The Get Motivated! seminar was a fun getaway that broke up a tough week at the office. Efforts to reconcile a bunch of figures with each other was hitting a brick wall. During the two days I was gone, Jennifer handled the action smoothly, and my refreshed mind helped to make some decisions to close out the week.
The mini-vacation was unfortunately a snack fest. Got back on track once we got home. But we'll have to keep a close eye on the scale the next week since it's topping out at record levels. Not a problem, as long as it's muscle mass...
After making such progress at work, this Labor Day weekend has seemed unusually long and relaxing. A couple evening walks with Dena. A healthy round of b-ball on Saturday and a successful trip to the weight room, a good comeback from some knee discomfort that had fired up a week earlier. Caught up on blogging even though my new computer remained in the shop, and the old computer suddenly refused to pull up the internet (thanks for sharing, D!). Then magically the internet came back to life Sunday night, letting me make some deep headway into some condominium association work. Cleared out a backlog of laundry. Spent three gorgeous days poolside reading about my newest interest... the philosophy of Warren Buffett, America's wildly successful investor, and inspiration for an earlier retirement. If there's one thing the Get Motivated! seminar generated, it's a spark that might lead us to purchase our first individual stocks.
Thanks to a rally, 4 of 5 fantasy baseball teams are in first place with a month to go. September is about the most exciting month of the baseball season, as a dozen or so teams scramble for the playoffs, and this fall looks to be no exception. College football launched Alabama toward its national title defense in convincing 45-point victorious fashion. Meanwhile, with the NFL season kicking off this week, I've stocked up on fantasy mags and am prepping for another run at it.
And now a short work week ahead, and the prospect of continued late summer weather.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
End Run
"It doesn't matter where you start, it's where you end." - Colin Powell
I'm a mediocre basketball coach. If you don't believe it, come see me sometime. Clearly I'm new at this.
Before that, I was lousy at reading tax law. Couldn't play the guitar for more than 15 minutes thanks to tender fingers, and an inability to finish a song from start to finish without flubbing. Needed two hours to make a supervisory decision. My soccer kicks sailed high of the net. Strained my voice whenever I tried to hit higher notes, and ran out of breath too soon. Practically read a word-for-word script when public speaking. No clue as to whom to call for condo troubles. Rode the pines on the freshman high school "B" hoops team. Struggled to come up with one blog post per day.
Confidence and faith make the difference. Patience for experience makes the difference. Perseverance and humility make the difference.
Next season, I'll be a different coach. And the same will be true for the next adventure after that. Things will work out in the end.
I'm a mediocre basketball coach. If you don't believe it, come see me sometime. Clearly I'm new at this.
Before that, I was lousy at reading tax law. Couldn't play the guitar for more than 15 minutes thanks to tender fingers, and an inability to finish a song from start to finish without flubbing. Needed two hours to make a supervisory decision. My soccer kicks sailed high of the net. Strained my voice whenever I tried to hit higher notes, and ran out of breath too soon. Practically read a word-for-word script when public speaking. No clue as to whom to call for condo troubles. Rode the pines on the freshman high school "B" hoops team. Struggled to come up with one blog post per day.
Confidence and faith make the difference. Patience for experience makes the difference. Perseverance and humility make the difference.
Next season, I'll be a different coach. And the same will be true for the next adventure after that. Things will work out in the end.
Music To My Jeers
Laura Bush used the phrase "sacred music of democracy" to describe complaints and criticisms directed against leadership (or anyone, really).
While I remain convinced that there must be a more civil forum for the exchange of ideas/opinions than the majority of derisively sensationalist shows out there... Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Reilly come readily to mind... it is a tremendous blessing to live so freely that government can be relentlessly verbally attacked as they wish. Open communication is vital for success. In turn, the people are free to censor what they will by changing the channel, it can't be forced upon them.
So thank goodness in that respect for the myriad composers of "nay," who remind me of the "yay" of American freedom.
While I remain convinced that there must be a more civil forum for the exchange of ideas/opinions than the majority of derisively sensationalist shows out there... Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Reilly come readily to mind... it is a tremendous blessing to live so freely that government can be relentlessly verbally attacked as they wish. Open communication is vital for success. In turn, the people are free to censor what they will by changing the channel, it can't be forced upon them.
So thank goodness in that respect for the myriad composers of "nay," who remind me of the "yay" of American freedom.
If At First You Don't Succeed... Then You've Learned
"There is no failure, only feedback."
"If you're willing to fail, you'll succeed greatly."
"A way to success: fail fast."
- Anonymous
As sometimes happens, a friend of mine asked if I'd review a letter he'd drafted. The letter was in response to a dispute with a co-worker. In a phone call and a note, she had vehemently accused him of incompetence. The draft response was filled with sharp and frustrated retorts and, naturally, some defensiveness.
It rang familiar. Hidden Bloggers know that I've failed in these situations several times. How? By pressing the Send button instead of letting the venting safely and healthily evaporate via the Delete key! I've yet to see a situation resolved via e-debate, and once anger creeps in - forget it. Anger is a flare-up condition like acne or poison ivy. It doesn't reflect the true nature of the person, and it's temporary... unless scratched. Kindness is the salve against all but the most extreme cases. One day, I'll practice that preaching in all respects of life, not just at the keyboard. Meanwhile, the lessons continue...
"If you're willing to fail, you'll succeed greatly."
"A way to success: fail fast."
- Anonymous
As sometimes happens, a friend of mine asked if I'd review a letter he'd drafted. The letter was in response to a dispute with a co-worker. In a phone call and a note, she had vehemently accused him of incompetence. The draft response was filled with sharp and frustrated retorts and, naturally, some defensiveness.
It rang familiar. Hidden Bloggers know that I've failed in these situations several times. How? By pressing the Send button instead of letting the venting safely and healthily evaporate via the Delete key! I've yet to see a situation resolved via e-debate, and once anger creeps in - forget it. Anger is a flare-up condition like acne or poison ivy. It doesn't reflect the true nature of the person, and it's temporary... unless scratched. Kindness is the salve against all but the most extreme cases. One day, I'll practice that preaching in all respects of life, not just at the keyboard. Meanwhile, the lessons continue...
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Crimson Tide Household Upset By Plans For Final Arrangements
An Alabama fan asked his wife if she would plan to have his body buried or cremated after he eventually passes away.
"Actually, I think I'll just have you stuffed and set by the television," she replied. "That way, when I try to talk to you on game days it'll be like you never left."
"Actually, I think I'll just have you stuffed and set by the television," she replied. "That way, when I try to talk to you on game days it'll be like you never left."
Enemies Of Kiwanis, Unicef Launch Extermination Campaign
Accidental espionage revealed a plot against the venerable Kiwanis and Unicef institutions over the weekend.
A button was spied lying on the desk of a graphic designer carrying the phrase "ELIMINATE" above the logos for the two organizations.
"Clearly someone is targeting Kiwanis and Unicef, the way a cheetah stalks the weakest gazelle in the herd, or the Terminator was sent back in time by SkyNet to destroy John Connor," announced a spokesperson for Americans Against Volunteerism. "We support the action, especially if there are in fact killer robots involved."
"Kiwanis was founded in 1915, Unicef in 1946," shared a kind-eyed woman from the Philanthropy Euthanasia Association. "They've had a long, happy life. It's their time. They're ready to go."
No group has claimed responsibility for the operation. They could be anywhere, maybe even infiltrating the ranks quietly for years building up to an impending, universally coordinated moment of attack.
Scrambling to avert international panic and exodus from their membership rolls, the organizations hastily assembled a program and released a public service announcement suggesting instead a campaign against maternal and neonatal tetanus.
A button was spied lying on the desk of a graphic designer carrying the phrase "ELIMINATE" above the logos for the two organizations.
"Clearly someone is targeting Kiwanis and Unicef, the way a cheetah stalks the weakest gazelle in the herd, or the Terminator was sent back in time by SkyNet to destroy John Connor," announced a spokesperson for Americans Against Volunteerism. "We support the action, especially if there are in fact killer robots involved."
"Kiwanis was founded in 1915, Unicef in 1946," shared a kind-eyed woman from the Philanthropy Euthanasia Association. "They've had a long, happy life. It's their time. They're ready to go."
No group has claimed responsibility for the operation. They could be anywhere, maybe even infiltrating the ranks quietly for years building up to an impending, universally coordinated moment of attack.
Scrambling to avert international panic and exodus from their membership rolls, the organizations hastily assembled a program and released a public service announcement suggesting instead a campaign against maternal and neonatal tetanus.
Lamination Inspires Awe
News that laminating a piece of paper is "way easy" caused a stir within the condominium board community.
An association eager to post its most recently updated set of pool rules embarked on a mission to get laminated copies developed.
"It ought to be sturdy that way," explained the official in pointing out a chain-link fence to which the rules were attached. "Resistant to wind. And especially rain."
He had no idea how long it would take to get a few copies of the two-page document made and treated.
"The copies, yeah no problem," he said. "But lamination? What, maybe a 24-hour job after I place the order?"
Upon entering FedEx Office, he was stunned by the signage above the counter.
"There's this list of 'self-service' items. Like copying. And then it says lamination up there. I'm like, 'daaaamn!'"
However, the machine was not immediately evident, as he wandered about trying to look nonchalant and with a clue. After two circles around the floor, he made his way to the counter.
"The guy was so helpful. I'm sitting there thinking that we'll do each page separately. Then he's like, 'Would you like to put them together?' And I'm thinking, 'Whoa, good idea.'"
Turns out that the laminator was a compact little machine right smack in the middle of the room, almost hidden under some paper. Within sixty seconds, the clerk had demonstrated the process.
"You just slide the copy into the plastic, then the plastic into the protective cover, then the cover into the machine. Slides through, done! Thirty seconds tops. Even a fool couldn't mess it up."
Perspectives varied. "He forgot to turn off the machine," said the clerk.
Despite the $4 per page cost, the man indicated near-term plans to laminate the association's by-laws, tax returns, and water bill.
An association eager to post its most recently updated set of pool rules embarked on a mission to get laminated copies developed.
"It ought to be sturdy that way," explained the official in pointing out a chain-link fence to which the rules were attached. "Resistant to wind. And especially rain."
He had no idea how long it would take to get a few copies of the two-page document made and treated.
"The copies, yeah no problem," he said. "But lamination? What, maybe a 24-hour job after I place the order?"
Upon entering FedEx Office, he was stunned by the signage above the counter.
"There's this list of 'self-service' items. Like copying. And then it says lamination up there. I'm like, 'daaaamn!'"
However, the machine was not immediately evident, as he wandered about trying to look nonchalant and with a clue. After two circles around the floor, he made his way to the counter.
"The guy was so helpful. I'm sitting there thinking that we'll do each page separately. Then he's like, 'Would you like to put them together?' And I'm thinking, 'Whoa, good idea.'"
Turns out that the laminator was a compact little machine right smack in the middle of the room, almost hidden under some paper. Within sixty seconds, the clerk had demonstrated the process.
"You just slide the copy into the plastic, then the plastic into the protective cover, then the cover into the machine. Slides through, done! Thirty seconds tops. Even a fool couldn't mess it up."
Perspectives varied. "He forgot to turn off the machine," said the clerk.
Despite the $4 per page cost, the man indicated near-term plans to laminate the association's by-laws, tax returns, and water bill.
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