It's not often that you get a personal glimpse at how you are doing at parenting a 13 year-old boy. There are so many facets of his life that you hope you can influence for the better. You try your best. I had one such glimpse today and I have to say my heart beamed with pride!
We were pulling into our local supermarket parking lot and just as we got into our parking space, on the radio Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven began. My son insisted we stay in the car until that song was over.
"For the whole 16 minutes dad."
Well, he's getting there.
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Boss Sang About This Didn't He?
Drudge pointed me to this article about a newly invented suicide machine.
"The machine would be lent or rented so that the patients could insert the needles themselves and then push the button releasing the potassium chloride, used to execute Death Row prisoners in some US states. "
I can imagine the marketing of this machine rental will include, of course, automatic and free pick-up of the machine.
"No need to call. In fact, you won't be able to. Just dial in the place, date and time of your demise, and we'll take it from there! (Pre-payment required)."
"The machine would be lent or rented so that the patients could insert the needles themselves and then push the button releasing the potassium chloride, used to execute Death Row prisoners in some US states. "
I can imagine the marketing of this machine rental will include, of course, automatic and free pick-up of the machine.
"No need to call. In fact, you won't be able to. Just dial in the place, date and time of your demise, and we'll take it from there! (Pre-payment required)."
Shrinking Someone's Head Over OHbama!
Self talk about why someone wants to believe in him ... but just can't.
But there's also a kind of pandering in what Obama is doing. A few years ago, a pair of political scientists, John R. Hibbing and Elizabeth Theiss-Morse, looked at evidence from surveys and focus groups and drew some fairly startling conclusions. Most Americans, they found, think there are easy, straightforward solutions out there that everyone would agree on if only biased special interests and self-serving politicians would get out of the way. They want to be governed by ENSIDs: empathetic non-self-interested decision makers.
This is pure fantasy, of course. But indulging it is Obama's stock-in-trade.
But there's also a kind of pandering in what Obama is doing. A few years ago, a pair of political scientists, John R. Hibbing and Elizabeth Theiss-Morse, looked at evidence from surveys and focus groups and drew some fairly startling conclusions. Most Americans, they found, think there are easy, straightforward solutions out there that everyone would agree on if only biased special interests and self-serving politicians would get out of the way. They want to be governed by ENSIDs: empathetic non-self-interested decision makers.
This is pure fantasy, of course. But indulging it is Obama's stock-in-trade.
I Can't Wait For His Book - If He Gets That Far
Magdi Cristiano Allam. This is the intellectual Muslim convert to Catholicism baptized by the Pope this Easter. This short article speaks about its potential importance to the future of Europe. This man has had a bounty on his head from the Islamists merely for advocating moderation while he was Muslim. They must be even more outraged at his apostasy now. You may be looking at a future Christian martyr here. Sadly.
HT: Vox Day speaking of the current pope: "I suspect that this is not a man who thinks in terms of years, or even decades, but centuries."
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Ile Aye - Caetano Veloso
David Byrne of Talking Heads fame put a compilation of songs together in 1989 called Brazil Classics Vol. 1 representing "but a small sample of the fruits of a flowering in Brazilian creativity."
I immediately "took" to this song back then, almost irresistibly. Probably because of the sweet child's voice saying "Ile Aye" throughout. The background harmonies are wonderful too!
Amidst all the "Ile Ayes" these are the lyrics:
You are so beautiful to see
What beautiful beauty to behold!
Your beauty is transformed into you
What a happy way to live
MP3 File
I immediately "took" to this song back then, almost irresistibly. Probably because of the sweet child's voice saying "Ile Aye" throughout. The background harmonies are wonderful too!
Amidst all the "Ile Ayes" these are the lyrics:
You are so beautiful to see
What beautiful beauty to behold!
Your beauty is transformed into you
What a happy way to live
MP3 File
Doobie Brothers - I Can Read Your Mind
From their 1989 "comeback" album, Cycles. Hailing from my hometown of San Jose, California, the Doobies have always been near and dear to me. After One Step Closer in the early 80's, they broke up and reunited for this album, sans Michael McDonald who took them in another direction while he was in the band. Not a bad direction, in my way of thinking, but way different from how they started.
The band's reunion and Cycles returned them to their unique rock roots.
But this song reveals that the band had not completely abandoned the funky pop bounce of McDonald's influence. I like it a lot.
MP3 File
Update: Does anyone else scratch their heads and blink twice when a "comeback" album is damn near 20 years old?
The band's reunion and Cycles returned them to their unique rock roots.
But this song reveals that the band had not completely abandoned the funky pop bounce of McDonald's influence. I like it a lot.
MP3 File
Update: Does anyone else scratch their heads and blink twice when a "comeback" album is damn near 20 years old?
The Six Word Memoir
Rowan at Fortify Your Oasis challenged his readers to do this because he was challenged by Grannymar who was challenged by Alice. My feeble attempt to comply with such a challenge:CAN'T
REMEMBER
SHIT
AT
MY
AGE
(aka "CRS Disease"!)
Update - My CRS made me fail to put the rules in this post previously:
The rules:
Write your own six word memoir.
Post it on your blog, including an illustration if you’d like.
Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to the original post if possible so that it can be tracked as it travels across the blogosphere.
Tag at least five more blogs with links.
Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
Write your own six word memoir.
Post it on your blog, including an illustration if you’d like.
Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to the original post if possible so that it can be tracked as it travels across the blogosphere.
Tag at least five more blogs with links.
Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
The Acknowledgement Imperative
A Leadership Lesson:
"I See You"
Among the tribes of Northern Natal in South Africa, the most common greeting, equivalent to "hello" in English, is the expression: Sawu bona. It literally means, "I see you." If you are a member of the tribe, you might reply by saying Sikhona, "I am here." The order to the exchange is important: until you see me, I do not exist. It’s as if, when you see me, you bring me into existence.
This meaning, implicit in the language, is part of the spirit of ubuntu, a frame of mind prevalent among native people in Africa below the Sahara. The word ubuntu stems from the folk saying Umuntu ngumuntu nagabantu, which, from Zulu, literally translates as: "A person is a person because of other people." If you grow up with this perspective, your identity is based upon the fact that you are seen - that people around you acknowledge you as a person.
During the last few years in South Africa, many corporations have begun to employ managers who were raised in tribal regions. The ubuntu ethic often clashes subtly with the culture of those corporations. In an office, for instance, it’s perfectly normal to pass someone in the hall, while preoccupied, and not greet him. This would be worse than a sign of disrespect under the ubuntu ethic; it would imply that you felt that person did not exist. Not long ago, an internal consultant who had been raised in a rural village became visibly upset after a meeting where nothing much had seemed to happen. When a project where he had played a key part came up for discussion, his role was not mentioned or acknowledged. Asked later why it bothered him so much, he said, "You don’t understand. When they spoke about the project, they did not say my name. They did not make me a person."
We (should) aspire to the mutual respect and openness that is embedded in the spirit of ubuntu. You could argue that we invoke each other’s potential by our willingness to see the essence of each other. We see you. We are glad that you are here.
From the Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, by Peter Senge, et al. (1994)______________________________________________________
Have you ever had an encounter with another person that made you question your existence or your value as a person? I did. Years ago at a former employer I found myself at a staff member’s office birthday party. You know how they are. You can’t have too much fun, because everyone’s got work to do and you’ve got to get back to it. Often times these people are not even your friends but you are merely acquainted. This party happened to be in the executive suite, so factor that in too.
I happened to ask a simple, friendly, benign, small-talk question to a very senior leader that was also at the party. My boss's boss. I’m sure he heard me. There is no way he couldn't have. His response: He completely ignored me. He did not answer, did not acknowledge my question. He simply turned away from me, completely dismissive. Up to that point in my life I had never experienced such utter disrespect from anyone. Nor have I since. It affected me so, I guess that’s why I bring it up. That experience still stings. I’ve wondered if there is a place or a book where this executive learned this? Was it some sort of "power technique" to ensure that I knew my place in relation to him? This person also did not acknowledge my mother’s death to me after I had been away for a week or so to be with her and my family. He knew. There is no way he didn’t.
I guess I can only hope he’s changed, for his own good.
And for those around him now.
Make it a habit to acknowledge others. See them. Let them know that you know they are there.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Gen Y Business Attire
A "Hoodie" With A Tie!Staff-up the dress code modification committee!
HT: Trendhunter
Pix
From a trip early this year. My first apartment, In Mission Delores, St. Ignatius Church (USF), The Great Seal taken from a moving bus. All in San Francisco, some old stomping grounds. Thursday, March 27, 2008
Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape - featuring Akon
Indulge me. (Forgive me?)
Perfect pop to me! I just like it.
From her 2006 album of the same name.
MP3 File
Perfect pop to me! I just like it.
From her 2006 album of the same name.
MP3 File
Hitchen's Chose Obama
There is a lot one could say about Christopher Hitchens, being inarticulate is not one of them:
HH: So who do you want? The demagogue-dependent Obama or the grandiose and overstating Hillary Clinton?
CH: Well, actually, it’s not as hard as it sounds, because one of them is capable, as I would say he showed in his speech, I mean, contemptible though I thought most of it was, of growth and development and maturity, and so forth, and even some modesty. And that is Senator Obama, obviously. It was the one I was talking about there. And the other is not, is a hardened, calcified, cynical liar, whose acquired bad habits are impossible to think of her ever breaking, without which, in fact, we wouldn’t be talking about her. She wouldn’t exist.
Good Interview.
HH: So who do you want? The demagogue-dependent Obama or the grandiose and overstating Hillary Clinton?
CH: Well, actually, it’s not as hard as it sounds, because one of them is capable, as I would say he showed in his speech, I mean, contemptible though I thought most of it was, of growth and development and maturity, and so forth, and even some modesty. And that is Senator Obama, obviously. It was the one I was talking about there. And the other is not, is a hardened, calcified, cynical liar, whose acquired bad habits are impossible to think of her ever breaking, without which, in fact, we wouldn’t be talking about her. She wouldn’t exist.
Good Interview.
An Idea Whose Time Has Come
I would absolutely love one. Think of the power I would hold in my little hand.
Next on my list, or rather first, would be a cell phone interference device. Jam the signals of rude cell phone users who simply must talk about nothing while annoying everyone, or at a minimum, me.
How about a little seed money for my idea?
They're probably out there. Just not at Wal-Mart yet.
HT: The Pre-Surfer, He Surfs So You Don't Have To
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Just Do It - You'll Be Sorry If You Don't
Everybody has 18 or so minutes to spare don't we?
HT: Dan Pink and Reality Carnival
Crooks and Liars
The left wing website/blog "Crooks and Liars" have somehow missed covering the Hillary Clinton Bosnia Whopper of the last few days. No kidding. They just may need to change their name to "Crooks and Liars on the Right Only."
I've written them to confirm this. Just in case I missed it. You can check too.
Update: Their response to my comment/question, asked in a post of their's about Chelsea Clinton's supposed "Smack Down" a questioner with a Lewinsky related question.
"[Deleted. Off topic. Feel free to put your question in an email-Sitemonitor]" So I did.
I've written them to confirm this. Just in case I missed it. You can check too.
Update: Their response to my comment/question, asked in a post of their's about Chelsea Clinton's supposed "Smack Down" a questioner with a Lewinsky related question.
"[Deleted. Off topic. Feel free to put your question in an email-Sitemonitor]" So I did.
"We Share Everything"
The person who dreamed this up simply must be found and interviewed about their great idea. A regular Edison they are.
HT: Truemors
A picture like this is begging for a caption contest. Any takers?
Note New Label: You Can't Control Stupidity
Steve Kindler - Caught Up In The Rapture
Most people know (and love) Anita Baker's version of this song from her wildly popular Rapture album in 1986.
A great friend Michael B. turned me on to Steve Kindler later and he had this cover of the song on his 1990 Across the Rainbow Sea album.
Tell me it's not sweetly lovely. Go on, I dare ya!
MP3 File
A great friend Michael B. turned me on to Steve Kindler later and he had this cover of the song on his 1990 Across the Rainbow Sea album.
Tell me it's not sweetly lovely. Go on, I dare ya!
MP3 File
Just For Today
Michael Wade, the sage of Execupudit, shares a short obit of a remarkable life. In turn, that inspired me to share this:
Just For Today
JUST FOR TODAY I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.
Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.
Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do - just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.
Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.
Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.
Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective on my life.
Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.
This is a tried and true manifesto for members of Al-Anon that they hold dear. Non-members are welcome to it also, I'm certain!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Do It Yourselfers - BEWARE OF THIS SCAM!
Recieved this by e-mail today, putting out the warning.
Watch out for this scam!!
For those of us men who may be regular Home Depot customers. Ladies, you may want to forward this on to men you know. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works.
Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot or Lowe's. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen November 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th & 24th. Also December 1st, 4th, twice on the 6th, three times just yesterday, and very likely this coming weekend. So tell your friends to be looking out for this scam.
Watch out for this scam!!
For those of us men who may be regular Home Depot customers. Ladies, you may want to forward this on to men you know. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works.
Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot or Lowe's. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen November 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th & 24th. Also December 1st, 4th, twice on the 6th, three times just yesterday, and very likely this coming weekend. So tell your friends to be looking out for this scam.
The Campaign For Love And Forgiveness
(Temple of Forgiveness, Burning Man, 2007)
Here
Update: More About the Temple of Forgiveness here. (Hey maybe Grow a Brain is reading this? Nah!!!)
The End of Britain?
Wonder if the Queen will acquiesce on this? Does the monarchy have a chance in the medium term under the Treaty of Lisbon?
Appears to be no small thing. The populace appears to be, if not at the mall, maybe Harrods?
Larry Graham - One In A Million You
From 1980. Wonderful love song. His video version, I've heard, was one of the very first "music videos" ever played on MTV.
You can watch it here if you'd like.
MP3 File
You can watch it here if you'd like.
MP3 File
Hillary's Military Credentials
She should get a medal for "Fast and Loose With The Truth." A mere "misspeaking" of course.
Then again, the lying could be attributed to post-traumatic stress after her combat experience.
This is fun reading. Talk about "stop at nothing." I must be fair though, these are very high stakes and they are ALL like this.
HT: Repackaged from Althouse
Update: If there is a video that needs to go "viral" this would be it. HT: Maggie's Farm
The Money Shot
"The consequence, which you can already feel, is an inchoate resentment among many white voters who are damned if they will be called bigots by a man who associates with Jeremiah Wright. So here we go with all that again. And this is the fresh, clean, new post-racial politics?"
Monday, March 24, 2008
Which Way Do I Go?
Asshole. Published next month. What will be the market for a book like this. Who will buy it, and why? I hope to see it in the bargin bin by May!
In his book, Kihn devises a “10-step programme to assholism” for anyone wanting to acquaint themselves with their darker side. He himself signed up to the National Rifle Association, started kickboxing, screamed at colleagues and ate garlic bagels on public transport. (…)
Kihn’s recommendations are a little more brutal. Show no interest in others, he advises. In the workplace, take credit for everything except mistakes, and conduct all conversations on speakerphone.
Kihn’s recommendations are a little more brutal. Show no interest in others, he advises. In the workplace, take credit for everything except mistakes, and conduct all conversations on speakerphone.
This is an easy choice for me. Asshole are assholes and I don't like them. I think they are going into hiding more and more these day, thankfully. But obviously some can get rich and powerful by being that way.
It's tough for the average nice non-asshole person to stand up to them though I think. How many people in John Spitzer's inner circle ever took him aside and gave him some friendly advice about cooling it down a little?
For Patients
People should know about this.
PatientsLikeMe
Article from the formerly great NYT, about it.
HT: Fred
PatientsLikeMe
Article from the formerly great NYT, about it.
HT: Fred