance of mine, a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend sort of thing. We had a pleasant conversation for the next two minutes.
That small gesture of friendship turned my mood entirely around! The difference between sun and shadow can be so thin sometimes. In his situation, I don't know that I'd have done the same thing. But it'd be a good idea, because my improved mood no doubt impacted the others I worked with that day. Knowing that, there'd be as much joy in the giving of that gift as in the receiving.
"Hey, Joe!" he called from behind. It turned out to be a distant acquaintance of mine, a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend sort of thing. We had a pleasant conversation for the next two minutes.
That small gesture of friendship turned my mood entirely around! The difference between sun and shadow can be so thin sometimes. In his situation, I don't know that I'd have done the same thing. But it'd be a good idea, because my improved mood no doubt impacted the others I worked with that day. Knowing that, there'd be as much joy in the giving of that gift as in the receiving.
Play at Work
"There were also our music videos, courtesy of stealth technology. We have all heard of the stealth bomber. We are now building ships using stealth characteristics to minimize our radar signature so that the enemy cannot easily find us. By using angled decks and radar-absorbing materials on the hull, an enemy's radar beam is either deflected or absorbed. The angled superstructure of that stealth technology resembles the screen of an old drive-in movie theater. So we project music videos on that surface, which the refueling crews can enjoy. The shows generated a lot of buzz throughout the fleet and lightened up a tedious and sometimes dangerous job." -- Captain Abrashoff
At our office we do a couple of things to lighten the mood. First are the monthly lunches, where people take turns sponsoring a game that we play while people eat in. Second are the occasional practical jokes. For example recently Brad's desk drawer jammed, which prompted a maintenance man to come by and remove it briefly. At one point Brad stepped away from his desk. Upon returning, his cubicle neighbor Jack convinced him that the maintenance man had returned with instructions that Brad empty his whole desk in order to complete his review.
At our office we do a couple of things to lighten the mood. First are the monthly lunches, where people take turns sponsoring a game that we play while people eat in. Second are the occasional practical jokes. For example recently Brad's desk drawer jammed, which prompted a maintenance man to come by and remove it briefly. At one point Brad stepped away from his desk. Upon returning, his cubicle neighbor Jack convinced him that the maintenance man had returned with instructions that Brad empty his whole desk in order to complete his review.
Adjust!
Yesterday I listened in on a "diversity" panel, and I was impressed by a comment from the Indian woman about arranged marriages. The spouses may find reasons to squabble sometimes, even often, but the marriage thrives because of dedication to adjusting.
That word "adjust" can spare a lot of self-pity. There's always a way to light more brightly the path that we're already on!
That word "adjust" can spare a lot of self-pity. There's always a way to light more brightly the path that we're already on!
Learn, But Delegate
"Officers are told to delegate authority and empower subordinates, but in reality they are expected never to utter the words 'I don't know.' So they are on constant alert, riding herd on every detail. In short, the system rewards micromanagement by superiors -- at the cost of disempowering those below." -- Captain Abrashoff
I do experience the expectation to have answers, since it does make business move faster when I have them. And that has driven me to ask for more detailed accounts from those who work for me. I see a difference, though, between having answers and disempowering others. Because as long as I'm well-educated in the matters of most importance to my superiors, it doesn't matter who made the decisions along the way.
I do experience the expectation to have answers, since it does make business move faster when I have them. And that has driven me to ask for more detailed accounts from those who work for me. I see a difference, though, between having answers and disempowering others. Because as long as I'm well-educated in the matters of most importance to my superiors, it doesn't matter who made the decisions along the way.
Chain Mail
A friend of ours recently sent us one of those chain e-mail games where you answer questions. What are friends for? So I sent back a few answers like so.
"Okay, this one is different - this is funny. YOU fill in the blanks about ME and send it back to ME. But FIRST send a blank one out to all your friends, including me, so we can return the favor to you. Be honest , they're really SCARY to get back. It only takes a few minutes, so just do it! First send (forward) this survey to everyone you know to see how well he or she knows you. Second, hit 'reply' and fill this survey out about the person who sent it to you and send it back to them.
1. Where did we meet? At the bank, though I was in a ski mask at the time so unless she recognizes my voice, she wouldn't know it.
2. Do I smoke? Not even when set on fire.
3. How many children do I have? Good Lord, you're kidnapping children now?
4. If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring? More than 75 pounds of tasty, nutrient-rich protein (assuming that you weigh at least 75 pounds)."
"Okay, this one is different - this is funny. YOU fill in the blanks about ME and send it back to ME. But FIRST send a blank one out to all your friends, including me, so we can return the favor to you. Be honest , they're really SCARY to get back. It only takes a few minutes, so just do it! First send (forward) this survey to everyone you know to see how well he or she knows you. Second, hit 'reply' and fill this survey out about the person who sent it to you and send it back to them.
1. Where did we meet? At the bank, though I was in a ski mask at the time so unless she recognizes my voice, she wouldn't know it.
2. Do I smoke? Not even when set on fire.
3. How many children do I have? Good Lord, you're kidnapping children now?
4. If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring? More than 75 pounds of tasty, nutrient-rich protein (assuming that you weigh at least 75 pounds)."
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Baby Monitor
So that's why they scream bloody murder whenever someone asks me to hold them...
Babies gravitate toward good Samaritans, study says By Tom A. Peter
Six- and 10-month-old babies are much more capable judges of character than previously thought. Not only can infants pick out a good Samaritan, they tend to identify with them, according to a Yale University study published in the journal Nature.
The study released last month presented babies with a diorama-like display of an anthropomorphic circle struggling to make it up a hill. Just when it appeared that all hope was lost, a heroic triangle appeared, and pushed the circle to the top. The round climber bounces, clearly elated to have reached the summit. The same scenario is played out again, only this time a square appears at the top of the hill and pushes the circle to the bottom.
The babies were then asked to pick a toy – the helper or the hinderer, as scientists called them. One hundred percent of 6-month-olds and 87.5 percent of 10-month-olds chose the helper. The results were consistent even when the triangle and the square swapped places as good guy and bad guy. In several other iterations of the experiment, the helper, regardless of shape or color, won out.
"Babies are very competent socially," says Kiley Hamlin, lead author of the study. "They can figure this kind of stuff out without people explicitly teaching what's nice and not nice and who's nice and who's not nice."
In another component of the study, researchers showed the circle choosing to sit with the helper or the hinderer. In this instance they found that 10-month-old babies were far more adept at noticing something seemed strange when the circle decided to sit with the hinderer. (They figured this out by how long the baby watched the helper or hinderer pair up with the circle, working under the assumption that babies, like adults, study something that appears out of the ordinary.)
While other research has shown that babies make assessments about people based on their physical appearance – they gravitate toward attractive people – these new findings show more complex levels of judgment.
"In any species that needs to cooperate as much as humans do … we always need to know who might be a good cooperator and who might not," says Ms. Hamlin.
Babies gravitate toward good Samaritans, study says By Tom A. Peter
Six- and 10-month-old babies are much more capable judges of character than previously thought. Not only can infants pick out a good Samaritan, they tend to identify with them, according to a Yale University study published in the journal Nature.
The study released last month presented babies with a diorama-like display of an anthropomorphic circle struggling to make it up a hill. Just when it appeared that all hope was lost, a heroic triangle appeared, and pushed the circle to the top. The round climber bounces, clearly elated to have reached the summit. The same scenario is played out again, only this time a square appears at the top of the hill and pushes the circle to the bottom.
The babies were then asked to pick a toy – the helper or the hinderer, as scientists called them. One hundred percent of 6-month-olds and 87.5 percent of 10-month-olds chose the helper. The results were consistent even when the triangle and the square swapped places as good guy and bad guy. In several other iterations of the experiment, the helper, regardless of shape or color, won out.
"Babies are very competent socially," says Kiley Hamlin, lead author of the study. "They can figure this kind of stuff out without people explicitly teaching what's nice and not nice and who's nice and who's not nice."
In another component of the study, researchers showed the circle choosing to sit with the helper or the hinderer. In this instance they found that 10-month-old babies were far more adept at noticing something seemed strange when the circle decided to sit with the hinderer. (They figured this out by how long the baby watched the helper or hinderer pair up with the circle, working under the assumption that babies, like adults, study something that appears out of the ordinary.)
While other research has shown that babies make assessments about people based on their physical appearance – they gravitate toward attractive people – these new findings show more complex levels of judgment.
"In any species that needs to cooperate as much as humans do … we always need to know who might be a good cooperator and who might not," says Ms. Hamlin.
Meow!
Two questions had been bothering me lately: "Why hasn't anyone invented glow-in-the-dark cats?" and "What's Hwang Woo-Suk up to these days?" God answers prayers!
SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean scientists have cloned cats by manipulating a fluorescent protein gene, a procedure which could help develop treatments for human genetic diseases, officials said Wednesday.
In a side-effect, the cloned cats glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet beams.
A team of scientists led by Kong Il-keun, a cloning expert at Gyeongsang National University, produced three cats possessing altered fluorescence protein (RFP) genes, the Ministry of Science and Technology said.
"It marked the first time in the world that cats with RFP genes have been cloned," the ministry said in a statement.
"The ability to produce cloned cats with the manipulated genes is significant as it could be used for developing treatments for genetic diseases and for reproducing model (cloned) animals suffering from the same diseases as humans," it added.
The cats were born in January and February. One was stillborn while two others grew to become adult Turkish Angoras, weighing 3.0 kilogrammes (6.6 pounds) and 3.5 kilogrammes.
"This technology can be applied to clone animals suffering from the same diseases as humans," the leading scientist, Kong, told AFP.
"It will also help develop stemcell treatments," he said, noting that cats have some 250 kinds of genetic diseases that affect humans, too.
The technology can also help clone endangered animals like tigers, leopards and wildcats, Kong said.
South Korea's bio-engineering industry suffered a setback after a much-touted achievement by cloning expert Hwang Woo-Suk turned out to have been faked.
The government banned Hwang from research using human eggs after his claims that he created the first human stem cells through cloning were ruled last year to be bogus.
Hwang is standing trial on charges of fraud and embezzlement.
SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean scientists have cloned cats by manipulating a fluorescent protein gene, a procedure which could help develop treatments for human genetic diseases, officials said Wednesday.
In a side-effect, the cloned cats glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet beams.
A team of scientists led by Kong Il-keun, a cloning expert at Gyeongsang National University, produced three cats possessing altered fluorescence protein (RFP) genes, the Ministry of Science and Technology said.
"It marked the first time in the world that cats with RFP genes have been cloned," the ministry said in a statement.
"The ability to produce cloned cats with the manipulated genes is significant as it could be used for developing treatments for genetic diseases and for reproducing model (cloned) animals suffering from the same diseases as humans," it added.
The cats were born in January and February. One was stillborn while two others grew to become adult Turkish Angoras, weighing 3.0 kilogrammes (6.6 pounds) and 3.5 kilogrammes.
"This technology can be applied to clone animals suffering from the same diseases as humans," the leading scientist, Kong, told AFP.
"It will also help develop stemcell treatments," he said, noting that cats have some 250 kinds of genetic diseases that affect humans, too.
The technology can also help clone endangered animals like tigers, leopards and wildcats, Kong said.
South Korea's bio-engineering industry suffered a setback after a much-touted achievement by cloning expert Hwang Woo-Suk turned out to have been faked.
The government banned Hwang from research using human eggs after his claims that he created the first human stem cells through cloning were ruled last year to be bogus.
Hwang is standing trial on charges of fraud and embezzlement.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Challenge Rules, and Others Will Follow
"One of the ways I demonstrated [to my crew] my commitment [to the principle of questioning and challenging rules] was to question and challenge rules to my bosses. In the end, both my bosses and my crew listened." -- Captain Abrashoff
I don't know how challenging it is, per se, but yesterday I commented on dress code and will try to make a difference by proposing the following. Got to give props to the following site:
Adapted from http://humanresources.about.com/od/workrelationships/a/dress_casual.htm
The objective in establishing a relaxed, casual, and informal work dress code is to work comfortably in the workplace. Yet, certain standards are established so as to understand the meaning and appropriate use of casual dress.
Casual Dress Code Guidelines
These guidelines will help determine what is appropriate to wear to work. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional, casual appearance at work.
Jeans, sneakers and a more casual approach to dressing are allowed. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable. Unacceptable would be clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your stomach or your underwear.
Clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable.
Business Casual Dress Code Guidelines
While the department setting is casual, traveling outside the department requires different decisions about attire. Business casual dress remains appropriate in certain situations, and the definition of “business casual” is intended to be the same as in recent years.
Examples of business casual slacks are cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, dressy Capri’s, and nice looking dress synthetic pants. Other examples are casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee. Examples of acceptable tops would be dress shirts, sweaters, polo shirts, and turtlenecks.
Situations for Dress Codes Other Than Casual
Casual dress is permissible in all situations except for:
• Meetings with non-Department employees at or above the level of Assistant Vice President, unless expressly permitted otherwise.
• Meetings with people who are not employees, such as policyholders, agents, and auditors.
• Meetings in any non-Department area where a different dress code is known to exist.
• Meetings not on company property, such as off-site seminars.
Conclusion
No dress code can cover all contingencies so we must exert a certain amount of judgment in our choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable casual attire for work, please ask your supervisor or Human Resources representative.
I don't know how challenging it is, per se, but yesterday I commented on dress code and will try to make a difference by proposing the following. Got to give props to the following site:
Adapted from http://humanresources.about.com/od/workrelationships/a/dress_casual.htm
The objective in establishing a relaxed, casual, and informal work dress code is to work comfortably in the workplace. Yet, certain standards are established so as to understand the meaning and appropriate use of casual dress.
Casual Dress Code Guidelines
These guidelines will help determine what is appropriate to wear to work. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional, casual appearance at work.
Jeans, sneakers and a more casual approach to dressing are allowed. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable. Unacceptable would be clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your stomach or your underwear.
Clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable.
Business Casual Dress Code Guidelines
While the department setting is casual, traveling outside the department requires different decisions about attire. Business casual dress remains appropriate in certain situations, and the definition of “business casual” is intended to be the same as in recent years.
Examples of business casual slacks are cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, dressy Capri’s, and nice looking dress synthetic pants. Other examples are casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee. Examples of acceptable tops would be dress shirts, sweaters, polo shirts, and turtlenecks.
Situations for Dress Codes Other Than Casual
Casual dress is permissible in all situations except for:
• Meetings with non-Department employees at or above the level of Assistant Vice President, unless expressly permitted otherwise.
• Meetings with people who are not employees, such as policyholders, agents, and auditors.
• Meetings in any non-Department area where a different dress code is known to exist.
• Meetings not on company property, such as off-site seminars.
Conclusion
No dress code can cover all contingencies so we must exert a certain amount of judgment in our choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable casual attire for work, please ask your supervisor or Human Resources representative.
Positivity on the Loose!
Hey, I figured out a way to cheat toward becoming Mr. Positivity in 2007 (see goals to the left).
The Pantagraph newspaper lets readers make comments about articles under an assumed name. So here is Mr. Positivity's first ever post, regarding an editorial about prayer in schools:
"So what's the best solution to the "prayer in schools" question here? Here's one option to get us talking: Each student may choose whether or not to pray, what to pray about, when and how to pray, as long as it doesn't violate other school rules (attendance, violence, etc.). Likewise, schools may offer scheduled time to pray, and must protect students' freedom to choose without influence.
Why would this work? Or how could it be improved? Or what might be better?"
The Pantagraph newspaper lets readers make comments about articles under an assumed name. So here is Mr. Positivity's first ever post, regarding an editorial about prayer in schools:
"So what's the best solution to the "prayer in schools" question here? Here's one option to get us talking: Each student may choose whether or not to pray, what to pray about, when and how to pray, as long as it doesn't violate other school rules (attendance, violence, etc.). Likewise, schools may offer scheduled time to pray, and must protect students' freedom to choose without influence.
Why would this work? Or how could it be improved? Or what might be better?"
Saturday, December 8, 2007
"Not Quite Perfect" McDonald's Opens in Outlet Mall
From the Onion:
GURNEE, IL—Hungry shoppers at the Gurnee Mills outlet mall can now get a name-brand lunch at a bargain-basement price, thanks to the Monday opening of McDonald's first "Not Quite Perfect" outlet store, offering imperfect and irregular items from the fast-food giant's menu.
"It's true that consistency is part of what makes McDonald's the leader in the fast-food industry, but so is good value," said Brian Landers, manager of the McDonald's outlet. "When customers see the low, low prices, they're more than willing to give our Six-Piece Quarter Pounders and Fish McGriddles a try. The food's a little different at this McDonald's, but it's really very close."
Continued Landers: "Now, who's ready for factory seconds?!"
Located next to a Levi's outlet store offering mis-stitched and off-season apparel, the McDonald's outlet will be the destination for all products that do not meet the strict requirements of the restaurant's 30,000 regular stores worldwide.
"McDonald's prides itself on having exacting standards for its products," Landers said. "But throwing away all-carrot Salad Shakers, parallelogram-shaped hash browns, and McRibNuggets seemed so wasteful. With more of our customers struggling to make ends meet, we knew people would appreciate the opportunity to buy these slightly irregular products at irresistibly low prices."
In addition to factory mistakes, the outlet will offer items that were tested in limited markets but never received a wide release.
"We had a warehouse full of meat patties made in the shape of our golden-arch logo," Landers said. "A young, quickly fired executive thought it would be a good idea to make an 'M'-shaped burger, but it was expensive to produce, and depending where you took a bite, you had a very good chance of getting no beef. Plus, who's going to open up a burger just to look at the oddly shaped meat patty? Now, we're thawing them out and serving them up for only 30 cents apiece."
Landers said that, while a number of customers have been wary, the prices are so astounding that "people always come back for more."
"I've seen more than one person approach our firm-serve cones with skepticism," Landers said. "But at 20 cents each, we can hardly keep them in stock."
Landers added, "Once they get over the mental block after eating a flash-frozen pyramid of vanilla ice cream, customers realize they just can't beat these prices."
The outlet store, at 32,000 square feet, is the largest McDonald's in the world. In addition to serving irregular meal items, the outlet store houses irregular McDonald's decor.
A $1.99 value meal available at the "Not Quite Perfect" McDonald's.
"These aren't the traditional McDonald's color schemes," Landers said, gesturing to chairs and tables in puce, mottled gray, and army green. "And while some customers make comments about our posters—a printer placed a black child's head on top of a white, elderly cashier's body—well, I think they look very nice once you get used to them."
The outlet also features a shop that sells irregular McDonald's products like boxes of frozen foot-long fries and bags of unsweetened orange-drink syrup.
"The bulk-foods section of the shop hasn't caught on as well as we'd hoped," Landers said. "We think that may be in part a question of functionality. Our 10-gallon buckets of McRib sauce, for example, are reasonably priced, but most people don't have condiment pumps at home. Of course, even those who do are sometimes disappointed to find relish inside."
The outlet's PlayPlace features not-quite-perfect McDonaldland icons.
"Parents worry about our ball pit, but those triangular balls meet Illinois minimum-safety requirements," Landers said. "What we've really gotten complaints about are the statues of the McDonaldland characters. Ronald McDonald's eyes were put in wrong so he's looking in two different directions, our Grimace is pink, and for some reason, the Hamburglar has no teeth."
In spite of the few complaints, most outlet patrons say the bargain prices are well worth enduring the irregular food.
"It's not like the meat's tainted," said Mack Vesper, a longtime McDonald's customer. "A Quarter Pounder on a half-size seedless bun tastes just as good. And, while the gray Shamrock Shake took some getting used to, once you realize that you're getting all the flavor at an eighth of the price, you adapt. Besides, who looks at the color of the shake once you start drinking it?"
Some customers said the "Not Quite Perfect" McDonald's is not for them.
"I'll never take my children there again," said Anita Sibakis, mother of three. "They opened up the Happy Meal and there were headless Mulan figurines in there. It scared the bejesus out my youngest."
GURNEE, IL—Hungry shoppers at the Gurnee Mills outlet mall can now get a name-brand lunch at a bargain-basement price, thanks to the Monday opening of McDonald's first "Not Quite Perfect" outlet store, offering imperfect and irregular items from the fast-food giant's menu.
"It's true that consistency is part of what makes McDonald's the leader in the fast-food industry, but so is good value," said Brian Landers, manager of the McDonald's outlet. "When customers see the low, low prices, they're more than willing to give our Six-Piece Quarter Pounders and Fish McGriddles a try. The food's a little different at this McDonald's, but it's really very close."
Continued Landers: "Now, who's ready for factory seconds?!"
Located next to a Levi's outlet store offering mis-stitched and off-season apparel, the McDonald's outlet will be the destination for all products that do not meet the strict requirements of the restaurant's 30,000 regular stores worldwide.
"McDonald's prides itself on having exacting standards for its products," Landers said. "But throwing away all-carrot Salad Shakers, parallelogram-shaped hash browns, and McRibNuggets seemed so wasteful. With more of our customers struggling to make ends meet, we knew people would appreciate the opportunity to buy these slightly irregular products at irresistibly low prices."
In addition to factory mistakes, the outlet will offer items that were tested in limited markets but never received a wide release.
"We had a warehouse full of meat patties made in the shape of our golden-arch logo," Landers said. "A young, quickly fired executive thought it would be a good idea to make an 'M'-shaped burger, but it was expensive to produce, and depending where you took a bite, you had a very good chance of getting no beef. Plus, who's going to open up a burger just to look at the oddly shaped meat patty? Now, we're thawing them out and serving them up for only 30 cents apiece."
Landers said that, while a number of customers have been wary, the prices are so astounding that "people always come back for more."
"I've seen more than one person approach our firm-serve cones with skepticism," Landers said. "But at 20 cents each, we can hardly keep them in stock."
Landers added, "Once they get over the mental block after eating a flash-frozen pyramid of vanilla ice cream, customers realize they just can't beat these prices."
The outlet store, at 32,000 square feet, is the largest McDonald's in the world. In addition to serving irregular meal items, the outlet store houses irregular McDonald's decor.
A $1.99 value meal available at the "Not Quite Perfect" McDonald's.
"These aren't the traditional McDonald's color schemes," Landers said, gesturing to chairs and tables in puce, mottled gray, and army green. "And while some customers make comments about our posters—a printer placed a black child's head on top of a white, elderly cashier's body—well, I think they look very nice once you get used to them."
The outlet also features a shop that sells irregular McDonald's products like boxes of frozen foot-long fries and bags of unsweetened orange-drink syrup.
"The bulk-foods section of the shop hasn't caught on as well as we'd hoped," Landers said. "We think that may be in part a question of functionality. Our 10-gallon buckets of McRib sauce, for example, are reasonably priced, but most people don't have condiment pumps at home. Of course, even those who do are sometimes disappointed to find relish inside."
The outlet's PlayPlace features not-quite-perfect McDonaldland icons.
"Parents worry about our ball pit, but those triangular balls meet Illinois minimum-safety requirements," Landers said. "What we've really gotten complaints about are the statues of the McDonaldland characters. Ronald McDonald's eyes were put in wrong so he's looking in two different directions, our Grimace is pink, and for some reason, the Hamburglar has no teeth."
In spite of the few complaints, most outlet patrons say the bargain prices are well worth enduring the irregular food.
"It's not like the meat's tainted," said Mack Vesper, a longtime McDonald's customer. "A Quarter Pounder on a half-size seedless bun tastes just as good. And, while the gray Shamrock Shake took some getting used to, once you realize that you're getting all the flavor at an eighth of the price, you adapt. Besides, who looks at the color of the shake once you start drinking it?"
Some customers said the "Not Quite Perfect" McDonald's is not for them.
"I'll never take my children there again," said Anita Sibakis, mother of three. "They opened up the Happy Meal and there were headless Mulan figurines in there. It scared the bejesus out my youngest."
Leggo My Ego!
"Leaders must be willing to put the ship's performance ahead of their egos... Eventually, I told the crew 'It's your ship. You're responsible for it. Make a decision and see what happens.'" -- Captain Abrashoff
We've seen this elsewhere in the "Five Dysfunctions of a Team," which stresses emphasis on results over ego.
In fact, I'm looking forward to our meeting on Tuesday where we'll review the department's 2008 goals. Several of these goals have been set not by me, but by those who would be accountable for achieving them. That kind of ownership inspires dedication.
We've seen this elsewhere in the "Five Dysfunctions of a Team," which stresses emphasis on results over ego.
In fact, I'm looking forward to our meeting on Tuesday where we'll review the department's 2008 goals. Several of these goals have been set not by me, but by those who would be accountable for achieving them. That kind of ownership inspires dedication.
Cards and Cocoa
A couple of my Leadership McLean County pals put on this charity event:
This Saturday is the “Cards and Cocoa” event sponsored by the Volunteer Dept. here at St. Joseph Medical Center. The event is spearheaded by Jennifer Sedbrook (we all interviewed for LMC with her). All are invited. It begins at 9 am in the Business and Conference Center, which is the free standing building on the west side of the SJMC campus. Please bring any extra Christmas cards you may have on hand. The treats will be supplied. I look forward to seeing anyone that can attend!
The room was festively decorated in red and green table cloths, snacks, and lighted trees. About 40 people, including children, volunteered for two hours. The instructions were simple: Address the card to "a friend," anonymously except for your first name. Then the sealed envelope was labeled with a "St. Joe's Volunteer Services" sticker, and the merry wishes were delivered to hospital residents to brighten their season.
The total haul was over 1,000 cards in two hours!
This Saturday is the “Cards and Cocoa” event sponsored by the Volunteer Dept. here at St. Joseph Medical Center. The event is spearheaded by Jennifer Sedbrook (we all interviewed for LMC with her). All are invited. It begins at 9 am in the Business and Conference Center, which is the free standing building on the west side of the SJMC campus. Please bring any extra Christmas cards you may have on hand. The treats will be supplied. I look forward to seeing anyone that can attend!
The room was festively decorated in red and green table cloths, snacks, and lighted trees. About 40 people, including children, volunteered for two hours. The instructions were simple: Address the card to "a friend," anonymously except for your first name. Then the sealed envelope was labeled with a "St. Joe's Volunteer Services" sticker, and the merry wishes were delivered to hospital residents to brighten their season.
The total haul was over 1,000 cards in two hours!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Getting Inside Our Head
Michael Abrashoff captained one of the Navy's most modern ships and transformed it into one of the highest-producing, lowest-turnover in the fleet during his brief tenure. His book "It's Your Ship" details his leadership philosophies and experiences.
"Real leadership is about understanding yourself first, then using that to create a superb organization."
One of my most memorable experiences as a supervisor was the lady who came into my office and diagnosed her chief weakness exactly as I would, without any coaching from me. A person who is both honest and accurate in self-awareness gains immediate credibility from others. And gaining self-awareness can be as simple (if not easy) as asking for feedback! It does take skill, though -- the skill of first demonstrating to others that you consider yourself no better than your peers, so that they are convinced that you will respond to unfavorable feedback with gratitude rather than resentment.
"Real leadership is about understanding yourself first, then using that to create a superb organization."
One of my most memorable experiences as a supervisor was the lady who came into my office and diagnosed her chief weakness exactly as I would, without any coaching from me. A person who is both honest and accurate in self-awareness gains immediate credibility from others. And gaining self-awareness can be as simple (if not easy) as asking for feedback! It does take skill, though -- the skill of first demonstrating to others that you consider yourself no better than your peers, so that they are convinced that you will respond to unfavorable feedback with gratitude rather than resentment.
Dressed for Success... or Just to Impress?
Today my employer released a new dress code philosophy. Excellent! It basically gives employees guidance to dress appropriately for local expectations of internal and external customers.
Of course, expectations are highly varied depending upon who you ask; if you walk down most any crowded hallway of adults, at least one will equate professionalism with a suit, perhaps following the logic that higher-maintenance clothes (ones that require tying, ironing, etc.) reflect a greater work ethic.
The concept of "diversity" has filled the offices and public squares of America practically since its inception. Equal opportunity is promoted as an American ideal, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. The words of Martin Luther King dream of judgment not by the "color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
What good comes of preserving judgment against one's appearance? If a person sits in a meeting in his birthday suit, isn't he equally capable of producing outstanding results as if he were heavily clothed? Does his output on paper vary if he wears a tattoo, or a half-shirt, or shredded jeans? In some cases, yes. There is some connection between looking good and doing good. The question is whether forcing someone to look good will force him to do good.
Dress codes defend those who judge others based upon appearance. What would happen if our philosophy was to reprimand the judge rather than the judged? If we focused on output rather than outerwear?
Of course, expectations are highly varied depending upon who you ask; if you walk down most any crowded hallway of adults, at least one will equate professionalism with a suit, perhaps following the logic that higher-maintenance clothes (ones that require tying, ironing, etc.) reflect a greater work ethic.
The concept of "diversity" has filled the offices and public squares of America practically since its inception. Equal opportunity is promoted as an American ideal, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. The words of Martin Luther King dream of judgment not by the "color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
What good comes of preserving judgment against one's appearance? If a person sits in a meeting in his birthday suit, isn't he equally capable of producing outstanding results as if he were heavily clothed? Does his output on paper vary if he wears a tattoo, or a half-shirt, or shredded jeans? In some cases, yes. There is some connection between looking good and doing good. The question is whether forcing someone to look good will force him to do good.
Dress codes defend those who judge others based upon appearance. What would happen if our philosophy was to reprimand the judge rather than the judged? If we focused on output rather than outerwear?
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Jazz It Up
So last night was my first as coach of the Jazz, the 6th through 8th grade squad of ten that I am charged to lead through 4 practices and 8 games of basketball, or at least something marginally resembling it.
I picked basketball coaching because, as regular readers know, I love competition and teaching. I also love my nieces and nephews, and hanging around them gave me the confidence to give coaching a shot.
It's a long season, so I'll save my stories about individual players for a little later. Here's what happened that surprised me, and didn't:
I wasn't surprised to see a bag of YMCA basketballs waiting for me when I arrived. That's part of the reason that I picked the Y -- it's a long-standing program with a partnership with the NBA, so I figured that it would be fairly well organized. Surprise -- 5 of the 6 balls were girls-sized.
I wasn't surprised that they paid attention to me for the whole hour. I scheduled a packed practice filled with jumping, shooting, defensive and dribbling contests that were as much fun to watch as they must have been to do. I was surprised at how knowledgeable they were about the game. In particular, I'd planned to walk through the BEEF shortcut for shooting:
Balance -- feet shoulder width apart, one slightly forward
Eyes -- always watch the rim, not the ball
Elbow -- straight at the basket
Follow-through -- wrist flush forward toward the hoop
Half the team already knew it!
I wasn't surprised that they were reluctant to do some of the cheesy things for learning each other's names -- clapping, chanting, etc. What surprised me was that when we went around the circle to introduce ourselves, my worry about having two kids named Devonte on the team was quickly solved since they both had nicknames.
I wasn't surprised that the gym was new, and just the right size for our needs. I was surprised that three parents stuck around the whole time to watch, and one even pitched in to help hold a tape measure for me when I struggled.
It was a great first night of practice for our team, the Jazz. My goal's simply to teach these guys to be good teammates. I want to win every game, but I'm OK if we don't win any, as long as the kids cheer each other on. We're guaranteed to win in one respect... I'm setting up the year-end pizza party!
I picked basketball coaching because, as regular readers know, I love competition and teaching. I also love my nieces and nephews, and hanging around them gave me the confidence to give coaching a shot.
It's a long season, so I'll save my stories about individual players for a little later. Here's what happened that surprised me, and didn't:
I wasn't surprised to see a bag of YMCA basketballs waiting for me when I arrived. That's part of the reason that I picked the Y -- it's a long-standing program with a partnership with the NBA, so I figured that it would be fairly well organized. Surprise -- 5 of the 6 balls were girls-sized.
I wasn't surprised that they paid attention to me for the whole hour. I scheduled a packed practice filled with jumping, shooting, defensive and dribbling contests that were as much fun to watch as they must have been to do. I was surprised at how knowledgeable they were about the game. In particular, I'd planned to walk through the BEEF shortcut for shooting:
Balance -- feet shoulder width apart, one slightly forward
Eyes -- always watch the rim, not the ball
Elbow -- straight at the basket
Follow-through -- wrist flush forward toward the hoop
Half the team already knew it!
I wasn't surprised that they were reluctant to do some of the cheesy things for learning each other's names -- clapping, chanting, etc. What surprised me was that when we went around the circle to introduce ourselves, my worry about having two kids named Devonte on the team was quickly solved since they both had nicknames.
I wasn't surprised that the gym was new, and just the right size for our needs. I was surprised that three parents stuck around the whole time to watch, and one even pitched in to help hold a tape measure for me when I struggled.
It was a great first night of practice for our team, the Jazz. My goal's simply to teach these guys to be good teammates. I want to win every game, but I'm OK if we don't win any, as long as the kids cheer each other on. We're guaranteed to win in one respect... I'm setting up the year-end pizza party!
Trash or Treasure?
Here's a story told by a friend of mine. May your leftovers find a place other than the trash!
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to work with the Compassion Center and the Safe Harbor Shelter here in Bloomington through the Leadership McLean County program. I was shocked at the number of homeless people we have right here in our community. There are approximately 126 homeless people including 12 who literally live out on the streets. Many of these people have families and have jobs, but still oftentimes lack the funds for a warm meal, much less a home.
After our SFCV luncheon, I had the privilege of delivering our extra food to the shelter. It was an amazing experience, seeing the looks on these peoples faces…just to get a good meal today. I saw young adults (probably still in their teens) and elderly people who looked like they could have been any one of our grandparents.
I was only there a minute…simply to drop off the food. While there, I witnessed many smiles and received numerous "thanks" from people whose only hot meal today may be the one we delivered. As I left, I could hardly contain my emotions knowing that in just a few short weeks I'll be celebrating the holidays with my family, in a nice warm home, sitting in front of my nice warm fireplace, taking a nice long nap after eating way too much food.
It is a wonderful feeling, though, knowing that we are working to make a difference in our community by helping people less fortunate than ourselves.
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to work with the Compassion Center and the Safe Harbor Shelter here in Bloomington through the Leadership McLean County program. I was shocked at the number of homeless people we have right here in our community. There are approximately 126 homeless people including 12 who literally live out on the streets. Many of these people have families and have jobs, but still oftentimes lack the funds for a warm meal, much less a home.
After our SFCV luncheon, I had the privilege of delivering our extra food to the shelter. It was an amazing experience, seeing the looks on these peoples faces…just to get a good meal today. I saw young adults (probably still in their teens) and elderly people who looked like they could have been any one of our grandparents.
I was only there a minute…simply to drop off the food. While there, I witnessed many smiles and received numerous "thanks" from people whose only hot meal today may be the one we delivered. As I left, I could hardly contain my emotions knowing that in just a few short weeks I'll be celebrating the holidays with my family, in a nice warm home, sitting in front of my nice warm fireplace, taking a nice long nap after eating way too much food.
It is a wonderful feeling, though, knowing that we are working to make a difference in our community by helping people less fortunate than ourselves.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sick of Me
The airwaves have been quiet for the last week, but my body has been active!
1. I caught a cold the day after my last post, that's on the decline except for a sporadic cough.
2. I caught two viruses in my left eye... one was conjunctivitis (pink eye), and one called irisitis which is a swelling of the iris that results in high sensitivity to light and touch.
Fortunately, my illness didn't cause me to miss the Jingle Bell Run, thanks to the season's first powerful winter storm that sheeted our condo's driveway so completely with ice that my 90-year old neighbor needed me to park his car for him.
So I've been bonding with Zicam, Sudafed, cough drops, my bed, and a humidifier for the past week. And I've got my "professor" look going at work these days, since the drops (containing a little bit of steroids!) for my eyes don't allow contacts so I've brought out the glasses. But I'm on the mend and will have tales to tell soon!
1. I caught a cold the day after my last post, that's on the decline except for a sporadic cough.
2. I caught two viruses in my left eye... one was conjunctivitis (pink eye), and one called irisitis which is a swelling of the iris that results in high sensitivity to light and touch.
Fortunately, my illness didn't cause me to miss the Jingle Bell Run, thanks to the season's first powerful winter storm that sheeted our condo's driveway so completely with ice that my 90-year old neighbor needed me to park his car for him.
So I've been bonding with Zicam, Sudafed, cough drops, my bed, and a humidifier for the past week. And I've got my "professor" look going at work these days, since the drops (containing a little bit of steroids!) for my eyes don't allow contacts so I've brought out the glasses. But I'm on the mend and will have tales to tell soon!
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