Leaning Toward Wisdom

I've Pushed The "STOP" Button On Blogger

2007-03-30T14:25:00.002-05:00

No Comment

2007-03-23T13:07:00.000-05:00

For quite some time I have had the comments turned off because back in the pre-Google days of Blogger I got spammed. Nobody ever reads this blog anyway - do they? It didn't seem to be a difficult decision at the time. Frankly, I never thought much about it until today when I read Chris Garrett's blog.

So, the comments are back on.

Oprah, The Secret & The Fleecing Of Naive Wannabe Millionaires

2007-03-08T07:31:00.000-06:00

On Monday Peter Birkenhead posted a story about Oprah's advocacy of "The Secret." I confess that I purchased a copy of the DVD before it was released - and my order was filled as soon as the release date hit. Why did I buy it? Marketing. I was curious what these guys were up to - and how they had created such a stir.

It's slick, polished and well produced. It's garbage, but it's well done. Humanism. Fantasy. Dream it and it will come true dribble. As a Christian, I disagree with the sentiment that each of us are our own god - capable of doing anything we want if our desire is strong enough. It's simply isn't true. We're mortals. We lack the full control these people preach.

I know few people, if any, who do not fantasize about having a better life. I know sick people who fantasize about a healthier state. I know less fortunate people who fantasize about having more wealth. I know childless couples who fantasize about having a child. Fantasizing won't alter any of those conditions.

There is a difference in fantasizing about having something and doing something to see if it can be accomplished. For years I dreamed of being more fit, but I never went to the gym until last summer. Since then I've gone daily and now my fitness is better than it's been in the last 25 years. Dreaming and visualizing that didn't make it happen. Sweating every day in a gym while watching what I eat did.

Want to get rich? Dream on. Or, go to work finding out ways you can make more money. Dreamers buy DVD's of "The Secret." Doers are busy getting closer to their goals. The only secret about "The Secret" is that it's a brilliant marketing ploy fleecing many people.

Note:
On February 25th, Allen Salkin wrote a nice piece in the New York Times entitled, "Shaking Riches Out of the Cosmos."

The Picture of Health

2007-02-23T21:12:00.000-06:00

Poor Abe. He looks like I feel.

This is a man who saw the Civil War up close and personal. What a toll that must have taken!

I'm intrigued with this photograph. Lincoln had a tough life. It shows. Here's the black and white version of the same photo. An artist added the color.

These were taken in 1865. Below is a photo taken just two years earlier, 1863.

As you can tell, Abe never could keep that tie straight. But notice how 2 years of Civil War has aged him. Lincoln was murdered in 1865. He was 56. He had just been re-elected as President. He delivered his second inaugural speech on March 4, 1865. It was his favorite speech.

"Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether." With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

On April 9, 1865 the war ended when Confederate General Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. By April 15th - Lincoln was dead, shot by an assassin the day before while attending a play without his main bodyguard present.

My how politicians have changed! In the early years of our country - some of society's best minds were our country's leaders. No more. And we're not better for it.

He was never the picture of health. Whatever fragility plagued him physically was made small due to his incredible mental strength. I think it's time to read some biographies on a man of conviction, courage and stamina.

We're All Just One Event Away

2007-02-21T07:29:00.000-06:00

Marriage changes everything. A wedding - no matter if it's simple or elaborate - is a life altering event. Our lives move from being alone to being in the closest partnership known to mankind.

The birth of a child changes everything. Husbands become fathers. Wives become mothers. Together they become parents. Their lives are forever altered.

Good things - pleasant events - often change our lives. All it takes is one event and the course of our life is changed.

Unfortunately, bad things sometimes happen. A job is lost. An illness is diagnosed. An accident occurs. Death pays a visit. Lives change. Sometimes never to be the same.

Should we live in terror that at any moment a phone could ring with news that would change us forever? Hardly. That's no way to enjoy whatever life lay ahead.

Should we live mindful that life can change - and quickly? Sure. Why not? Why not live knowing that the health we may now enjoy could soon be gone? Why not live knowing that those we love most could soon be gone from our presence? I see no downside in approaching life with the zeal or zest to make the most of today.

I've seen and heard many people talk about how their lives are altered by some catastrophe - perhaps an open heart surgery, a heart attack or some other challenge that they survived. Afterwards, they see life differently. They approach life differently. I'm sure that's not true of all of them. I do know out of shape people who suffered heart attacks - and they continue to eat what they want and live without discipline or concern. Sad. But I also know some who are never the same. You see them work hard to never take a day for granted. They now see something they never saw before. Namely, the possibility that in a flash - in one moment or event - it can all change, or be gone!

I'd like to have that fresh approach to life without suffering the disaster often necessary to bring it about. I'd like to live today with a view of importance - making the most of my life today! How?

I'm fairly gifted at asking questions. The answers don't come so easily.

Life happens. Habits take over. We carve out ruts in our lives - where we're most comfortable. Day after day we do the same, or similar, things. We eat the same things, go the same places and do the same things. I realize we can't make every single moment or every single day be completely unique. I know that's hardly possible. It's certainly isn't practical.

But can't we approach our lives in a meaningful way so we make better use of our time, and our opportunities to affect others? Surely.

God is the priority for many of us. That's as it should be. Without getting into a theological debate on what serving God is all about - suffice to say, if you believe in God and believe service to the Creator supersedes all other pursuits - then you're surely living a life that is consistent with whatever faith you hold. If you're devout, then your faith touches all other areas of your life. A life that views the prospect of heaven and hell is bound to be a different life than one that views this life as the end all, be all.

Family is certainly a priority for most of us. We have husbands or wives that we cherish (hopefully). We have sons and daughters. We have son-in-laws or daughter-in-laws. We have grandchildren. We have parents. We have grandparents. There are people in our lives who matter to us more than other people. They're closer to us. We're closer to them.

Careers matter. We want to accomplish something. We want to earn what we're worth. We want a quality of life made possible by doing the best we can where we work. It affects our life and the lives of those we love. So, we want to do the best we can by earning as much as we can - and doing meaningful work.

Recreation and entertainment matter. Often, these focus more on who we're with than in what we're doing, but sometimes we simply like to do certain things. It's rare to find somebody who so enjoys an activity that he doesn't care who he does it with though.

Our lives are complex. And complicated. It's hard to bore it down into simple terms where we can live in simple, easy ways. Life is easier than it once was - in many ways. Many years ago men had to worry mostly about finding food to eat and shelter to protect them. Not a terribly complicated life, but a really hard life. Food, clothing and shelter aren't much of a challenge of most of us. We've got those things - often nice things. Really nice.

One event changes it though. One circumstance can alter it all. Imagine the things that could happen to you right now that would forever change your life. Imagine the good things. And the bad ones. Meditate on it for awhile.

Now, ask yourself, "How should I approach life now - now that I know these things could happen?" Are there things you should do that will help propel you forward, toward those good things? Then why are you waiting? Are there things you should do that might help you avoid those bad things? Then why are you waiting? Get busy with it. Today.

Make the phone call.
Have the conversation.
Hug them. Kiss them. Tell them you love them.
Forgive them. Ask them to forgive you.
Spruce up the resume. Look for the better job.
Go to the gym. Get fit.
Eat better. Eat right.

Whatever is necessary to make today your best day possible - do it. Do it as though today may be your only chance. Because you never know.

Can NASCAR Teach The NHL Anything?

2007-02-19T07:27:00.000-06:00

Kevin Harvick's number 29 Chevrolet moves past the number 01 Chevrolet of Mark Martin to take the checkered flag, winning the 49th Daytona 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup series race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (REUTERS/Pierre Ducharme)

NASCAR is by far the best sport on television - and I'm not a NASCAR fan, really. But I watch it. The high-definition picture coupled with 90 cameras, countless reporters updating you on the action, cool graphics helped by GPS technology and participants who are always promoting the sport - it's far and away TOPS in sports television.

I wish my favorite sport of hockey would take some lessons from NASCAR. No, I don't expect or need 90 cameras. I do need high-definition. I do need a major network, or at least a more accessible network. Not VERSUS, a channel too few have. I need great announcers like Razor who make the game understandable to those who don't understand it (somebody who can sell the sport) and exciting to those of us who already love it. I need light blue ice because it will look better on TV. I need in game interaction - mic up players (Marty Turco's banter with the announcers during the All-Star Game was excellent) and coaches (yes, use the 7 second delay). I need more physical play. I need more hitting. I need more fighting so players are able to stand up for their teammates. I need goalies to have smaller pads. No, I don't need bigger goals. I need to see Sidney Crosby come to Dallas every season - along with other young, upcoming stars of the league. Fix the schedule. Fix it next season. I need a forward thinking hockey guy as the commissioner. Bettman needs to be gone after this season. A contract renewal for him will be death for the league. Gretzky is ready for that job anyway. The league needs a strong commissioner who will lead the league.

As a fan, I need so much it's almost impossible to consider hockey ever getting what the sport truly deserves. What I'd love to see is a consultation with NASCAR by NHL brass to ask them one simple question: "If you owned our sport instead of yours - what would you do?" Then listen and learn.

Go back to New York and find ways to implement immediate changes that will make the greatest game on earth grow. No, I'm not looking for NASCAR type popularity or growth. I realize everybody can drive a car and fantasize about driving fast in a race. Not everybody can ice skate or relate to playing hockey. I know there are countless dramatic differences between the two sports. My point is that stock car racing found a way to promote the sport, sell the sport and make the sport one of the greatest events each week of their season. Why can't hockey find a way to do a better job of selling the game? Why can't professional hockey learn a thing or two from NASCAR?

They can. They should. They have to do something. If they don't, the sport will never grow. They are no longer in the top 4 of major sports - were they ever? Bowling, golf, soccer are all much more popular. Bowling? Are you kidding me? The NHL can't find a way to get better ratings than bowling? Boys, it's time to fire up your Zambonis and head to Daytona Beach where the NASCAR is headquartered! NASCAR could teach the NHL plenty. The real question is, could the NHL learn anything from them?

High-Stakes Cheating & Low Expectations

2007-02-15T06:56:00.000-06:00

Michael Waltrip and a handful of other drivers are suffering the wrath of NASCAR's head of competition. Unlike other sports that culminate in their biggest game of the season, NASCAR begins with their biggest - the Daytona 500. So the pressure to perform is intense, right out of the gate.

NASCAR inspects each car carefully. Teams know that. You'd think they'd exercise more care, or ingenuity.
Last season Jimmie Johnson won over $7.7 million. The teams earn many millions of dollars from sponsorships. The stakes are very high for teams to qualify for each race, complete as many laps as possible, make a top ten finish, make a top three finish or win outright. Points mean dollars. Dollars come from winning. Fans buy merchandise. Sponsors dole out millions for advertising exposure. Cheating isn't surprising.

Catching it is what surprises me. NASCAR is famous for having templates that cars must fit. Specifications are precise. Angles, weights, dimensions, materials - they're all crucial. And NASCAR has figured out a way to police all this - with some certainty of success.

I'm impressed.

I'm not a rabid fan of NASCAR. I do enjoy those behind the scenes type shows about it though. I'm fascinated by the engineering, although I admit I'm much fonder of Formula 1 where real technology rules.

However, I appreciate racing and the skills required to build, tune and drive - whether it's NASCAR, Indy car or any other type of racing. Cheating exists everywhere I suppose. In every sport, racing or otherwise. As the stakes go up, cheating goes up.

NASCAR's roots date back to the days of outlaw bootleggers. And we're shocked at the low ethics of some teams? P-L-E-A-S-E. Baseball players are juicing. Bike racers are doping. Track and field athletes are, too. Football players are steroid-enhanced. And just this past week I saw a mixed martial arts bout that ended in disqualification when a fighter put a knee to the head of his opponent while they were on the ground - a violation of the rules. After he did it twice, the bout was stopped. The injured fighter was given 5 minutes to see if he could continue - another rule. When it was clear he couldn't continue, the bout was ended. The injured fighter won by way of disqualification. The offending fighter said, "I thought this was a fight." His implication was that no rules should apply, yet the opposing fighter's manager appropriately responded by pointing out that if fights we're going to include eye-gouging and other "illegal" tactics, then all the combatants should agree on that before each fight. All participants had agreed to fight by the rules - so he felt his fighter should win the fight (and he was correct). Rules are such a drag.

Cheating, lying, deception - they're just tricks of the trade, aren't they? I mean, how can you ever win if you don't cheat. Sports talk shows lament that every top college program cheats - in every major sport. True? I don't know. My beloved Sooners football program is still stinging from the Bomar scandal of last year - a car dealer paid him for work he didn't perform. On and on and on it goes.

It's like Watergate - follow the money! Where you find money, you'll likely find cheating. And sometimes you find cheating even when there is no money. Sometimes winning is enough motivation for people to cheat. After all, cheating - if you've figured out something that works and can go undetected - can be easier than working hard to prepare to win, especially when you may lack the skills of your competition.

We don't value honorable competition. We value winning.
We don't highly prize hard work. We value the top dog.
We don't value preparation. We value the person who can mount the top of the award podium.

I work out daily. Occasionally I work with a trainer employed at the gym. He admits that probably 75% of the guys - those who are really ripped - are taking steroids. While they're not competing - they are cheating. They're cheating their health. For what? Vanity. Ego. Nothing more. But those are obviously high enough stakes.

I go to work like every other responsible person. Each day I endure lying. Somebody lies to me every single day. Every single day I discover they lie. They cheat. For what? Sometimes there is a money motive, but most of the time it's pride. Ego. Vanity. Again, the stakes are evidently high enough.

Stakes are always high, if only in the mind of the cheater. Cheating is rampant. And it's growing more creative. Kudos to NASCAR for finding ways to think ahead and catch the cheaters. It probably is the only course to pursue. Legislating ethics is impossible. Holding people accountable, while more difficult, is the best means for dealing with cheaters.

Did Michael Waltrip know his team was cheating? I don't know. I don't care. He's the fat cat at the top and he deserves to answer for it. I don't care who wins the Daytona 500. I don't have a dog in that fight or a horse (car) in that race. I just don't care. I do care that daily our world is growing more acclimated to cheating of all forms. I do care that daily we're subjected to passing the buck (see Michael Waltrip's response). I do care that people refuse to do the right thing if there are any costs associated. I do care that principles mean nothing and self-interests are always being served - no matter what. The good news is that it's all quite predictable. Therefore, it ought to be easier to combat, or cope with.

So I go to work expecting people to lie to me. I talk with people knowing some, perhaps many, are trying to deceive me. I'm not jaded, or cynical (no more than is proper for somebody trying to cope with the real world). I'm realistic. And I'm no longer disappointed (very often) because my expectations are so low...especially when I know the stakes are high. Lying and cheating become more extreme as the stakes go higher. And vanity, ego and pride are high stakes.

Michael Waltrip: The Face of Guilt, Regret or
Anger That His Guys Were Stupid Enough To Get Caught?

UPDATE: Around noon today (2/15/07) Waltrip fell on the sword a bit harder and issued another apology. Seems he had to be talked into racing today by his wife and Toyota officials (a qualifying race took place today and Waltrip earned a spot in the Daytona 500). What do you bet Toyota ripped him a new one and threatened to abandon him? Guess sponsors should all have morality clauses clearly stating they can escape contractual obligations if the team is caught cheating. I could be wrong though. Read more about his apology here.

How To Change History

2007-02-14T07:58:00.000-06:00

The Chicago Bears lost the Super Bowl. They'd love a "do-over." Peyton Manning's Colts don't need one. They like the history they created. The Bears can't do anything about altering the outcome of that game. It's in the books. Some history can't be changed.

There is history that can be changed though. Maybe reputation or perception is a better term than history. A person can alter the historic perception others have of them.

I've noticed a number of instances where people develop a perception based on age - and that perception or history is hard to change, even as the person grows older. A young man is hired to work for a company. He's a high school student. He has the typical flunky jobs that most high-schoolers get. He graduates and enters college. He keeps working in the company. The jobs are slightly improved, but he's not in the executive suite. He's a freshman, a sophomore and a junior. In his senior year he's now working in the office, but he's still quite a distance from the corner office. He has risen to better jobs, but many people still perceive him as the high-schooler he once was. They view him as the kid who arrived at work with the stereo blaring. Now that he's approaching college graduation they may find it almost impossible to view him differently. Can he do anything to alter that perception - that history?

We've all got history. We've all got reputations. We're all perceived in various ways. Are we forever stuck with the perception people have of us - even if they've got it all wrong?

George Bush is not the most popular guy around these days. Wars do that to perception. Will the American public always view him in the current light? Maybe. Maybe not. President Nixon left the office in a most disgraceful way. Nobody would have predicted that he'd become an influential best selling author. Nixon become a bit of a statesman. Go figure. He may be among the best examples of changing one's history. Kudos to him for finding a way out of the maze of shame. George Bush might find a similar highway. He might not.

As usual I have more questions than answers, but I know this much. We can change history if we work at it - and have patience. Nixon wasn't viewed differently over night. Slowly, he began to alter how people viewed him. Slowly, people began to listen to him. Slowly, people began to respect his opinions and views. He kept on writing. He kept on speaking. He didn't try to force it. He wasn't full of self-promotion. The public was in complete control of their perception. Had he attempted to thrust himself forward - history wouldn't have changed for him (to the extent that it did).

No, Nixon will never be remembered as favorably as he may have liked. He messed up. He was wrong. But, he certainly seemed to make the most of it after the fact. Personally, I think he was a wretched man with poor ethical standards. But I tip my hat to his efforts to recover what was left of his legacy - and name.

That high -schooler in the workplace isn't relegated to always being the 16-year-old everybody remembers. By his work he can change history. Should he continue to behave as the 16-year-old he once was - he's stuck. In the minds of his co-workers he'll remain the high school kid - even though he's now approaching college graduation.

More public figures have a tougher go of it. Nixon. Bush. Pro athletes like Terrell Owens. Living in Dallas T.O. is almost always in the news. I wonder if he'd like to alter his history. It would appear to be a very low, or non-existent priority. I conclude that because his behavior remains the same. He's still driving to work with the stereo blaring, but he wants us to think of him as something other than the high-schooler he seems to be. He can change history, but only when he changes how he acts. Sure, it would take time. But if Nixon could do it, anybody can!

I Can Hear You, But I Don't Have A Clue What You're Saying

2007-02-13T07:08:00.000-06:00

Hearing isn't the same as understanding. And it doesn't matter if communication is written or verbal. Seeing the words, or hearing the words, isn't the same as understanding them.

Sometimes simple things get in the way or our understanding.

We don't understand the words. We don't know their meaning. The communicator is using terms not familiar to us. Dictionaries help. What helps more is for the speaker or writer to use words familiar to the audience.

We literally didn't hear the words, or couldn't read them. Last week I got four voice mails from an unknown number. I had no idea who called. Four voice mails failed to help because the person's voice was cutting in and out so badly you couldn't make out anything he was saying. Turns out, the person was using a Bluetooth device that wasn't working well. I couldn't hear the words, so I had no understanding.

Sometimes more difficult things get the way of our understanding. That is, the problem isn't so easily solved.

Frequently, I find myself struggling to understand somebody because they simply lack the ability to convey a clear thought. I've read written communication - repeatedly - and come to a conclusion about what is being said...only to be told that I got it all wrong. So, back I go to reread it again. And again. And I still think I had it right the first time. No. Not so. What I thought the author meant isn't what he meant at all.

Is the fault with the conveyor or the message or the recipient? Pardon me for blaming the conveyor. When people listen or read your message - and hear it or read it repeatedly before concluding the meaning --- and the meaning isn't what the conveyor wanted --- that person needs to work on their ability to convey a clear idea. Sadly, that applies to many people. And it applies to all of us from time t0 time.

Getting in the face of the recipient may not make it clearer. Rarely does it. Of course, in baseball, it proves how worked up a manager or umpire may be over a disputed call.

Getting louder doesn't work, unless of course the person failed to hear the words. It's a bit like shouting English at a person who only understands Spanish.

Going slower doesn't necessarily work. That's like speaking English very slowly to a person who only understands Spanish.

I'm convinced that some communication problems are the result of unclear thinking. Words are first formed in our head. If those words are poorly formed there - then there's little hope they'll be clearer when they leave our tongue, or our pen (or computer).

What's the problem? I have no idea really. I only find it fascinating, if not frustrating, that some people argue about what they meant when you can go back and read what they wrote, time and again, and conclude the same thing each time. They simply were unable to express their meaning, but they can tell you that you've got it all wrong.

A light bulb moment occurred when I thought, "Why don't you just say what you mean to begin with?"

For example, a person takes a position on a subject. It could be political or anything else. Pick something. Let's say a person is pro-abortion. They put forth their arguments. You conclude they're pro-abortion. You respond. Let's say you're anti-abortion. Then they wonder why you think they're pro-abortion by telling you they are not. Well, why didn't they just say that the first time? Instead they seemingly argued using all the pro-abortion arguments. That big question mark over your head signifies how confused you are. We've all had that experience.

I recently had it and finally decided I just had to tell the person that I was going to step away because I clearly lacked the ability to properly understand him. It was frustrating communication for both of us. All the more reason to just stop communicating - or whatever the exercise of futility is called. It was NOT communication. It was merely talking or typing without any purpose. My what fun that is.

Is it PC (political correctness) that is killing clear communication?
Is it our inability to understand?
Is it our inability to convey?
If so, why?

I don't know the answers really. I know whenever my communication fails it is entirely my fault. I take full responsibility for a lack of understanding on the part if the recipient. How can it be otherwise? I'm the one trying to convey the idea. If I can't clearly to do that, I have to improve.

If I'm speaking to a person who only understands Spanish I have to find someone who can help me communicate. I can't shout at the person, "Learn English." Well, I can, but it won't help things. I need an interpreter who understands both English and Spanish and somebody who can speak both languages. That will fix my problem.

If I'm writing something and people get the meaning all wrong - I can get all worked up and blame them for "misinterpreting" my meaning, but the fact is --- I need to be more clear. I need to restate my communication. Too many writers don't carefully read, and edit their words. They write and hear words in their head, but sadly those aren't always the words that make it the page or screen. They hear one thing. They write or say something different.

Speed may be partly to blame. We text message. We leave voice mails. We bang out emails. We communicate at a higher rate of speed than ever before. Perhaps that results in some half-cocked communication that isn't clearly thought out, not proof read and unedited. That is the case with me. I've carefully looked at my own failures and 100% of the time they result from too much speed, not enough thought.

Sometimes, it's okay. A quick response can be simple and easily understood. After all, "yes" is yes and "no" is no. But when lengthier explanations are required, I probably should slow down a bit and make sure the thought I want to convey is being conveyed. This week I'm hoping to make my own improvements so the recipients can save time by getting my meaning correct the first time. Perhaps by taking more time on the front end I can save all of us time on the back end.

I know I've wasted tons of time trying to figure out what somebody was trying to say. I'm tired of it.

The Last Waltz Toward An Endless Highway

2007-02-10T15:23:00.000-06:00

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group, The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. It was the "farewell" concert after 16 years of touring. The Band was joined by more than a dozen special guests, including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters and Neil Young. They had toured extensively as Bob Dylan's band.

Martin Scorsese directed and filmed the show making it into a documentary released in 1978. The film features concert performances, scenes shot on a studio soundstage and interviews by Scorsese with members of The Band.

Last week a tribute recording was released, Endless Highway. It's been 30 years since the Last Waltz. The Band launched a modern movement toward Americana music. Ironic, since 3 of the 4 members were Canucks. I loved their music as a teenager. I love it now as old guy. Despite the few morons who ripped it on Amazon, I find this tribute sensational. It's nice to hear modern artists perform these songs. Those who rip the new recording make no sense to me - if you want to hear the originals, listen to them. They've been around for decades. It's nice to hear newer artists perform them and hopefully expose more kids to music they might not otherwise give a chance.

I'm a fan of most of the artists on this new record, but admittedly I'm most fond of My Morning Jacket's rendition of "Makes No Difference." My Morning Jacket, a Kentucky band, may find a bit of commercial success now. I've been a fan for awhile, and now maybe others will give them a listen, too. (A relatively new double live CD has been released, Okonokos. Usually, double live CD's mean the band is dead - or dying. I hope that's not the case with these guys.)

Go rent The Last Waltz, or buy it. It's a concert that is older than many of you. The music is great, the performances are classic and now Endless Highway brings it all back for us old fogies to remember.

Hondajet = Sky King

2007-02-09T11:50:00.000-06:00

Hondajet is a forthcoming product (scheduled for 2010) of Honda Aircraft Company based in Greenboro, NC. Today, the company announced a $100 million investment will be made in the new facility. Almost 300 new jobs with an average pay of $70K will be created over the next five years.

The product is an executive jet capable of seating 6 with a top cruising speed of 420 knots and a range of 1180 miles. It will also have a fuel efficiency gain over comparable jets of 30-35%. And you can have one for only $3.65 million. As of last October, well over 100 people had plopped down deposits for one. I'm sure that number is higher now.

If Honda doesn't become king of the world - Toyota will.

Famous For Nudity, Fat, Intoxication and Stupidity

2007-02-09T07:47:00.000-06:00

Vicki Lynn Marshall, better known as Anna Nicole Smith, was a beautiful girl who wanted fame. She found it by posing nude for Playboy Magazine, after a stint as a stripper. It's the ancient story of small town girl who wants the world - and does whatever is necessary to get it. Fame found her. Why? I'm still not sure.

Her life was a public train wreck and people couldn't help but watch. I'm sure millions watched at first, because she was pretty. Later, she was a freak who had lost her beauty behind the weight she gained and drugs she abused. Misbehaving in public seemed to be a way of life for a woman who clearly wasn't terribly bright. Her lack of wisdom and knowledge, coupled with her intoxicated state, made her easy to laugh at - not with.

I was always sad for her. Sad that she wasn't smart enough to make better choices. Sad that she was a lost soul who never found her way toward mature behavior. Whatever emptiness existed in her life was never filled with food, alcohol, drugs, illicit relationships or law suits. Fame and money never filled it.

It's the sad story of a wasted life. A 5 month old little girl, the daughter she leaves behind, will grow up in the shadow of a sad figure, her own mother. What will she make of her life? What influences will exist in her life to prevent her from falling prey to the same toxic lures that captured her mom? Kids seem to follow in the path of parents, or they go in the opposite direction. I hope this child goes 180 degrees away from how Anna Nicole lived - and died.

She was 39. She was in a hotel in Hollywood, Florida. She was intoxicated. The word used to describe her physical condition seemed appropriate, "She was so wasted." Yes. Yes, she was.

Son of Bum: New Dallas Cowboys' Coach?

2007-02-08T07:19:00.000-06:00

Bum Phillips - one time coach of the Houston Oilers from 1975-1980; coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1981 - 1985

Son of Bum, Wade Phillips - head coach of the New Orleans Saints, 1985; Denver Broncos, 1993 - 1994; Buffalo Bills, 1998 - 2000; Atlanta Falcons, 2003; lots of defensive coordinator jobs in the in between years.

Reports are running wild that today the Dallas Cowboys will introduce Son of Bum as the new coach replacing departing coach, Bill Parcells. Say it ain't so.

The town is completely underwhelmed with this news. In a word, "Boring!" Owner Jerry Jones continues to amaze the masses with his unconventional approach to operating a professional football team.

In all fairness though - it should be pointed out that Wade Phillips is highly regarded by most NFL coaches. His reputation among those in the know is quite good. Easy going, approachable, down-to-earth, likable and prepared - those are terms used by NFL people. Charlie Waters, ex- Cowboy safety and current Cowboy broadcaster, claims that Phillips is the "most liked" coach in the NFL. Waters says that Phillips is highly sought after as a coach and that most coaches seek jobs associated with him.

The question is, "Can Wade be a good head coach?" Does he have the organizational skills necessary to be a head coach. Reporters claim he'll be a good quick start coach able to find success fast. They question if he'll be able to sustain good performance over time.

Having a likable coach at Valley Ranch will be a welcomed change from Tuna. All kinds of questions remain though. Questions about T.O.'s return. Will he, or won't he? What about the other coaches? What about Romo? What about the age of the Cowboys' roster? How will they get younger? On and on it goes.

This much I know - Jerry Jones is not a boring owner. He will make efforts to do what it takes to win. It doesn't often work, but still Jerry keeps trying to recapture the lightning he had in the early days with Jimmie Johnson. History is often hard to replicate.

Lisa Nowak, Astronut

2007-02-07T12:12:00.000-06:00

Lisa Nowak, 43, lost her senses. She allegedly attempted to murder a woman she believed was her rival for the affections of fellow astronaut, William Oefelein. Nowak drove 900 miles from Houston to Orlando to confront Colleen Shipman. According to police, Nowak wore diapers so she could reduce stopping during the trip. She wore a wig and a trench coat. Armed with a BB gun, a steel mallet, garbage bags and pepper spray Nowak approached Ms. Shipman's car and sprayed Shipman and her car with pepper spray. Police claim Nowak intended to kill Shipman, even though she only assaulted her with pepper spray. She was charged with attempted first degree murder and released on $25,000 bail.

She's back at NASA today undergoing evaluations. Nobody is saying if part of that process involves psychological evaluation. Duh? You think?

Nowak flew on Discovery in July 2006. She is a decorated Navy pilot. Along with crew mate Stephanie Wilson, Nowak became known as a Robochick because she and Wilson were responsible for operating the robotic arm of Discovery. This is not a stupid person.

Weeks ago Nowak separated from her husband of 19 years. He works in Mission Control. They have 3 children: twin 5 year old girls and a teenage son. Sad.

Nowak's younger sister said she was stressed at the loss of 3 close friends aboard Columbia, the shuttle that exploded in 2003. Her family situation was evidently stressed, too. But who knows what she was thinking, or feeling?

So today the question is officially asked on NBC's TODAY Show - why do successful people snap?

How does a person go from astronaut to astronut? Experts are pointing to two things: desperation and lost perspective.

At some point we're all desperate. And I'm sure most of us experience a loss of perspective at various times of our life. Perhaps, it's a depth of those those things that causes a scientifically trained, mature pilot to consider it logical to don a diaper, drive 900 miles and use pepper spray on another woman because of jealousy. Go figure.

Smart people are capable of doing stupid things. I like to think I'm reasonably smart. I'm no brainiac or anything, but I'm not a moron either. How desperate would I have to be to wear a diaper for 900 miles? Forget the other stuff. Just the willingness to urinate myself (let's not consider #2) while driving about 16 hours is beyond my comprehension.

Well, perhaps in the coming days NASA will reveal some things to help us understand how this can happen. Bright people too often go crazy. Ted Bundy was a serial killer who was quite smart. Craziness doesn't require limited mental capacity.

Today, I'm feeling quite good about my life. My desperation levels are extraordinarily low compared to Ms. Nowak's. My stress isn't nearly as high as hers. And my perspective seems fine, but I'm probably in no shape to judge it properly. For all I know, I'm crazy enough to go buy a box of Depends and hit the highway.

Some Email Funnies Are Actually Funny

2007-02-06T08:09:00.000-06:00

LETTER FROM AN IOWA FARM KID
(now at San Diego Marine Corp training camp)

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

We go on "route marches," which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The country is nice but awful flat The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake . I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6" and 130 pounds and he's 6'8" and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your loving daughter,

Alice

Father-Son Love Is So Special

2007-02-05T12:12:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday night in Malibu, California a closeness was felt between a father and his son. The father, Ryan O'Neal (65), was arrested after firing a gun in self-defense to prevent his son, Griffin (42), from taking his head off with a fireplace poker. Read the AP story as recorded in USA Today here.

Fathers and sons have such a special relationship. Fireplace pokers, guns and other weaponry are part and parcel of the love fathers and sons share. In fact, it's probably not limited to fathers and sons. Fathers and daughters can experience it. Ask Tatum O'Neal. She's gone years without speaking to her father.

This bunch knows a thing or two about alcohol and drug rehab. Seems Griffin, perhaps others, need to learn more though. The lessons don't seem to have taken well.

Lives out of control. It's more commonplace than we want to admit.

Contrast that with a book I recently began reading entitled, "The 100 Mile Walk: A Father and Son On A Quest To Find The Essence of Leadership."

Sander Flaum, dad, enjoins son, Jonathan, on a literal and figurative walk (visit their website). Here's what Amazon.com reviewer, Peter Han, has to say about the book:

"The formula sounds immediately intriguing: a 65-year-old, hard-charging executive with old-fashioned values conducts a dialogue with his 35-year-old, Zen-influenced son about what qualities define great leadership. One's a Republican, the other independent. One drives an Audi, the other a Subaru. One likes his vacations best when they involve golf in Scottsdale, while the other prefers backcountry roams in Yellowstone. Yet together, they aim to develop a common picture of the essence of leadership--agreement on what characterizes those special people that others follow--and in this engagingly written, disarmingly personal book, they do.

Co-authors Sander Flaum and his son, Jonathon Flaum, are products of different eras, and the inter-generational tension that runs through their book gives it its unique flavor. Father and son's voices alternate in The 100-Mile Walk, with the elder, Sander, typically writing first, and Jonathon presenting his own opinions next. Each shows the different influences of his generation in their exchanges about various aspects of leadership.

Sander grew up in Brooklyn, heavily influenced by the surrounding Jewish community. Inspired by a demanding, determined mother, he worked his way up a conventional career ladder, beginning at a large pharmaceutical company and then moving onto an ad agency. He displays and extols traditional virtues like hard work, determination, ambition, and the like. His son Jonathon, meanwhile, has a markedly more new-fashioned orientation, having gotten an MFA degree rather than an MBA, and referring repeatedly in the book to teachings of Zen masters. After a brief career in the arts, primarily as a playwright, Jonathon has become an executive coach with surprisingly starchy, button-downed clients.

As their backgrounds suggest, where father and son come together makes for interesting reading. The "walk" to which the book's title refers is actually a series of strolls, adding up to 100 miles, that father and son take together. In their jaunts through Manhattan; Asheville, North Carolina; New Orleans; and Columbus, Ohio, Sander and Jonathon discuss what eventually become 9 key qualities that they believe most good leaders exhibit. The 9 P's, as they refer to them, are: people, purpose, passion, performance, persistence, perspective, paranoia, principles, and practice.

The book's structure revolves around these 9 qualities, as Sander and Jonathon discuss each in turn, weave in anecdotal examples from real-life organizational leaders. The chapters then close with checklist summaries of key things for readers to remember. The lessons themselves aren't revolutionary; what's different is the thoughtful, at times intimate dialogue between a father and son, and what others might draw from it. Former astronaut and Senator John Glenn, lauds the Flaums' open, questioning tone, and their lack of dogmatism, in his Foreword: "this book does not presume answers; it asks probing questions." Those questions are indeed provocative ones, and readers ready to take an unusual walk with the Flaums will be well rewarded."

It's too early for me to tell you the book is worth reading. I'll let you know as my reading progresses. What interests me today is the contrast between one father, aged 65, and his son - and another father, also aged 65, and his son. One is firing a gun to stop his son from swinging a fireplace poker at his head. The other is walking around with his son talking about various principles of leadership and life.

The dysfunctional nature of some relationships is always amazing. How else can you explain the lure of the Jerry Springer Show or Dr. Phil? Admittedly, Dr. Phil is much smarter TV viewing, but the point is the same - these and other shows often depict people with serious relationship problems. We're often intrigued to watch people whose lives involve more craziness than our own.

I'm not yet 65, but so far - I've never fired a weapon in self-defense against any family members, including my kids. In fact, I've never fired or welded a weapon in self-defense against anybody. Well, does it count if you walk down the hall of your house in the middle of the night with an old night stick (I've never used a night stick during daylight hours so that's okay, right)? I admit I have armed myself against noises in the night, but usually I resort mostly to whistling a tune. Demons and boogers don't strike whistlers, or so I've heard. Years of practice and fear have provided me with the whistling skills of a red breasted warbler.

Back to fathers and their children - or just fathers and husbands, in general.

How can a relationship deteriorate into such a scene found at the O'Neal house on Saturday night? Well, drugs and alcohol surely have their place in such a scene, but that's not the whole story. Sadly, I'd guess you'd have to go back 40 years, give or take, to when little Griffin may have been the proverbial apple of his father's eye. Now, at age 43, Griffin is a physical threat to dad. Makes me wonder about all the years in between. That's where the secrets can be found. Those are the years where demons are born.

As a father I have often wondered what baggage I've loaded down on my kids. Time will tell. So far, I'm proud of them and I hope they're proud of me, but both are likely a greater testament to their mother than anybody. Her influence on all our lives has helped us immeasurably.

A father's love for his children is special - or should be. It should never warrant firearms or fireplace pokers. A father's love could easily warrant a 100 mile walk and lots of conversation though. I'd walk a million miles with my kids in order to learn, teach and love.

$140,000 + Two Wheels + Titanium Frame + Lots of Carbon Fiber = Death Bike For Cutie

2007-02-05T07:15:00.000-06:00

It's an ECOSSE Moto Works, Inc. made Heretic Ti. Tell me this isn't a beast. I don't even ride motorcycles, but I'm quite impressed with this death machine - and its price - and its specs. It's got a titanium chassis, 120 cubic inches of power, 135hp engine, carbon fiber body work, carbon fiber wheels, Ohlins Suberbike Gas forks, and a six-speed overdrive transmission. Oh, and a price tag of about $140,000. You have to give them a deposit to get in line for one. Helmet and good judgment are not included.

The Super Bowl Will Not Impact My Life

2007-02-02T07:48:00.000-06:00

I don't live in Chicago. I don't live in Indianapolis. I enjoy football and I'll be watching the game at home in high definition. I hope it's a competitive game and fun to watch. But I don't much care about the outcome. One team will hoist this trophy and it matters not which one.

I don't work in sports, much less professional football. I'm not a player, coach, scout or agent. I have no vested interest in this or any other football game. If I did, I could see how the game might impact my life.

I live in north Texas - Dallas Cowboys country. If the Cowboys were in the Super Bowl my life would still be somewhat unaffected, except for the radio talk I'd be subjected to for weeks. And I'm already subjected to that because the owner, Jerry Jones, continues to search for a coach. I agree with a local sports reporter who somewhat tongue-in-cheek suggested Jerry pick up the whistle and coach the team himself.

No, my life will be negligibly affected by this game.

All week I've listened to my favorite radio station - KTCK "The Ticket" - broadcast live from Miami. I've managed to watch in on their webcam a little bit, too. It's been an entertaining week. Super Bowl hype is grander than most. It's full throttle in every way.

But - it just won't impact my life that much. If you don't work in sports - particularly football - why would it? I'm reminded of a scene in the movie "Coach Carter" staring Samuel L. Jackson as coach Ken Carter. The wise coach is attempting to teach his urban basketball players that education is the key to their future success. They want to win the championship. He asks them, "Who won last year?" None of them know. They just know they want to win.

It proves the point - we don't long remember champions of athletic competition - or who won the Super Bowl. It just doesn't matter to most of us because it has no long lasting affect on our life. Yes, the teams are impacted. Yes, the host city - this year, it's Miami - is impacted. Media is impacted because they can sell more advertising and garner higher ratings/circulation. Advertising salespeople can earn higher commissions. I know events of this magnitude affect some lives more than others, but over time - even that impact is diminished.

On Monday morning I'll report to work as usual. Nothing will have changed. My health won't be improved by watching the athletic prowess of men half my age. My wallet won't be any fatter because I don't gamble. My wallet won't be any thinner because I don't gamble. My wife won't love me any more, or less. My children won't either.

By Tuesday morning only the two cities - Chicago and Indianapolis - will care. And within a few weeks they'll stop caring.

But for these few weeks leading up to the event - the world focuses enormous attention on a single game. A football game. Millions of dollars are being spent, invested and wagered. It's America's finest hours of entertainment. It will be watched by more people than any single event of 2007.

But it won't feed one starving child.
It won't save one lost soul.
It won't recover one wayward addict.
It won't stop a single mad bomber in Iraq from following his hatred of America.
It won't help one child learn to read.
It won't launch one child into higher education.
It won't save one dying person.

It's a powerful waste of resources, but I'll be watching. And I still don't care who wins - but I'll think of all the people who lose. This is, after all, America and people can spend their money as they like. Foolishness can rule the day (or week, or weekend). We allow foolishness in America. I'm thankful for that. But it's still tough to figure out how people place a high value on things with such a low return on investment (or expense).

This Man Is An Idiot, And He Wants To Be Your Next President

2007-01-31T22:04:00.000-06:00

I've long found Democratic Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware to be a pompous man with a tedious communication style - and he's never met a camera or a microphone that he didn't like - alot. Today, he announced his candidacy for the 2008 Presidential race.

The New York Observer published an article where Biden described Senator Barack Obama, the Illinois Democrat running for president, as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”

Did I say that out loud? Yes, Joseph - you did. OOPS!

I can hear the campaign train coming off the track now. And it couldn't have happened to a more deserving candidate.

What do you want to bet he still hasn't found any humility? Read more and you'll quickly see - nope, he's still the same arrogant snot he's always been.

I'm not pro-Obama. I'm not pro or con anything political. I'm not political at all, but idiots make me crazy no matter where they're found. Unfortunately, the government employs an extremely high percentage of them. Biden has served in the U.S. Senate since 1973. Further proving, I suppose, that people would rather re-elect a known idiot than risk learning a new idiot.

The Eagles: And You Thought They'd Flown The Coop

2007-01-31T16:27:00.000-06:00

The Eagles are believed to be Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Timothy B. Schmidt. And they are not finished yet although Henley thinks they may kill each other before they get their next record finished.

While playing a private concert this past Saturday in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Henley said, "It's coming out in 60 to 90 days, if we don't kill each other first."

The group disbanded in 1982, but reunited in 1994 for a farewell tour that also featured original member Don Felder. They appeared together again in 1998 with past members Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Now, Henley and the Eagles aren't talking or answering questions about the release. Who will play on it? Will they tour?

I guess we'll have to wait 2-3 months to find out. Or we'll be reading about the death of some famous members if they do indeed kill each other first.

Billy Joel Has A Song In His Heart (About His Hot Young Wife)

2007-01-31T12:34:00.000-06:00

Separated only by 32 years, Billy Joel (who I think will turn 57 this year) is releasing a song about his new wife (they married two years ago) who is about 25. Katie Lee Joel is a culinary person. She has worked as a food reviewer and is currently writing about the culinary craft. I hear she's got a book soon to be released.

She's quite pretty. Why should we expect anything else - Christie Brinkley was (and still is) no slouch. Billy just keeps getting younger at the wife position. Katie Lee is his third.

The song is entitled, "All My Life" and Joel claims it's the only pop song he's finished since his 1993 release of "River of Dreams." The new song will be available February 20th. However, you can see and hear Joel sing the national anthem at Sunday's SuperBowl.

Billy Joel is obviously much more than the Piano Man.

Sidney Sheldon Dies at 89

2007-01-31T07:47:00.000-06:00

"I try to write my books so the reader can't put them down," Sheldon explained in a 1982 interview. "I try to construct them so when the reader gets to the end of a chapter, he or she has to read just one more chapter. It's the technique of the old Saturday afternoon serial: Leave the guy hanging on the edge of the cliff at the end of the chapter."

Sidney Sheldon, who enjoyed very successful careers in cinema, theatre, and later television before turning to fiction and becoming a spectacularly popular novelist, died in Los Angeles following complications from pneumonia. He was 89.

Sheldon, who was born in Chicago in 1917, wrote and sold his first written work at age 10. He won the Academy Award for best original screenplay of 1947 for "The Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer", staring Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and Shirley Temple. His other screenwriting hits included Easter Parade, Annie Get Your Gun, Jumbo and Anything Goes.

With the advent of TV he hit big with "I Dream of Jeannie", which he created, produced and wrote. The show ran between 1965 and 1970.

It was at this stage, aged 50, that Sheldon turned his hand to another new challenge: writing books. "During the last year of I Dream of Jeannie, I decided to try a novel," he said in 1982. "Each morning from nine until noon, I had a secretary at the studio take all calls. I mean every single call. I wrote each morning - or rather, dictated - and then I faced the TV business."

The result was The Naked Face, which was scorned by book reviewers but went on to sell some 3.1 million copies. Other Sheldon's novels - including Rage of Angels, The Other Side of Midnight, Master of the Game and If Tomorrow Comes - reached bestseller status.

His first wife, Joria Curtright Sheldon, died in 1985. He is survived by his second wife, Alexandra Kostoff, a daughter and two grandchildren.

I confess that about 20 years ago I got hooked on Sheldon's work. I read many of his novels and found his life as a writer fascinating. His accomplishments always amazed me. He was a gifted story teller and I'll miss his work.

Ken Dryden's #29 Retired In Montreal

2007-01-30T13:07:00.000-06:00

Ken Dryden is synonymous with hockey goaltending. He was 258-57-74 with 46 shutouts and a 2.24 goals-against-average in 397 regular season games. Oh, yeah. He also had six Stanley Cups from 1971-79 to go with his five Vezina trophies as the league's best goalie. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. Not a shabby career.

This picture is the pose he's most known for. He is 6' - 4" so he was quite an imposing figure in his day. He would be today, too.

Montreal retired his #29 last night. On hand along with family and friends were some special people - former head coach Al MacNeil and fellow goaltenders Vladislav Tretiak and Dave Dryden, Ken's brother. On March 20, 1971, in a game between the Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens, Dave faced his brother Ken, the only time in the history of the NHL that brothers have opposed each other as goalies. At the end of the game, the two brothers shook hands at center ice, a tradition normally saved for the playoffs. They reacted that scene last night.

"If anybody has a visual image of me, it's standing, leaning on my stick, watching, waiting, not doing anything," Dryden told the capacity crowd of 21,273.

"That was pretty much what the 1970s was about. That, and a whole lot of Stanley Cups."

There are some wonderful photographs of Dryden here.

And there is another good story of the evening reported here.

His hockey career is remarkable, but his accomplishments extended well beyond the ice. He has been involved in politics, President of the Maple Leafs and he authored four books including the best hockey book ever written, "The Game."

By the way, the Habs beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 in the game, which was delayed 90 minutes with the ceremony.

I Am Jack Bauer

2007-01-30T08:04:00.000-06:00

Well, not really. I don't even own a gun, much less a bullet-proof vest. And I sure don't know how to get GPS on a cell phone. I don't think my Motorola phone has that capability. However, this morning I felt like Jack. I often feel like Jack, but normally it's not Bauer.

The morning commute in the north Texas area is always predictably heavy. This morning it was slightly worse than normal as I found myself behind an early 90's model Lincoln Town Car. The white car was from Michigan. The rear bumper was missing lots of paint. There was a cell phone antenna base mounted on the rear window, but there was no antenna attached. The car had seen better days. Inside were 3 men - two in the front, one in the back. Mounted on the dash was a GPS mapping device. The driver was on a cell phone. The men were not from around here. They may not have been from Michigan either. They were men from a different culture. And my imagination went to work - I became Jack Bauer.

It was curious to me that a car in this condition, from the other side of the country, would be fighting metro rush hour traffic, with a missing cell antenna - but with a GPS device on the dash. The driver was talking on the cell phone for awhile. He then handed it to the man in the back seat - no doubt the man who was arming the bomb. I warned you that my imagination went to work. I never claimed it was honorable work.

As we drove I continued to wonder about their story. Where were they going? Had they just arrived into town? Why were they here? We don't often see Michigan car plates here in Texas.

Traffic finally opened up a bit and they got over into the far right hand lane to exit. I passed them and noticed - sure enough - these boys weren't from around here. They exited and I continued to drive to work. But I did remember their license number. What do I plan to do with it? Nothing. Just remember it. And wait. When news comes down later today that something in the area has blown up, I may call the authorities and tell them what I saw.

Did these men do anything to rouse my suspicions? Of course. They entered my space. They made themselves visible to me. They looked different from me. Their car didn't quite match my image of a vehicle worthy of an on dash GPS device. Besides, we all know trouble travels in threes. These three men clearly had terror on their mind. They must have! I'm Jack Bauer.

I'm ordering my Glock 9mm and vest right now. Fed Ex Overnite.

(Okay, Jack doesn't sport a Glock, but you get the point. Go here to see all the Jack Bauer gear.)

Vista: They Only Come Out At Night

2007-01-29T15:24:00.000-06:00

Microsoft's Windows Vista will be released for sale tonight. PC users everywhere are insanely anxious for this latest product from the Bill Gates' empire. I'm a Mac user from way back - so I could care less. Perhaps Vista will have a different color screen of death other than that standard blue one. Maybe Microsoft will let you set the screen color you prefer - like Vomit Green, Dung Brown or Urine Yellow. Yes, my opinion of Windows is quite low. Not Microsoft - just Windows. I'm not the Microsoft hater that many are - take away Office and I'd be lost!

Microsoft says, "The WOW starts now." No, the wow started years ago when people discovered how awful Windows was. In fact, years ago I said, "WOW! I can't believe anybody would prefer this over a Mac."

Bring on Leopard - the forthcoming Apple OS due this Spring.

Born on a Blue Day

2007-01-29T12:29:00.000-06:00

Daniel Tammet, an Englishman with a brilliant mind, was featured on 60 Minutes last night. Click here to visit his official website.

Like many other viewers I'm interested in reading this book. Today, it has risen to the number one seller on Amazon. The title may confuse you, but Mr. Tammet explained that he sees color. Numbers are colors to him. So, the date of his birth appears blue.

In over 5 hours he was able to recall pi to 22,514 decimal places - a memory feat without parallel. However, he told Morley Safer that once the interview ended he would not be able to recall Morley's face. He's stressed to visit the beach because he's compelled to count the sand. What seems incredible also has a variety of curses. What it does show is how fantastic the human mind is - and it causes us all to wonder what potential exists that we're unable to unlock. Wouldn't finding the key to such incredible mind power be wonderful IF you could harness it without the compulsions that can derail such minds?

Mr. Tammet is believed to be the only self-sufficient and articulate savant. It was a remarkable interview and he's a remarkable story.

Barbaro Passes

2007-01-29T11:06:00.000-06:00

After a long ordeal following a broken leg, Barbaro was put down this morning. The odds for recovery were never high, but kudos to the Pennsylania vet medicine team for helping the horse make it this long. Odds are never good for an animal that spends 90% of his time standing.

I have no interest in horse racing or gambling, but I was sad when I saw the injury. I'm sad now. Proof that life (and death) are not fair. Bad things happen to good people - and good animals. And some things - perhaps many things - are beyond our control.

Life continues.

Lloyd Dobler's Career Ambitions

2007-01-26T12:09:00.000-06:00

"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that." - Lloyd Dobler

I know some folks who share Lloyd's ambitions. The character, played by John Cusack, appeared in Cameron Crowe's "Say Anything." It's a funny line in a movie. It's not that funny when it's real life - for somebody. It's downright depressing when it's real life - for YOU.

Conversations with people who are looking for meaningful employment often end up going like this, "Well, I know I don't want to ____________________. And I don't want to _______________. And I'd rather not __________________." Like Lloyd, many people seem to know what they DON'T want. Knowing what they DO want is much tougher though.

Maybe that's the key. Find out what you DO want - not what you DON'T want. That's likely wise advice for any pursuit.

Look Out! They've Got A Ray Gun.

2007-01-25T10:22:00.000-06:00

An unidentified airman looks over the military's Active Denial System, a non-lethal ray gun that was demonstrated Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The system shoots a beam of energy that makes people feel they are about to catch fire. Officials say it's safe and humane. It could be used in Iraq to protect the U.S. military from insurgents and to save the lives of innocent Iraqis. (AP Photo/Elliott Minor)

I'm no military genius, but it seems to me that the antenna on this thing is a rather large target that could easily be taken out with an explosive device or a high powered firearm. (LK)

Thinking Big - How Magical Is it, Really?

2007-01-24T12:18:00.000-06:00

I read this book many years ago. I don't even remember when it was first published (a Fireside reprint was done in 1987). I'd read other books of similar ilk - Napoleon Hills' "Think and Grow Rich" comes to mind. Granted, thinking big enough may be a challenge for many of us. Life has a way of forcing lower expectations on all of us - if we permit it.

More recently, a little more than a year ago, I read this book by Mr. Jennings. It was a good read. I'm sure there are hundreds of other books about thinking big. I don't think I've ever seen a book on the virtues of thinking small - or keeping your dreams minute.

I've spent the better part of my life in business learning how to elevate performances in marketing, merchandising, inventory control, cash flow management, personnel management, accounting / financial reporting, sales management, customer retention, customer happiness, and whatever else you want to toss in the bag. Over 30 years of these various activities have taught me a few things, but I don't think I've ever come across the idea that thinking small is better than thinking big.

Anybody in sales for more than 3 months will tell you about learning not to set the expectations of the customer too high. It's always better, we're told, to exceed the customer's expectations. In other words, don't promise the customer you'll have it there today, then deliver it tomorrow. Bad news. Better to promise it'll be there tomorrow, then surprise them by having it there today. That makes sense. And it works well, too. It's never good to disappoint customers. Unless making people hopping mad is part of your business model.

In my lifetime I've done a bit of coaching. Sometimes coaching kids who were around 10 years old. The funny thing about coaching little kids is the current trend of building self-esteem in kids by cheering the mere participation in an activity. It doesn't matter if Junior can't do it. Cheer anyway. It doesn't matter if Junior hates it. Cheer anyway. (To be fair, I'm not talking about very small children. I'm talking about kids who are not first graders.) Everybody's Junior gets a medal, win - lose or draw! Great. Good job. Way to go. We don't want to shatter their dreams. We certainly don't want the losers to feel bad about losing. No, let's embrace losing. Isn't it fun?

Those two notions are hard to resolve for me. On one hand we want to set reasonable expectations so our customers aren't disappointed. On the other hand we want to set the expectation so miserably low that our kids have no understanding of how life really works.

Yes, I know - we could engage in a lengthy discussion about pushy parents who want Junior to play in the NFL, NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball. I have known plenty of parents who drove their less-than-talented kids toward aspirations that were too soon shattered. But only idiots think that's responsible parenting or coaching.

Back to thinking big or dreaming big.

Is it possible to think or dream too big? Surely the parent or child who aspires to play a professional sport, but lacks the skills necessary proves the answer is yes! Surely the business person who creates a lofty business plan for a new enterprise, with little evidence to prove they can perform the crazy numbers they project is thinking too big. I see people thinking too big all the time. They often overestimate their performance while underestimating the obstacles or challenges.

Expectations exceeding capabilities - is that really what thinking big is all about?

I don't think so.

While there's little wrong with shooting for the stars, it's terribly futile to chase stars when you have no ability to fly. Lately I've been pondering a not so novel notion of starting small, but dreaming bigger. Hear me out.

What if Junior began playing basketball. He'd been playing in the driveway with neighbor kids. He enjoyed it. He wasn't a complete klutz, but he didn't have Air Jordan moves either. He's 10 and has never played on an organized team before. We sign him up.

Having fun must be priority ONE for every 10 year old athlete. I think parents who expect more from a 10 year old are nuts. Have fun, hustle and be a great teammate - that would be my advice.

Now Junior is 12. He's demonstrated some ability at basketball. Now things are a bit more competitive. Not everybody plays equally. The better players play more. Junior wants to play a lot. He wants to start. He practices more. He shoots more basketballs than ever before. His game is improving. And along with that improvement in skills comes an elevated expectation. Perhaps the dream of the NBA is still on his radar. Problem? Not really.

The problem is if Junior is 12 years old and his game is no better than it was when he was 10. And he wants to be a starter for his team. He's thinking big. He's still dreaming of the NBA. Now, everybody has a problem. Junior, his parents, the coach and the team. Everybody cries.

The point? Thinking big requires constant adjustment. While we may think big today - we may discover that tomorrow proves we weren't thinking big enough. Or, it may prove we were thinking too big. We should adjust the expectation without waving the white flag.

Some dreams need to die. Junior at 12 who can't play basketball needs to kill the NBA dream because he won't even be able to realize the dream to be a starter for his 12 year old team. He'll waste his life chasing something that will never happen. Find a new dream. Dream big in a different direction. Maybe his talents lie elsewhere. Find out where.

The entrepreneur who embarks on a new enterprise expecting to become the next Microsoft or Google only to find that he can't earn enough profit to make his car payment should probably recalculate the expectation. There are millions who have started businesses and spent millions of dollars only to eventually give up because the enterprise couldn't sustain itself.

Is thinking big the problem or is refusing to make adjustments the problem? Well, there's the rub, I think. I tend to think few of us dream or think big enough. We're stuck in thinking only special, lucky or extraordinarily talented can achieve the wild success we see in others. That success isn't available to us. In many of these cases, our minds limit us. Sure, other things may limit us, too. But our minds don't help matters. We don't think we can. And we're right.

I'm all for thinking bigger when it comes to thinking what's possible. Martha Stewart isn't any brighter than me, but she's wildly successful earning more now after a stint in prison than she was earning before (go figure). Oprah Winfrey isn't the most talented broadcaster to ever live, but nobody has made more money and influenced more people. Talent isn't always the barometer of wild success. There are many forces in play. It does begin with a dream, a thought. And it does begin with thinking big. Most successful people I know are able to consider the possibility of big success.

But the adjustments must be made or we witness lives of sad failure as lofty dreams are chased and chased, but never caught. The journey, or chase, may very well be the value of the dream, but there has to be a realization or a destination that is reached. No ship wants to set sail for a port that is always out of reach. That's foolish sailing.

Dream big. Think big. Take small steps toward the goal. Go through the checkpoints along the way to mark the progress. If those milestones show the lofty goal is still very much in sight then keep moving forward with everything you've got. If the milestones show the lofty goal is only moving further away then reconsider the goal. Don't doubt yourself. Doubt the appropriateness of the goal. Don't waste time chasing a dream that will never be within reach. Search hard for a new goal - one just as lofty - but different. One more suitable for you based on what you learned by chasing all the ones that went before.

We Are What We Do. Or, Are We?

2007-01-22T13:41:00.000-06:00

Recently, I discovered this website, wearewhatwedo.org. It's a rather novel, sometimes humorous approach, to taking actions that improve our lives. And I basically agree with the premise.

In a sense, we are all what we do. Our behavior does determine who we are. Liars are liars because they lie. Thieves are thieves because they steal. Honest people are honest because they tell the truth and don't practice deception. You get the idea.

In another sense, we aren't simply what we do. The school teacher isn't defined merely by teaching school. Nor is the attorney, doctor, salesperson, or auto mechanic. Those occupations - things we do - don't make us who we are. They may play a part, but life isn't so simple, or easy.

My professional life has been spent in business. For many years I have wished I'd taken some different courses toward education. I've long had a vision of what life might be like to be involved in higher education - teaching college. But, I didn't make that choice. Some opportunities have a short window. I missed mine. That may be just as well. Who knows?

Business has defined my professional life, but it hardly seems adequate to define who I am. It is what I do. In that sense, I guess it's partly true - you are what you do. In another sense - it's not always where my passion or desire is found. Is there room to define people not by what they do, but by what they care about, what they long for, what they dream of?

The difficulty in that is knowing of it. It's easy to judge a person by what they do. It's visible. How are we to know they may hate it? How are we to know they may wish they were doing something else?

Some people have secret lives. They chase dreams that most don't know about. I once had an employee who played a mean guitar. He was in a band and longed to break into the music business. I don't know if he ever made it or not. This was over 25 years ago. But playing music isn't what I had hired him to do. He had a rather menial job, but that job didn't determine who he was. Not really.

It could be argued that he was playing the guitar. It's an action or behavior he was doing even though many people at work had no idea. True enough. And that brings me to something I remember reading many years ago about writers. It's simple, but profound. I have no idea who said it. "Writers write." You could insert any noun with the appropriate verb and it would fit.

Liars lie.
Haters hate.
Lovers love.
Writers write.
Drivers drive.
Laughers laugh.
Coaches coach.

All the talk today about now retired Cowboys' coach Bill Parcells has certainly brought this idea to the front burner for me. All day the radio has been filled with talk about how Bill Parcells is a coach. It's all he knows. It's what he does. Questions are asked, "Can he survive without it?" Time may answer some questions.

It dawns on me that now Parcells has no interest in the Dallas Cowboys. Whatever fretful nights he has spent agonizing over this team are now behind him. He's moving on with his life. Is Bill Parcells the bully we saw in weekly press conferences? Is Bill Parcells purely an NFL coach? I don't know. Like most, I have an idea about him - a way I feel about the man. I may not have it right at all though. I don't really know Bill Parcells.

Like all of us I doubt he's so easily defined. There are facts about his life that show some things. He divorced a wife after 40 years of marriage. Or she divorced him. He's a New Jersey/New York kind of guy. He likes horse racing. Bob Knight is a friend. So is (or was) Pat Summerall. So is Tony Larussa. He's no more easily pigeonholed than any of us. Turn and look at him one way and he appears to be one thing. Turn and look at a different angle and he's something quite different. All at one time.

We are what we do. Therefore, we should make today count. We should do something today that makes us the person we want to be. Want to be more honest? Then be more honest today. Behave honestly. Take actions toward what you want to be. It will make you who are you.

We aren't merely what we do. Professional life. Personal life. Spiritual life. Mental life. Emotional life. The simplest among us is quite complex. Take action today to be what you want to become. In time, you'll be who you hope to be.

If you want to be a writer - write.

Bill Parcells Retires

2007-01-22T11:15:00.000-06:00

One of the most physically unfit coaches in all of sports has retired, again. Perhaps this time for good. With one year remaining on his contract with Jerry Jones, coach Bill has announced - about 20 minutes ago - that he will not return.

Now the speculation begins. Names like Stoops, Cowher, Carroll and others are already being tossed around. Who knows? Leave it to the Cowboys to make more press than the teams in this year's SuperBowl.

Bill won't be addressing the media. That's a shocker - since Bill loved the media so much. NOT!
Jerry is supposed to release a statement later today. Stay tuned.

It's always fun in Dallas.

Ron Carey Dead At 71

2007-01-21T20:57:00.000-06:00

Ron is the short guy in the middle. He's probably best known for his recurring role on Barney Miller as Officer Carl Levitt - a short cop with an attitude. His character longed to be part of Barney's detective squad.

He died of a stroke at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His real name was Ronald Joseph Cicenia. He was born in Newark, NJ.

He graduated from Seton Hall in 1956 and started a career in stand up comedy. He made a career as a character actor, performing in commercials and movies - most notably playing the cabbie in "The Out-of-Towners" with Jack Lemmon.

I was a fan of the Barney Miller show and always thought Carey's work as Officer Levitt was funny. Like so many other character actors, Carey's work probably often went unnoticed by the crowd. I noticed. Maybe you did, too.

Roll Your Own

2007-01-20T00:02:00.000-06:00

No, I don't mean your own joint. And I don't mean your own regular tobacco cigarette like the old-timers used to do.

Roll your own life - personally and professionally. Your pharmacist isn't the only one who can't do it for you. There is a lengthy list of people who can't do it for you. Some may be able to help, but in the end - it's up to you to roll your own!

Crouching toward the downhill side of life - I'm smack dab in the middle of middle age - I have long realized that people, including me, must be in charge of their own destiny. Awareness of that truth doesn't necessarily make it easy to take charge and roll your own. For many people, it's far easier to let life happen. Don't believe me? Just go ask any 10 guys how they got into the business they're in. My guess is that at least 6 of them will tell you they just fell into it - somehow. That certainly doesn't mean they took no action, exercised no proactivity and just showed up each day. But it could mean they weren't nearly as take charge as they could have been.

Capabilities and desire aren't always in balance. Barry Sanders was an incredible football player yet he claimed he hated to play. How else can you explain his ability to walk away at the height of his professional career?

I have no idea if I might be quite capable of playing a musical instrument. Fact is, I've not had sufficient desire to learn. Oh, sure. I often fantasize about being able to play the piano or guitar, but I've not been sufficiently motivated to learn. That surely must mean the desire was never strong enough for me to seriously attempt to learn. Until that desire exists, I'll never know if I am capable of playing or not. What other capabilities might I have if only I had the proper desire? What about you? "If only" is among the sadder phrases I know when applied to a life that might have been.

Rolling your own involves clear thought that often eludes the brightest people. The emotions. The fears. The doubt. The want. The need. So many things crowd our thoughts - sometimes the brain clutter prevents clear thought and prevents us from finding the way to roll our own. By accepting whatever happens in life, we avoid all that. We don't have to think about fear when we simply wake up in a new world every day. We don't have to fret about the challenges when we've never accepted them to begin with. We can just let the wind blow - and go wherever it takes us! Easy.

The problem is the wind may not blow in a direction that best serves our life. And we may leave all kinds of potential unrealized. In fact, we will likely be wasting our life by refusing to set sail for a specific harbor.

Our life is a journey that requires planning, organization, courage and action. Well, it requires those things if we want to roll our own. I find it ironic that many people I know who refuse to control their own destiny speak of choosing their own course, doing their own thing and following their own rules. Stupid people. They're too foolish to realize they control nothing. They're free from nothing except their own ability to take charge of their life. They're following only the rules of life's random momentum.

What does it take to roll your own?

1. Search deep within yourself. Examine what you really want in life. Think carefully about your dreams, aspirations and desires. What matters most to you? For what will you sacrifice your time, money and energy?

2. Write it all down. Write, write and write some more. The more you write, the clearer the vision.

3. Begin with the end in view. What is your end game? What's the result of your dream or desire? Start there and work your way backwards. Figure out how you can end up where you want.

4. Develop a plan. Stanford professor Bob Sutton co-authored a wonderful book, "The Knowing-Doing Gap." The premise is straight-forward. Close the gap between what you know to do and what you actually decide to do. Sometimes we all know what we should do. We just don't do it. Do what you know will take you closer to your dream. Write down the actions you can take today - right now - to get you closer to your port. Sail your ship to your destination of choice.

5. Take a step. Put yourself out there. Risk it. Failure isn't fatal. Nor is it final. Do something. Begin the walk. Roll is a verb. It means action. Stop merely thinking and planning now. Start doing.

6. No matter what happens, keep moving forward. Sure, you may have to alter the course if it looks as though your planned actions won't move you closer to the goal. That's just smart course correction. Do it often. But always move forward. Like the sleepless shark - always keep moving and make sure every movement takes you closer to the dream. Some days the steps may be slight. Other days you may take quantum leaps. No matter. Just move toward the objective. All progress is good.

7. Enjoy the trip. Savor the experience. Learn from every mistake. Don't lose heart. The mistakes will help you accomplish that much needed course correction. The successes will reinforce the correctness of your map (plan). Have fun.

8. Don't stop until you've reached your port. This step spoils lots of dreams. Distractions come. We take our eyes of the prize. Like the dog chasing the rabbit, only to spot a squirrel and begin a new chase - never catching either - we have to keep our focus on what we're chasing and ONLY what we're chasing until we catch it. Relentless pursuit. Emblazon that phrase into your mind. Relentless pursuit. Don't let anything sidetrack your chase.

I remember watching old men take out their rolling papers to roll their own cigarettes. I've never smoked so I lack the appreciation of the art. I also lack the understanding of why they did it. But I suspect they did it for a variety of reasons. Lower cost. Individualized taste made available by using the tobacco of your choice. The fun of doing it yourself. Rolling your own had value or they wouldn't have done it. They'd have purchased manufactured smokes.

I don't advocate smoking - legal smokes or illegal smokes. I do strongly advocate you roll your own though. Make your own way. Create your own future. Sail your own ship to the port of your own choosing.

Art Buchwald Dead At 81

2007-01-18T13:32:00.000-06:00

The Pulitzer Prize winning columnist known as the "Wit of Washington," Art Buchwald, died late Wednesday.

“I’m having a swell time,” he said of his dying. “The best time of my life.”

“The last year he had the opportunity for a victory lap and I think he was really grateful for it,” said son Joel Buchwald. “He had an opportunity to write his book about his experience and he went out the way he wanted to go, on his own terms.”

He was published in over 500 papers in a syndicated column. The Washington Post published his work in later years. He would be best described as a satirist. He wrote of life in Washington and nothing was sacred.

He published a memoir in 1995 on his early years, “Leaving Home.” Buchwald wrote that humor was his salvation. He wrote more than 30 books. I read my first Buchwald book while studying journalism in college. He was funny, witty and clever.

“People ask what I am really trying to do with humor,” he wrote. “The answer is, ’I’m getting even.’ ... For me, being funny is the best revenge.”

Last January he lost a leg to amputation due to poor circulation. He suffered a stroke in 2000. And he rejected dialysis this past year. He died while in hospice care. He knew he was dying and made fun of it often. He lamented that since death had not come as quickly as he first thought, he had to rewrite his will, buy a new cell phone and continue to worry about Bush.

You have to admire a man who once talked about his recreational preference being "anything that doesn't require physical exercise. I think exercise is dangerous. People should stay in the horizontal position as much as possible."

I'm not terribly interested in politics, but a person should read some Buchwald to round out their reading habits. He seemed to be a guy you'd love to have known - a fun guy to sit with for lots of laughter. He laughed easily. He made me laugh, too.

Click here if you'd like to read some of his columns.

Being Anxious

2007-01-16T07:33:00.000-06:00

I've observed anxiety before. From time to time it rears its ugly head in all our lives. Sometimes there's little explanation. Other times it's quite clear why it strikes. I've observed a few subtle things about my own anxiety.

1. Rarely is it warranted.

Whenever I stop to closely examine why I'm feeling anxious, I often discover there's no logical reason for it. Feeling anxious is not tantamount to having an anxiety attack! I've known people who were paralyzed with anxiety. The needs medical attention. Feelings of anxiety aren't nearly that severe, but they can still derail a day (or hour, or week, etc.).

Something small and inconsequential is often at the root of my anxiety. It makes the anxiety seem ridiculous most of the time.

2. That doesn't make it go away.

You'd think once you come to grips that anxiety isn't warranted - it would automatically disappear. No, quite the contrary. It can build greater anxiety if you let it - and too frequently I do.

Feeling ridiculous, stupid or illogical is certainly reason enough for elevated anxiety. I guess.

3. You have to focus to make it go away.

I've been in the gym on many occasions and found that if I focus intently I can do more reps or lift heavier weight. It's not an imagined benefit. It's measurable. It's real. In fact, yesterday while working out I was not focused at all on what I was doing and I was struggling after about 8 reps. I stopped, rested a moment and got my focus back. I discovered a bolt on a machine about 15 feet away. I stared at that bolt, for lack of something better. I concentrated and did 15 reps without significant strain.

Getting rid of anxiety - at least for me - requires the same level of concentration and intensity. I don't have some magical device. I'm looking for one I guess. What works sometimes may not work at other times. Sometimes I think of something funny. And it works. Sometimes I think of something funny. And nothing. Sometimes I think of people who matter most to me and I'm thankful for them. That almost always works. Sometimes I think of how blessed my life is in seemingly small, but quite significant ways. That almost always works.

You know what won't work? Thinking about things. Thinking about my career, or ambitions, or things - it never works. In fact, it makes matters worse.

BEING THANKFUL WORKS WONDERS!

THAT is the bottom line to anxiety - and life in general I think. I wonder what health issues - both physical and mental, not to mention spiritual - might be positively affected by developing improved habits of thankfulness.

Life never gives you exactly what you want, or feel you deserve. Quite often, it gives you better!

Be more thankful and you just may discover you find more things in your life worthy of thanks. If you're religious, you thank God. If you're not, I'm not sure who or what you thank. You probably think you deserve what you've got because you're a spectacular person. If that describes you, I feel badly for you. Life will never grow larger than you do.

Can You Spot The Jerk?

2007-01-12T20:28:00.000-06:00

Me neither. I don't know either one of them personally. However, Business Week journalist Diane Brady has written a little piece in the recent issue entitled, "Being Mean Is So Last Millennium."

The fellow in the first photo is current Boeing CEO James W. McNerney. The other guy is recently ousted Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli. Both were in the running to succeed Jack Welch at GE. Both lost. Ms. Brady's article contrasts how each man responded to the news that Jeffrey Immelt would replace Jack - and not them.

McNerney was gracious. Nardelli bitter. According to Brady, Nardelli is the jerk. I don't know if Brady has it right or not. But I do know many corporate offices are full of jerks - and it's not restricted to the executive suite.

Brady ends her article --- "With likability a buzzword among CEO headhunters, it can make all the difference. Nardelli clearly cared about Home Depot. When it came to measures like profitability, his push was paying off. What he neglected was the touchy-feely stuff: the enthusiasm of his people, a sense of humility before his board, the care and feeding of his shareholders. It all seems so soft and irrelevant, until the injured egos decide to fight back."

Not all jerks look like jerks. Not all jerks appear to be jerks to just everybody. I know men who are royal jerks to those to work for them. To most others, they're gracious. That makes them extremely dangerous. They're deceptive. Deception is never safe.

Professor Bob Sutton has written a new book, "The No Asshole Rule." While the term may be offensive to some it does fully describes the vile behavior of many business owners, managers and employees. The world is full of toxic people. Sutton does indeed get it. And he even blogs to explain the dirty title.

Leaning toward wisdom involves learning how to better deal with jerks and more importantly, how to get them out of your life. This year I'm resolving to get rid of at least 1 jerk who is in my professional life. I can tell you this much, it's harder than you'd think. But I'm resolved.

"I Still Plod Along With Books"

2007-01-11T07:15:00.000-06:00

Harper Lee, the 80 year old reclusive author of "To Kill A Mockingbird" wrote a letter to Oprah Winfrey's "O" Magazine in June 2006. In the letter she expressed her love of books.

"Now, 75 years later in an abundant society where people have laptops, cell phones, iPods and minds like empty rooms, I still plod along with books."

Last night in Montgomery, Alabama two high schools collaborated to present a play of "To Kill A Mockingbird." They invited the Monroeville, Alabama native who wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning novel to be their special guest to Wednesday's "by invitation only" presentation. Ms. Lee showed up. By the way, one high school was predominantly white, the other one predominantly black.

That's what made me think of Harper Lee, an author who has written virtually nothing since the 1960 publication of "Mockingbird." Truman Capote was a childhood friend and neighbor. In fact, after the publication of "Mockingbird" she traveled with him to Holcomb, Kansas where she helped him research the murders of the Clutter family. The resulting work was Capote's "In Cold Blood."

Because she wrote almost nothing after "Mockingbird" some speculated that Capote had really written it. But, in a personal letter Capote sent to his aunt dated July 9, 1959 he mentioned that he'd seen the manuscript from Lee and he took no credit for writing it.

She's 80 years old and still in love with books. I guess she had one great book inside of her and that was enough. I love books. I love to write. In my simple, small way - I get it.

I've often considered how life may have been different had I known any writers or authors. Nobody I knew was a writer. They mostly lived up in New England. Some, like Lee, Capote and Faulkner lived in the deep south. None of them lived in my neighborhood. Engineers, salespeople, corporate middle managers - that's who lived next door to me growing up.

Every writer I admire loves books. They all have a passion for reading and the printed page. Most have favorite authors, too.

Fifty percent of American adults are unable to read at the 8th grade level.

In 1999 only 53% of children aged 3 to 5 were read to daily by a family member. I'd bet that number has gone down.

More than three out of four of those on welfare, 85% of unwed mothers and 68% of those arrested are illiterate. About three in five of America's prison inmates are illiterate.

60 percent of America's prison inmates are illiterate and 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems.

More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level - far below the level needed to earn a living wage.

Reading literature is on the decline. I suspect all reading - for leisure - is on the decline. In a world full of content I suspect adults are reading less and less, not including those things they must read to perform their jobs. In 2002 the National Center for Education Statistics showed the trends in adult literary reading habits were on the slide. In 2002 47.3% of adults 25 or older reportedly read literature in the previous 12 months. By the way, literature is defined in this survey as any novel, play or short story. The question asked was, "During the last 12 months have you read any novels, short stories, or plays?" If they said yes, it counted. Liars can slip by such surveys. In 1982 though the same question garnered a positive response from 55.7% of adults 25 or older. So, regardless of how you feel about the methodology, there was a substantial decline in the 20 year period.

That fact is, Ms. Lee has it right. In this digital age of PlayStations, iPods, HDTV, iTunes, Blackberry, palm devices, cell phones and text messaging - books are slow requiring readers to plod. But I would argue we've lost some value in the pursuit of plodding. Sparking imaginations, traveling to places in our mind, wrapping ourselves in the situations of fictional characters - it happens best in reading. It happens best in books.

I'm with Harper Lee. I too still plod along with books...and avoid the empty mind.

New Apple iPhone (I want one)

2007-01-09T14:38:00.000-06:00

Today at MacWorld in San Francisco, Steve Jobs created more buzz and ended more than a year’s worth of rumors by introducing the iPhone. A thin design and a nearly all-screen interface is an industry first. It has a 3.5-inch wide touchscreen display with multi-touch support, a built-in 2 megapixel camera, 8 GB of storage (it plays music and video) Bluetooth with EDR, WiFi, and support for quadband GSM radio with EDGE. To cap it off, the iPhone runs OS X, the Mac operating system and supports Safari, wthe Mac web browser and widgets, as well as applications from Yahoo and Google.

Shoot Low Boys. They're Riding Miniature Horses!

2007-01-08T07:14:00.000-06:00

Misery, Quiet Desperation and Finding Your Way

2007-01-04T07:07:00.000-06:00

"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." --Henry David Thoreau

True, or false? I'd venture to guess, "True."

This is what we mean when we speak of not seeing the forest for the trees. When you're mired down in life, it's hard to see the bigger picture. And more difficult to find your way out of whatever challenges you face.

Pulling back helps us see things in a better perspective. During a recent flight I experienced what every flier has experienced - going from miserable weather below the clouds to clear sunny skies above the clouds. A few feet separates misery from sunshine. You can't see the sunshine though from beneath the clouds. Seeing the big picture is required if you want to maintain an improved perspective - a view that knows the sun is shining somewhere.

Finding our way out of misery requires thoughtful planning. Sometimes we might get lucky and things may improve on their own, but that's a dangerous way to live. It's a senseless way to live, too. It's also cowardly.

Part of the planning process involves looking at life from a loftier view. Pull back and see the present misery in context with the rest of your life. Is it really as bad as you think? For some, it may be. I'm thinking of people I know who suffer terminal illnesses. Life is coming to close for them. They're powerless to alter it. However, they're not powerless to deal with it. Their response to sickness is completely within their power to control. They can decide to suffer in misery for whatever time remains - or they can embrace what remains by getting their affairs in order, saying their good-byes and making sure they leave this planet having done what they wanted before leaving.

Misery isn't always solvable. Sometimes we must endure. Quiet desperation is the worst reaction. Instead, we should pull back, see our problems in context of a bigger life, determine what actions we can take that will serve us best, then make up our minds to march forward with determination.

Finding your way out of misery's maze is often overwhelming. Frustration, exhaustion and sadness can pound us. People can forsake us. What remains is our commitment to do our best by behaving wisely.

We do that by acting with purpose and intention. We do not do that by accepting whatever comes our way. We harness the power. Our cities don't rely on electricity generated from luck or chance. We build dams, windmills and other forms of power generation. We know we need power. So we do what is necessary to create it. Were it not for acting with that purpose or intention - we'd have no power! Your life is no different. Do you want darkness in your life? Or, do you want power in your life?

Then dig it out. Start planning your life. Take action to achieve what you want. Don't just take whatever today brings. Create your future by building your todays. Find your way out of the misery and beyond the quiet desperation. Give it all you've got.

Put A Lid On It: Managing Misdirected Anger

2007-01-02T20:41:00.000-06:00

I never saw the movie, but I've seen the real live version. Anger. Frustration. Even rage.

Everybody experiences misdirected frustration and anger from time to time. It's the proverbial "go home and kick the dog" syndrome.

That doesn't make it right. We'd be better served by dealing with the emotions directly with those people or circumstances responsible. Sometimes that's not possible. The circumstances aren't appropriate for dealing with it. The person responsible isn't appropriate to confront (your boss). So, you put a lid on it. Eventually it blows --- somewhere. At somebody. Likely not the person or situation that warrants it though.

This year I'd like to manage situations better so I can direct the appropriate amount of anger toward the appropriate person or situation. I'm not talking about blowing a gasket. I'm not talking about losing control. I'm talking about those times where anger is appropriate. And I'm talking about the proper, mature way to express it.

I wonder how such a thing would work out. What if...?

1. We took a few deep breaths and waited before we reacted?
2. Then what if we were diligent to make sure we had the facts straight - best done by asking great questions?
3. Then what if when we gathered solid information we collected our thoughts by asking ourselves what is it that makes us angry about this situation?
4. Then what if we asked ourselves if that anger is justified?
5. And what if we asked ourselves if we're angry at a person or a circumstance?
6. And what if we asked ourselves if an expression of anger is appropriate - will it help us improve the situation or will it hurt the situation?
7. And what if we gave serious thought to the appropriate expression of our anger before we expressed it?
8. Finally, what if we refuse to keep a lid on our justified anger by always properly expressing it at the appropriate time and place?

Life would be better. For everybody. People wouldn't bottle up resentment and frustration. People would know where they stood with others - and why. Poor situations wouldn't continue - or be repeated. Communication would improve. Understanding, too.

Feelings could be hurt - short term. So what?

Egos could be bruised. Again, so what? Who cares?

Bosses could fire you. Well, now that's a shame, but it just might be worth it. Sometimes a fresh start elsewhere might be just the thing we need. Besides, if you can't properly (that's the key) express appropriate anger - even to your boss - then why work for a person who refuses to allow you to show a negative emotion whenever it's justified? Suppression isn't a rewarding work environment.

Yes, I've talked myself into it. I believe 2007 is the year to give this a try and make it a way of life. It'll require discipline to avoid short circuiting the steps. I know it'll be tough sometimes, but I think I can do it. I'll just work through the steps and maintain composure so I can respond appropriately when the time is right. Maintaining the goal of "improvement" will make it easier. I'll let you know how it turns out.

By the way - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Starting the new year with a discussion about anger may signal the start of something terrible, but I don't think so. Clear communication, improving, growth, trust - they're all worthwhile goals.

I'm In Time Out

2006-12-19T15:58:00.000-06:00

Yes, I Know The Difference

2006-12-17T21:18:00.000-06:00

"You don't know ---- from Shinola!"

Well, I'm hardly THAT stupid. Here's a picture of Shinola. You can get your own picture of the other stuff.

I also know it's time to step away and take a brief break. My shoes are in dire need of Shinola. So I'll be fetching my shine box and using the Shinola while I stop blogging for awhile.

I'll be back when I run out of Shinola. There seems to be a never ending supply of that other stuff.

Incongruity: The Cost Is Trust

2006-12-15T07:07:00.000-06:00

Incongruous - an adjective meaning -
1. out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming: an incongruous effect; incongruous behavior.
2. not harmonious in character; lacking harmony of parts: an incongruous mixture of architectural styles.
3. inconsistent: actions that were incongruous with their professed principles.

Incongruous conduct or things confuse us. We can't understand them. Which is why they're incongruous. The presence of one thing doesn't fit with the presence of something else. The one way sign pointing one direction makes no sense because of the opposing one way sign pointing in the opposite direction.

Then there are other situations with so many confusing elements that we just can't make heads or tails of it. Incongruous overload.

It's true that confusion and incongruity are not exactly the same thing. Incongruity always results in confusion. Not all confusion is caused by incongruity.

These physical circumstances are confusing, but far less frustrating (from my point of view) than the incongruous behavior of people. If I'm looking for a park and see the sign above, I just keep moving. It's not worth the time or effort to sort through the information to see if it applies to me. Maybe I'm abnormal though. But people confuse me even more with their incongruous behavior.

A boy begins dating a girl. The relationship seems to be going along quite nicely. He helps move the relationship forward by continuing to ask her out. She responds with positive signs by accepting his invitations. They seem to have a good time together. In time they even are heard to utter the "L" word to each other. So far, so good. He says all the right things, but she's confused because he's not very attentive. He doesn't greet her with a kiss or any show of affection. He doesn't open the door for her. He does hold her hand. Seemingly little things begin to drive her out of her mind. Why?

He's incongruous. It's confusing. Does he really love her? He says so. But he doesn't act as though he does. She can't live with this incongruity. She breaks up and moves on in search of a relationship that makes sense. He may or may not have a clue about what went wrong. His "get-it-factor" is very low and there's little she can do to change it. She did the right thing by moving on.

Incongruous behavior isn't limited to boys dating girls. We've all experienced this. We're talking with somebody and we think they have invited us somewhere. But we're not sure. They're acting like they're inviting us, but it's just not clear enough. They end the conversation and we're left to wonder if we're supposed to show up or not. Afterwards we're frustrated by our own timidity. Why didn't we just ask them point blank, "Are you asking me if I'll join you?" At the time, we were just too embarrassed to ask. So we left confused. And wondering what the other person is expecting of us. If we show up we risk making fools of ourselves. We pass up a good opportunity to do something cool (maybe) or we risk hurting their feelings if we don't show up. Incongruous situations create stress.

New employees often experience this. I started a job once and when the first payday arrived I was surprised. "Wait a minute, this isn't what I thought I agreed to," I said to myself. So I muster up the courage to ask the boss. After talking in circles he explains he'll take care of it. And walks off. What does that mean? Will he issue me another check? Does he wants this check back? Do I have to wait until the next paycheck? I'm confused. And feeling more like an idiot with every passing moment (mainly for going to work for such a moron). Why didn't I just make him clarify it for me? And does he think I'm asking for more, when I'm only asking for what I thought we agreed to?

The reason we tolerate incongruous behavior is because we don't want to look stupid. We don't want to be confused. It's the same phenomenon you'll find if you're giving instruction to any group. Ask them if they all understand and the odds are high every head will nod, "sure we understand." They may be completely clueless, but they won't let on. They'd rather suffer confusion than embarrassment to publicly admit, "I have no idea what you're saying."

Business people are often incongruous. I'm convinced some are that way intentionally. Others are just pathetic communicators. Some are incongruous thinkers, which leads them to be incongruous communicators.

"Things are going incredibly well," says a business man. On and on the conversation goes. As you listen you realize he's talking of various challenges and hurdles. You begin to wonder, "What is going well?" You listen some more and he's excited about the future. "Things are going to be dynamite," he continues. Then he continues to lament the troubles. Very confusing.

Sadly, I've had far too many conversations like that. Rarely do I stop and say what I'd like. "Listen, what is so stinking incredible? You're complaining left and right. I'm not hearing one thing that leads me to believe things are going well, much less incredible. Why don't you tell me what you're talking about?"

Even more frustrating are the times when you do attempt to find clarification and find it impossible. It's like asking a politician to be more clear. Good luck.

It goes something like this ---

Friend: "Things are great. We're making tons of money."
Me: "Wonderful. How much have you made this month?"
Friend: "We've got more deals coming in than we've ever had. We're turning business down."
Me: "Well, that's a great problem to have. How much will you make this month?"
Friend: "I've got to get 4 deals closed by the end of next week. I just don't have enough time to handle it all."
Me: "You certainly don't want to keep turning down business, do you? How much business will you close by the end of the month?"
Friend: "Oh, we want to be picky so turning down some business isn't problematic. It's just like the flood gates have opened."
Me: "How much money would this flood represent for you this month?"

On and on it goes. Never a clear answer. Never a clear statement. Confusion leads to mistrust. Is he really making any money at all? Is he doing well or just trying to make me think he's doing well? He's incongruous and I'm distrustful. It's the end result of almost all incongruous behavior.

If I can't resolve the messages you send, I'm not trusting you. It's as simple as that.

If I behave in ways that are impossible for you to resolve, or make sense of - then you're an idiot if you trust me. Trust requires clear communication - body language, words, tone, actions and all the rest of those things we use to "speak" to one another.

Speaking your mind is vital. Asking important, even seemingly embarrassing questions is a must. Each of us must find clarity.

Stop at nothing to get the clarity you need. Being confused is not a long-term option. Short-term confusion is bad enough, but keep your confusion as short as possible. Your motto when it comes to confusion must be, "Be brief." Keep it as brief as possible. Take charge yourself. Do not rely on the other person to provide clarity without your prodding. Be large and in charge to conquer confusion.

Eliminate incongruous situations by demanding clarity - and behavior that is consistent with the message (or messages that are consistent with behavior). Abused wives would be better served if they left the husband who says he loves her after he's beaten her half to death. Employees would be better off if they left jobs where bosses promise them better tomorrows while making all their todays as miserable as possible. Incongruous situations take a heavy toll on all our lives because when trust is lost, or cannot be established, we're left with nothing!

"The risk of insult is the price of clarity." -Roy H. Williams

"The risk of distrust is the price of incongruity." - Leonard Klaatu

Lamar Hunt Dies at 74

2006-12-14T08:04:00.000-06:00

He was the youngest son of legendary Texas oilman, H.L. Hunt. Lamar Hunt had been battling prostrate cancer for some time. He died last night at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.

Among his many sports related accomplishment was the naming of the SuperBowl. The World Championship Game was renamed SuperBowl by Lamar after watching his kids play with a SuperBall.

By all accounts he was gracious and humble. He owned 11% of the Chicago Bulls yet never visited the Bulls' locker room, or met Michael Jordan. He attended all their games during their championship run.

He's in 3 hall of fames for professional sports: soccer, tennis and football. Pretty incredible feat.

Read more about him in the Dallas Morning News.

Dallas Cowboys Reveal New Stadium Design

2006-12-13T14:06:00.000-06:00

Last night, with the help of Bob Costas, the Dallas Cowboys unveiled the new stadium design. One billion dollars worth of cool. Many cool features, among them a 60 yard wide screen suspended over the field facing both sides. Sixty yards! Yes, folks. Things ARE bigger in Texas.

Take a virtual tour.

Actor Peter Boyle Dies at 71

2006-12-13T11:01:00.000-06:00

The veteran character actor died Tuesday evening in New York after a long battle with multiple myeloma and heart disease. Best known as Raymond's dad, Frank, in "Everybody Loves Raymond," Boyle was in many movies including Taxi Driver and Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. Click here for more.

Read the New York Times report here.

Surface Tension: What's Your Breaking Point?

2006-12-13T07:29:00.000-06:00

Surface tension is explained by hyperphysics as an effect within the surface layer of a liquid that causes that layer to behave as an elastic sheet. It's the magic that allows us to fill a glass of water above the rim of the glass without spilling over, if we're very careful. It's the same principle that allows us to put a needle or paperclip on top of the water (as pictured above).

This bug understands that it works. I doubt the bug understands how.

Kids are fascinated with magic of this sort. We all learned the cool experiments we could perform back in junior high, or earlier. Maybe schools need to do more of this real world magic stuff to engage students in the pursuit of the hard sciences. But I digress.

Surface tension crawled to the front of my mind the other day when I began to pour a soft drink into a glass and as the foam rose to the top it slowly rose well above the rim of the glass. I was careful and it never overflowed. Surface tension. I hadn't thought of it for a very long time.

At the time I was pouring the soft drink I was engaged in thoughtful consideration of some life issues (I'm always engaged in thoughtful consideration of life issues). Tension is often part of life. That fine line where the liquid reaches a point where it can remained contained or spill over became a focal point of my thoughts for the next few days.

There are many elements of surface tension, but my focus fell to that one aspect - the point of containment vs. the point of spillage. I began to realize we may all have our point. Some call it the breaking point. That's as good a label as any. And it appropriately describes what happens.

The liquid, in my case - Diet Dr. Pepper, either reaches a point where it breaks loose and spills over, or it doesn't. I'm not a scientist. I don't know where that point is. I just know I kept pouring slowly hoping to avoid that breaking point. Yet I was captivated with pushing the level higher - to see how high it might go. Eventually, I ran out of Diet Dr. Pepper and fortunately, the breaking point was never found. But if my bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper had been larger, would I have discovered the breaking point? Or, would I have stopped? Don't know.

Surface tension happens in life. We pour (or push) the proverbial envelope to see just far things will go before they give way. What is it that attracts us to that edge? Why do we want to see surface tension in action?

Sometimes we're not the one doing the pouring. It can be a boss or some other person in our life who is pouring. And we aren't in control of the forces that cause surface tension, but we are in control of surface tension to the degree that we can determine the breaking point.

Are we fascinated with surface tension or are we more fascinated with seeing how far we can push it before reaching the breaking point? Maybe we're captivated by seeing how long we hang on without breaking.

My surface tension is reaching the breaking point in some areas of life. And that's probably a good thing. In fact, I know it is. The energy expended to hang on is sometimes better spent spilling over. Being contained isn't always best.

Will today be the day I spill over? I don't know. Surface tension is still pretty strong, but weakening. Other forces are always at work. As I weigh the pros and cons of hanging on or spilling over - I hope to have wisdom to know when the point has come to let go and spill over. It's coming. I'm watching it carefully.

Todd Dodge: From Southlake Carroll to UNT

2006-12-12T08:06:00.000-06:00

Tonight at 7pm the Athletic Director at The University of North Texas is going to introduce Todd Dodge as the new head football coach. Word has been buzzing about town all day about this pending announcement.

Todd Dodge is the local famous high school football coach at Southlake-Carroll. He is Mr. Friday Night Lights in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Going from a 5A high school program to the head job of an NCAA Div. 1A program, albeit UNT, is quite a leap.

Here's what dragonstuffonline has to say about Dodge:

"Todd Dodge became head coach of the Carroll Dragons in 2000 after a successful collegiate career at the University of Texas, serving as Offensive Coordinator at North Texas, and head coaching stints at Cameron Yoe, Carrolton Newman-Smith, and Keller Fossil Ridge. Overcoming an extremely difficult pre-season schedule, Todd led his initial team, and the last to call old Dragon Stadium home, to a 9-5 record, a district championship, and advanced to the regional finals. In 2002, he coached the Dragons to a State Championship in their first year in Class 5-A. In 2004, the Dragons took the State Championship again and were recognized as the National High School Champions by USA Today."

I'm sure folks over in Southlake are mourning the departure of their coach, but he's got a semi-final game to coach this Saturday against the Allen, Texas (a northern suburb of Dallas) Eagles. Kickoff is scheduled for 1pm at Texas Stadium.

Will Dodge bring his coaching genius to Denton? Will he recruit his son, who is the quarterback of Southlake-Carroll (and senior next year)? Time will tell.

I think it was a great move by UNT to get a local guy with a solid reputation. Now speculation is that Mr. Bomar (OU ex-bad boy) may migrate up to Denton to play for coach Dodge. It's way too early to see who will come play, but I'd guess many more will head toward Denton with him at the helm.

Who could blame him? He can stay in Southlake where his son will be a senior at Southlake-Carroll and where his daughter (now a middle schooler) may be able to graduate high school. He can get a big pay raise. He can take along some of his assistant coaches and help them climb the ladder to greater coaching success. He can help the administration at Southlake figure out who his successor should be - after all, he's got a vested interest to have the best coach possible for his son's final year of high school. It all makes pretty solid sense really. Especially if they pay in excess of $500,000 (speculation is it will be somewhere around that number, while others are speculating it will be half that - who knows?). I say, "Good move." Everybody wins (well, maybe not Southlake-Carroll, but I'll bet they keep the mojo rolling forward with whoever replaces Dodge).

Click here for an update.

Bob Gainey, A Man of Sorrows

2006-12-11T15:52:00.000-06:00

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) - A daughter of hockey great Bob Gainey was still missing Monday after she was washed overboard in the Atlantic during a storm while working on a sailing ship bound for the Caribbean.

A Canadian C-130 Hercules has joined the search for Laura Gainey, who was thrown from the 180-foot boat Friday night and was not wearing a lifejacket. The search aircraft relieved an American plane that had been scouring the ocean for the 25-year-old daughter of the Montreal Candiens' general manager.

Matthew Brooks, a civilian search and rescue specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard, said there was still no sign of her.

She was aboard the Picton Castle, a training vessel, when a wave tossed her into the sea about 475 miles southeast of Cape Cod, Mass. The crew dropped radar deflectors and lighted buoys in the water when they realized she was missing.

Brooks said U.S. air rescuers used infrared night-vision goggles to search the dark waters late Sunday. American and Canadian search aircraft later dropped data buoys in the area.

"They talk to us via satellite, and they send us positions on the hour," Brooks said. "This is the best way to tell us how the water is moving."

Gainey was a good swimmer and was wearing warm protective clothing. She has been in the water about 60 waters, and the U.S. Coast Guard says life-threatening hypothermia ordinarily sets in after 36 hours.

With the weather improving Monday, two merchant vessels and the sailing ship remained in the area and a Hercules from North Carolina was expected to join the search this afternoon.

Gainey climbed aboard the square-rigged, three-masted ship last spring in Cape Town, South Africa. The ship's Web site shows a photo of her in a swim suit and laughing.

Dan Moreland, the ship's senior captain, said from Lunenburg she had become a "well-loved," enthusiastic volunteer on the vessel. He described the situation as "completely devastating for everybody" on the boat. The ship is mainly used to provide adventurous holidays for anyone over 18.

The Canadiens said assistant general manager Pierre Gauthier will handle Bob Gainey's responsibilities for now. Gainey also holds the title of executive vice president.

A member of the hockey Hall of Fame, Gainey won five Stanley Cups with Montreal during a 16-year career from 1973-89. He also won a championship as general manager of the Dallas Stars in 1999. His wife, Cathy, died of brain cancer in 1995 at 39.

Leonard's observations...
When the Dallas Stars first arrived in Texas I went to their practice facility to watch them practice. Bob Gainey was the coach. He skated and performed the drills with the players. He was fit - and still is. You could easily see the hall of fame skills that only years earlier had won him Lord Stanley's Cup 5 times as a player for Montreal.

Some years later I was fortunate to sit at a table with him during a Stars luncheon. He was gracious and friendly in conversation volunteering to sign a puck for me. He's a few years older than me, but I recall thinking of how fit he was - and I recall thinking of the sadness he felt in losing his wife while she was still quite young.

Typically Canadian, Gainey never said much and publicly he was to the point and all about hockey. Private to a fault, he displayed one of the most stoic demeanors I'd seen. I'm sad for him today. And thankful that all is as well with me, and my family, as it is. I'm thinking of Bob Gainey and wishing him the very best.

How 'Bout Them Cowboys

2006-12-11T08:03:00.000-06:00

New Orleans Saints 42, Dallas Cowboys 17. Guh!

The student, Saints coach Sean Payton, shakes hands with the teacher, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. Bill's face is priceless. Sean kicked his former boss just as hard as he could. Of course, Bill will blame everybody except himself. He's a master at not taking responsibility.

Bring on Vick and the Falcons...

Scottish School Principal: My Hero of the Day

2006-12-11T07:49:00.000-06:00

Here's the story.

Ladainian Tomlinson = Surefire MVP

2006-12-10T18:25:00.000-06:00

Today's score: San Diego 48, Denver 20. And LT got his 29th single season touchdown. A single season NFL record - and there are 3 more games remaining before we get to the playoffs. So what if the old timers had only 14 games to reach their records. LT did it in 13. Nuff said.

My only question is, "Where were the major college football programs when he got recruited by TCU?"

He's reputed to be a fitness freak with a work ethic to make a coal miner blush. It shows. But then there's that speed. Speed. Speed. Speed.

Mazdaspeed 3: The Production Date Is Set For My Car

2006-12-08T12:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was informed that my future car is scheduled to be built on Wednesday, December 20th. At least it's not being built on a Friday. I hope the assembly line is happy and jolly that day. The delivery timetable is somewhere around mid-January 2007.

It's going to be the Grand Touring model with HID headlights, etc. No navigation though. Should be fun. Guess I'll have to clean out the garage now so I can get one car in there. It's pitiful to have a 2-car garage that won't accommodate even 1 car. Too much stuff. I smell a Spring Cleaning Sale coming for April 2007.

Mine will not be red. And it has nothing to do with Santa or the holidays.

Ho, ho, hum. Or I should say, "Zoom, zoom, zoom."

iPOD's Don't Have To Cause Hearing Loss

2006-12-08T07:42:00.000-06:00

You've heard about it. Maybe you've read about it. The fact is, there is hearing loss caused by the high volume of MP3 devices of which the Apple iPOD is KING. There is scientific proof. You don't have to take my word for it.

Visit an audiologist - one of those places that fits people for hearing aids. Have a mold made of your inner ear canal. Then get forms made to fit over your ear bud headphones. That will keep ambient noise out of your ear buds and allow you to hear music clearly at much lower volume levels. A less expensive, but less effective alternative is to purchase a pair of noise isolation (not the same as noise reduction) ear buds that fit snugly in your ear. These keep outside noise from causing you to drive up the volume of your iPOD.

I'm saving my money for some Ultimate Ears. Some claim the size of my ears means I already have ultimate ears.

The Fall of Something, The Rise of Something Else

2006-12-08T07:02:00.000-06:00

The sun sets.

The sun rises.

Hard to tell the difference, isn't it?

Sometimes the falling of one thing and the rising of something else is hard to distinguish. Maybe it's because they can happen simultaneously. When the sun sets in one location, it rises in another. That happens when such a magnificent object as the sun remains stationary while the earth orbits. It also happens with passions, circumstances and other things in life.

Rarely, in my life have I experienced the loss of passion or desire toward one enterprise or endeavor without the new passion or desire toward a different enterprise or endeavor. Passion isn't lost. It's redirected.

If "something else" is an improvement over "something," then it's smart to let something fall and give way to something else. This process should probably get more attention in all of our lives. Especially, if we want to make our tomorrows better than our yesterdays.

Start destroying something so you can clear the way for something else - something better.

"Doing Time" One Year At A Time

2006-12-07T07:11:00.000-06:00

Another year is almost gone. One year. I'm mildly fascinated as I stare at the wall calendar I use to mark off the days of the year. There are 24 days left for me to mark off. Then 2006 will be complete. Or will it?

One year. 365 days.

What's been accomplished?
What goals have been achieved?
What progress has been made?

A longer list may be the negative equivalents. What hasn't been done? What goals weren't met? What progress wasn't made? Sadly, that list would be long. Too long.

Marking time by the year gives all of us the reason to look back and reflect. Why we don't do it more often? I don't know. We should.

In addition to reflection, we should spend more time pondering the future - 2007. We should have done that in 2005 so 2006 might have been better. But, we didn't. I didn't. Like the masses, I put one foot in front of the other and simply "did my time." In too many areas of life.

I've read that 3% of the population writes down their goals. Not sure how anybody knows that figure, but let's roll with it and assume it's accurate. I'm among that 3%. I write down my goals. "Goals are dreams with a deadline." Somebody smarter than me said that. I don't know who, but I believe it. I even write down deadlines on most goals. My personal curse isn't failing to write down the goals.

Focus failure is my curse. Too many goals is my other curse. I am learning - hopefully, not too late - that I need to narrow down my goals. In fact, as I enter the final stage of 2006 I'm working almost daily on having no more than 3 goals for 2007. That's a post for another day though - goal setting.

I know I don't want to merely do time in 2007. That is not the plan.

On Being Pointless

2006-12-06T07:09:00.000-06:00

Some things are pointless. And it's okay.

High Revenues For Losers

2006-12-05T07:54:00.000-06:00

Forbes released the top ten money making NCAA football programs - with losing records (based on 2005 season). The rankings are based on dollars per win. Here they are:

1. Syracuse - $19 million. 1 - 10. This means they "earned" $19M for one win. Kudos to the Orangemen.

2. University of Washington - $31.7 million. 2 - 9. They only earned $15.85M for each victory.

3. University of Illinois - $19 million. 2 - 9.

4. Duke - $8 million. 1 - 10. Duke has football?

5. University of Kentucky - $19.8 million. 3 - 8.

6. University of Mississippi - $16.6 million. 3 - 8.

7. University of Arizona - $15.4 million. 3 - 8.

8. Mississippi State - $12.7 million. 3 - 8.

9. Oklahoma State University - $16.9 million. 4 - 7.

10. University of Indiana - $15.4 million. 4 - 7.

Sometimes it pays to lose.

Caring Less, An Objective

2006-12-05T07:47:00.000-06:00

This chart came from a guy named Kevin McLeod. I ran across it some time back and found it insightful. No, it's not an original thought about caring less, but it's an "in yo' face" illustration.

There are many things I'm caring less and less about. I hope to reach ZERO soon on a few of them.

The challenge is to care less about the right things.

Age rearranges priorities for most people. In a good way.

Very few young people are concerned with healthy habits. They eat garbage, don't get enough sleep, party hard (some of them), and take stupid chances. Age naturally changes most of that - at least it does if maturity ever arrives.

But there are plenty of fat, financially successful businessmen. Health is not an issue for them. They could care less about becoming more healthy. Their bodies could care less about enduring the abuse.

Many young people are busy chasing dreams. Ambition is high. And that's as it should be I think. We all want to make our way in the world, figure out a few things, find the love of our life, establish our career and begin earning our own wealth (no matter limited it may be).

Today's young people may have more balance than some prior generations. They want what they want and most are unwilling to compromise for a career. Others can judge that. I merely observe it as a distinct difference from my generation who chased ambitions of career pretty hard. Some still do, but most of the 20-30 somethings I know want more than a good career. There are other things in their life they will not sacrifice. My generation was much less that way.

Age dampens career ambitions. Maybe it's because time is running out and older folks feel the odds of success are lessened. Maybe it's because they lack the mental and physical energy for the fight required to reach success. Maybe it's because other things have shoved career ambitions to the back room. For most, people become more important than chasing things - and the pursuit of things seem to drive many careers.

Leaning toward wisdom sometimes demands we care less about some things - unimportant things, or things without lasting value. The game of business is still as fun as it ever was. Money keeps score - and we happen to need it for daily life. Age has brought about the need to get relief from serfdom - to be free to chase what you want, when you want, how you want. Serfdom is what I'm caring less and less about, among other things.

After 33 Years The Song Remains The Same

2006-12-04T07:33:00.000-06:00

Led Zepplin's "Houses of the Holy" was released in March, 1973. My high school buddies and I listened to it all that summer and well into the fall of 1973. That same year that little ol' band from Texas released, "Tres Hombres." ZZ Top 8-tracks were always within reach from that point forward. Also, in March of '73 Pink Floyd released, "Dark Side of the Moon." No three releases capture my teenage years quite like these three.

Thirty three years is a long time, but this morning while working and listening to the radio I realized that the songs of these three records are still being played on the radio somewhere every single day. I heard tracks from all 3 early today. In 1973 we didn't think in terms of "classic." Today, all three are classics.

We were 16 years old in 1973. We had new driver's licenses. Some of us had cars. Cars and music were major players in our life, just as they are in the life of all teenagers. In 1973 cruising the streets in our Pontiac GTO's, Chevy Chevelle's and Dodge Chargers listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Pink Floyd we weren't terribly concerned with what middle age would look like, much less what it might sound like. Guess what? It sounds the same.

Do these records have lasting power because their are so many of us - baby boomers? Do they still remain viable because they're that good? I suspect it's a bit of both. There are tons of us middle age folks and this music is that good. Did we know it at the time? Sure, we knew it was great stuff. While we listened to Ozzy and saw him bite the heads off of birds in concert - Black Sabbath wasn't in the same pack as Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Pink Floyd. We knew these bands were something special. They were to us. At that time.

Nobody looked beyond high school. College seemed miles and miles away. Few of us thought of it much. Our focus was much shorter term - like tonight, or the weekend. I doubt any of us had a calendar. None of us had a "to do list." And to plan beyond the weekend was considered insanity. Who could possibly see that far?

I'm not 16 any more. But I remember it vividly, thanks in part to the music that dominated our lives. Rarely does a day go by that I don't hear some song from that era of my life. It seemed only natural that when I had kids of my own - they listened to the same stuff that I grew up listening to (along with music of their own era).

I'm still a big fan of music. Recently, I've gone to see some performers who are quite young, but exceptionally talented. Jamie Cullum is 26 and as talented as anybody I've ever seen. The Barenaked Ladies are incredible, but when I was listening to Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Dusty Hill "how, how, how" none of them was yet born. There are some great musicians chasing the equator today, but...

In 1976 Led Zeppelin released a live record, "The Song Remains The Same." Sure enough, it does.

Strategic Thinking: Part Three

2006-12-04T07:12:00.000-06:00

The thoughtful consideration of alternatives, including their consequences, is the focal point of strategic thinking. Each concern, whether it's a threat or an opportunity, has multiple choices of action available. We can do one thing, or another, or yet another. Some concerns have many choices. Others have few. Strategic thinkers find a way to implement the wisest choice. And the way they seek that makes them strategic thinkers.

The method does matter. Rather than flipping a coin, tossing a dart at a decision board, or some other methodology - strategic thinkers use the process we've discussed. They have structured thought in their approach. They carefully consider the choices by looking at a longer view. Simply put, they're not impulsive or flippant about the important decisions of life.

I've managed to boil down the key to being a strategic thinker:

Strategic thinkers answer the question, "What if _______?

It may be impossible to calculate the percentage of the people who approach concerns without ever considering, "What if _______?" The majority may fall into this group. It sometimes seems that way.

There is yet another group who ask the question, "What if _________?" - but they don't work through to an answer. What if I were to take that job? What if I were to buy that car? Asking is better than not asking, but without an answer it accomplishes nothing. I suspect this population is large.

Lastly, are the strategic thinkers who carefully ask and even more carefully answer, "What if ______?" They look beyond the obvious. They look beyond the short-term advantages, or consequences. They examine the possibilities of best case scenario, but only if worst case scenarios are also considered. And that may be the real bottom line to successful strategic thinking: the consideration of a greater question, "What's the worst thing that could happen?"

Should I buy the car? What's the worst thing that could happen? Perhaps it could wreck my credit because I might not be able to afford it. I might find myself struggling with money just so I can drive it. I might have to sacrifice other things. Am I willing to give up other things so I can drive that car? On and on the thought process goes - until a level of confidence is found so a wise decision can be made.

So many people find themselves unexpectedly in that worst case scenario. They never considered the prospect of the worst case scenario. Failure was never considered. Being optimistic is great. Being foolish is not. Odds might be favorable, but failure is still usually quite possible. Should that fear paralyze us. Of course not, but we can still weigh the possibilities as we work out a solution.

Most behaviors are improved with repetition. Recently, I read how Howard Roberts, a blues/jazz guitar master, said he reached his level of accomplishment. Practice doesn't make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect. We've all heard that, but Roberts put it simpler terms. Play the notes perfectly every time. Forget how fast you're playing. Just play each note as perfectly as possible. Don't repeat incorrect playing. Do it right every time, all the time. The result will be faster improvement than can occur by just playing faster so you can get the tempo of a song right.

Solving problems. Thinking clearly. They work the same way. Take your time. Don't botch the process. Stick with the steps. Work through it. Ask and answer the critical questions. Think long term. Don't con yourself into thinking failure isn't possible. It is. Give it respect and consider how things might work out if failure occurs. Aim for success, but not blindly.

Kirk Kerkorian: Billionaires Are Interesting

2006-12-01T14:17:00.000-06:00

Kirk Kerkorian is wealthy with an estimated worth of $9 billion. Beginning last week he began to divest himself of General Motors stock. Reports said he sold 14 million shares last week taking his stake from 9.9% to 7.4%. Yesterday it was reported that another 14 million shares were being sold taking his stake down further to 4.95%. Now, today it's reported that he's selling his remaining 28 million shares for $800 million. He's done with GM.

Kerkorian is a fascinating character. Not much firsthand information is available about him because he refuses interviews. He's not written about in books, although business magazines track his activities. But finding out more about the man requires some research.

It's commonly known that in 1947 he bought a little charter airline that flew between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He had been a pilot in War World II. Where he got the money to buy the airline (reportedly $60,000), I don't know. But that original investment brought him his first real wealth. He sold the airline in 1968 for over $100 million. And he was off to the races toward billionaire status.

Las Vegas is where he made big money. He purchased some dirt in Vegas for $5 million. It's now where the Las Vegas Hilton resides.

In 1973 he bought MGM, the movie studio. He also opened the MGM Grand Hotels in Vegas and Reno. In 1986 he sold them for $594 million.

Las Vegas has been very good to Mr. Kerkorian. However, for reasons I don't know he decided to exert influence on GM - at least he tried. He invested hundreds of millions of dollars, got a crony on the board, tried to fascilitate a deal with French car maker Renault - but failed all the way around to change the course of GM.

Now, it appears he's switching his interest from GM back to MGM. Who could blame him?

Characters like Kerkorian intrigue me. Not because of their extreme wealth - not entirely. Their beginnings fascinate me. What choices did they make that led to their enormous wealth? Upon even casual examination it's easy to see how a single event could have turned out differently and they would not be where they currently reside. Yet, I suppose that could be said of all of us.

I'm also interested in their drive to take that first flow of cash (however large or small it may be) and create something even larger - in Kerkorian's case MUCH larger. Back in 1968 $104 million (what he got for his airline company) was an incredible amount of money. Why didn't he just relax and kick it easy for the rest of his life? In 1968 he was 51 years old. Who could have blamed him for sitting on his fortune and doing nothing? Today, he is 89. And still making the news with his enormous investments.

I admire the drive - no matter the reason. I don't envy the man or his life, or his money (well, maybe slightly). I look at his face and wonder what problems have plagued him. Something tells me the life of this billionaire isn't completely smooth, tranquil and happy. Something tells me guys like him may never find happiness. I could be wrong though. I'm still waiting to make my first fortune.

Cartoon Greatness! Thanks To Jim and Jerry

2006-11-30T14:53:00.001-06:00

Cold Hits Like A Wet Blanket

2006-11-30T08:15:00.000-06:00

Today's Dallas Morning News ran that headline on page one, "Cold Hits Like A Wet Blanket."

Yesterday's temperature was in the upper 70's. Within the span of about 5 minutes, while driving home from work last night, it dropped over 30 degrees. It's been dropping ever since. Right now it's slightly below freezing and still dropping.

By the way, I realize those blankets aren't yet wet, but they could be. Fast. If needed.

Admittedly, it is a bit odd for the temperature to be in the upper 70's one day and in the low 20's the next. But such is life around here today.

That wet blanket phrase sure gets used a lot so I wondered from whence it came. Here's the answer according to the Online Etymology Dictionary:

Wet blanket (1830) is from the notion of a person who throws a damper on social situations like a wet blanket smothers a fire.

Today, our wet blanket isn't a person. It's the weather. It is wet. And cold. And the sleet/ice/snow are expected any time. By the way, projectile vomiting will ensue the next time I hear somebody use the phrase, "winter blast."

Put Verbs In Your Sentences

2006-11-30T06:43:00.000-06:00

Do more.
Take action.
Don't just use verbs in your speech or thoughts.
Put verbs to work in your life.

Marking Time

2006-11-29T07:53:00.000-06:00

Every day I go to a calendar hanging nearby and cross off the day. Marking time.

One writer (I don't recall who) wrote about the advent of digital watches and clocks. He said digital time has only the present. No past. No future. It flashes only the time at the moment. The old analog face watches showed us there was a past and there will be a future. I thought it was an interesting observation at the time (and that was well over 15 years ago). Whether digital or analog - we all mark time.

We track dates of birth, wedding anniversaries, dates of death, dates of employment, the age of our cars. We have clocks in every room. We have watches on our wrists (some on their fingers in those funky ring watches - I suppose a few even exist in pockets). Our cell phones have clocks and calendars. So do our computers. As I look around from where I am right at this moment I see a watch on my wrist, a time appears in the upper right hand screen of my computer, another clock appears in the lower right hand of another computer sitting on my desk, a calendar hangs on the wall, another calendar sits on the desk, another digital clock displays the time/date/day of the week/temperature and finally, another digital clock shows the current time. Five clocks. Three calendars. All within reach of my eyes.

But each day I go to a wall calendar in another room and cross off the day. What's more, I do this at the beginning, not the end, of each day. It's as though I want to get it over with. And I suppose in many ways, I do. Toward what end? I'm not sure.

Well, that's not entirely accurate. I do know toward what end. Independence. Freedom. Spending time with those I choose, rather than those imposed on me by circumstance. Chasing new dreams. Creating new realities.

So, daily I mark time as I march toward a new beginning. It's coming. How soon? Not soon enough, but then again, soon enough will be soon enough. Every beginning requires the end of something. That's why I mark time.

Strategic Thinking: Part Two

2006-11-29T07:05:00.000-06:00

Let's review the process:

1. Something concerns you. Some challenge, hurdle, obstacle, opportunity, chance...
2. You frame the concern. You begin the process of considering the concern.
3. You consider possible solutions to the concern. You think of a possible course of action.
4. You consider the possible consequences to the various choices of action. You look into the future to see what might happen if you act one way versus another.
5. You decide on the best course of action. You take it. And then you reflect on it.

Are all people able to comprehend this process?
Can this process be mastered by everybody?

I'm intrigued with the notion that some people simply fail to implement this process because they don't see it. This process is either impossible or difficult for them to fully understand. They may not see the value of it, or they may not understand how to make it happen in their life.

Everybody has things that concern them. Surely that's universal. That means everybody should make it through the first step.

Now we come to step number 2. This is where I see things getting rocky for some people. They don't frame the concern. They refuse to consider the concern. You've heard people say, "I'd rather not think about it." Maybe you've heard yourself say that, but I hope not. This is a sheer refusal to progress toward step two. Any refusal to go to step two is sure to derail any hopes of successful strategic thinking.

But, assuming you've engaged in step 2 you're now faced with thinking of possible solutions. That is, you begin to consider the possible actions you might take. What are the various choices you've got?

Again, I know people who refuse to engage in this step. Some people make up their mind without serious consideration. They go from step 1 to step 5 (except their action isn't always the best and they'll rarely reflect). They simply jump from concern to action. This doesn't often work out well.

Step four is critical. Perhaps this step kills more wisdom than any other. People are often unable to project the future results if they fail to consider the positive and negative outcomes of their available choices. Wise people can see the future - or the prospect of what the future might be. That's an enormous contribution to their wisdom. The foolish usually trudge forward never stopping to consider what might result. I guess they just hope things work out. It would explain their reaction when things don't work out. "I'm just not lucky." "I'm just cursed." "See, things never work out for me."

This step, step four, might be better considered as the "what if" step. What if I take this course of action? What if I take this other course? Answer the question as fully as you can. Nobody expects you to be a soothsayer, but you can surely predict some possible outcomes. That's what must be considered so you'll know which direction is more worthwhile.

Step 5 is only possible because of the prior steps. Strategic thinking isn't merely being quick to act. Some confuse that with being proactive or decisive. No, it's foolish. Nothing more. While it's possible to compress these steps into short time periods, each step is crucial to success. You can't skip a step any more than you can skip an ingredient in a recipe - you'll mess up if you do.

Step five comes only after weighing the options and carefully considering the risks and rewards of each choice. Some risks are minimal and rewards are clearly high - easy choice. Other risks are high, but rewards are equally high. Tougher choice. I'm not saying every concern (a concern can be a threat or an opportunity) requires hours or days of meditation. Some are no-brainers, but still the process must be followed. Strategic thinkers always apply the process - even if the process takes mere minutes for smaller choices. Non-strategic thinkers never apply the process. They always skip steps, driven by their first gut desire (I suppose; I'm not really certain what drives them to make the choices they make).

Strategic Thinking: Part One

2006-11-28T07:49:00.000-06:00

stra·te·gic
adj.

Of or relating to strategy.
1. Important or essential in relation to a plan of action: a strategic withdrawal.
2. Essential to the effective conduct of war: strategic materials.
3. Highly important to an intended objective: The staff discussed strategic marketing factors.
Intended to destroy the military potential of an enemy: strategic bombing.

think·ing
n.

The act or practice of one that thinks; thought.
A way of reasoning; judgment: To my thinking, this is not a good idea.

adj.

Characterized by thought or thoughtfulness; rational: We are thinking animals.

Recent events have led me to wonder, "Is everybody capable of strategic thinking?" Unless mental capacity is diminished, can every person carefully consider threats and opportunities --- then make a sound assessment of the consequences of various courses of action so they can reach a wise conclusion, and then get themselves into gear so they can begin to act on that conclusion?

I'm not sure. While I want to think everybody is capable of that skill, I am convinced some are unable or unwilling to become accomplished strategic thinkers. Can study and practice help? One would think so. And hope so.

As you face today's challenges consider how skillful you are at strategic thinking.

Can you do better?
What is required for you to improve this crucial skill?

Wisdom is impossible without this skill.

Words to ponder:
solution
conjecture
consequence
action
reflection

Texas High School Football: THE Game

2006-11-22T15:43:00.000-06:00

The USA Today Game of the week: Friday, No. 16 Euless (Texas) Trinity plays No. 5 Southlake Carroll in the Class 5A, Division I Area playoff game at Texas Stadium in Irving, 1pm. Trinity is the defending Division I champion, with Carroll having won the last two in Division II before moving this season. Both teams are 11-0.

The Dallas Morning News expects the crowd to exceed 40,000. I plan to be among them. It should be spectacular.

Here's a video tribute to the two teams.

Here's one of many articles published by The Dallas Morning News.

Update - Saturday morning
Southlake 22 vs. Trinity 21 - The game was excellent. Both teams deserve the praise they get. Sadly, the season had to end for one of them. Traffic to and from the stadium was ridiculously heavy. The crowd exceeded 46,000. It was the second largest at Texas Stadium for a high-school playoff game.

43th Anniversary of the Death of a President

2006-11-22T07:01:00.000-06:00

Forty three ago today I was sitting in Mrs. Arnold's first grade class when news reached us that President Kennedy, while on a trip to Dallas, had been assassinated. We all went to the windows of our second story classroom which faced the front of the school where the flag pole stood. We watched, not fully understanding what was happening, as the flag was lowered to half mast.

Robert Altman Dies at 81

2006-11-21T07:34:00.000-06:00

Robert Altman, famed director of the 1970 smash movie - MASH, died last night at the age of 81. Most recently he directed "Prairie Home Companion."

A $100 Difference

2006-11-21T05:49:00.000-06:00

I realize $100 can seem like a lot of money to some people. Under certain circumstances it seems like a lot of money to anybody. But for most Americans $100 isn't a large sum.

Yesterday in the Dallas Morning News there was a story about immigrants from South America who come to America for higher wages. The headline of the article was, "They Come To Work - And To Send Money Home."

The article sadly told of families who are split apart when the husband/father pays an outrageous amount ($6000 or more) to smugglers who bring them into America where they can work for meatpacking plants earning $10-13 an hour. Through back busting work they're able to send hundreds of dollars home each month where their wives try to hold the families together and where loan sharks get a monthly interest rate of 10% (for loaning them the smuggling money). Impoverished isn't a term that does justice to their condition. It's a sad story of hopelessness. A story of resolve to do whatever can be done to escape the poverty of home.

This news story reminded of a time in my distant past when $100 would have made a difference in my life. ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Hard to imagine that $100 would really affect the life of anybody, but I've been there. And there are millions of people across the planet whose lives would be affected by much less than $100.

Entering this Thanksgiving week I realize how blessed I am - as are most of the people I know. It's good to be reminded of a time when $100 would have made a positive difference. It's good to realize how thankful I should be to have a healthy family, good friends and other valuable people in my life.

Making a difference often involves money, but lives can always be affected without it. I think of the lives I touch in the course in a normal day and wonder what positive difference am I making? Today, I hope to do better by making a difference worth more than $100.

On Being Tired...

2006-11-20T07:34:00.000-06:00

I am tired.

For no good reason, but I'm still tired.

Very tired.

I'd like to climb into my bed, get between my flannel sheets and call it a day - for about three days. (Can you call it a day for more than a single day?)

But, alas - there is too much to do. Too many things require my attention. Too many tugs on my schedule. Too many impositions. Too many distractions. Too many or too much of everything.

I smell a breakdown coming - one that will require about three days of bed rest. Perhaps it's time for me to hibernate.

Friendship: "Who Expects You To Be Somebody?"

2006-11-18T08:05:00.000-06:00

Tom Rath worked for The Gallop Organization and now heads up Gallup's Workplace Research and Leadership Consulting. He wrote "Vital Friends: The People You Can't Afford To Live Without."

At the beginning of the book Rath recounts a project in 1991 named "Project Recovery." It involved Rath interviewing many homeless people to find out what circumstances had led them to this condition - and to find those who recovered by finding their way back into productive society. The goal was to figure out why some were able to recover and some were not.

Among the things Rath discovered - the homeless were primarily "friendshipless." Nobody expected them to be somebody. Nobody expected anything from them anymore - and they delivered on that expectation. Nobody in their life resulted in nothing in their life. No home, no job, no reliable food supply, no nothing!

Rath observes how great attention and focus is placed on ME. That is, we go to school to improve ME. We read about what WE can do to become better. Self-improvement, he argues, has little to do with learning how to develop productive friendships and relationships.

The first line of the book is noteworthy: "The energy between two people is what creates great marriages, families, teams and organizations."

Sitting down before a homeless man - a man who two decades earlier had been an employed mechanical engineer with a wife, two kids, a house and two cars - Rath asked how he had come to be homeless. As his story is told you realize his life spiraled out of control and dove into a bottle. Despite the efforts of family, he sunk lower and lower. His coping skills, for whatever reason, we poor. Nobody could pull him off the cliff. He lost it all.

As the interview ends Rath asks him one final question, "Who expects you to be somebody?"

You're left to ponder those in your life who have expectations for you. Parents, buddies, co-workers, family - all those people who expect you to be somebody. It's good to have the high expectations of others.

The homeless man answered Rath this way, "I don't think anybody does anymore."

Bo Schembechler Dies at 77

2006-11-17T14:04:00.000-06:00

One day before the much anticipated Michigan - #2 vs. Ohio State - #1 rivalry - the legendary coach, Bo Schembechler passed away. He and Woody Hayes made Michigan/Ohio State one of the greatest college football rivalries of all time.

They both had great first names, too.

Michigan coach Bo Schembechler is carried off the field by Ed Muransky, left, and Glen Dwyer after their 23-6 win over Washington in the Rose Bowl in this Jan. 1, 1981 file photo in Pasadena, Calif. Schembechler, the winningest coach in Michigan football history, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, after collapsing during the taping of a television show, according to three Detroit TV stations. He was 77. (AP Photo)

What Are You Best At?

2006-11-17T07:04:00.000-06:00

McDonald's franchise owners aren't best at handling payroll. That's why they hire Horizon Payroll Services to do it. The implication is that handling payroll is what Horizon Payroll Services does best.

"Be your best." "Do your best." Those simple admonitions gets tossed about frequently.

Whenever we use them we mean, "Give your best effort. Try your hardest."

Do what you do best. But what is that?

Think about it. Talk with those who know you best. Imagine going through life without knowing what it is. Sadder still is knowing what it is, but failing to take advantage of it.

Many questions are often asked, but rarely answered. Today, answer this one!

Emmitt Smith Wins "Dancing With The Stars"

2006-11-16T18:10:00.000-06:00

Ernest T. Bass is green with envy. I just want to wear green arm bands like Emmitt.

Depth of Thought

2006-11-15T19:30:00.000-06:00

Every President thinks seriously and soberly. We may not agree with their decisions or their rationale, but we surely all can agree that no United States President flippantly thinks about the decisions that fall to the Oval Office.

Depth of thought is not equal to deep thoughts. Deep thoughts are typically profound ideas. I'm not talking about anything profound. Rather, I'm talking about giving serious consideration to things. Sober thinking. Due consideration. Depth of thought as opposed to quick considerations.

Not all of life's decisions require depth of thought. Some things can be decided quickly. They may be unimportant --- resulting in us giving them a quick glance, then a decision. They may have little or no risk --- resulting in a fast choice. They may be choices which can be quickly reversed or corrected --- resulting in a quick first choice.

Other things require deeper thoughts. Getting married. Buying a house. Changing a career. These are life altering decisions. Depth of thought is necessary if we hope to make the very best decision.

Enter the challenge - the pace of life, including the countless things thrown at us each day (which also includes all the information overload we suffer). The proverbial trees are often overlooked because the forest blinds us. Unable to focus long on anything, we're robbed of thinking too long about any one thing. We surrender to the pace and fail to find or create a quiet space where we can give serious contemplation to the decision facing us.

What can we do about it? I suspect there are many experts who could offer us wise counsel, but here are some things that come to my mind.

a. Eliminate distractions.

I'm the world's worst at this because multi-tasking is so much a part of my personality and character. Juggling a million things is how I live life. Fortunately, I'm fairly accomplished at juggling multiple things successfully. I've learned to accomplish things in the face of distractions. Which means, they're really not distractions for me at all because I don't allow them to be. Even so, there's something about quiet, uninterrupted time. If we want to give thoughtful consideration to something - it's required.

b. Find a time and space where you can clear you mind.

It's not the same as eliminating distractions. It's one step further. It's mentally going to a place where other concerns can be put elsewhere as you focus on the decision at hand. It's possible to get in a quiet place where there are no distractions, but still find yourself thinking of a million things other than the task at hand.

Figure out when your mind is clearest. Figure out a place where your mind can best focus. Coordinate the two and give yourself the opportunity to embrace the single issue at hand.

c. Free think the possibilities.

I love to write things down, but it may be best to simply freewheel it as you start the process. Just mull it over in your mind. Think of the challenges. Think of the possible solutions. Think of the scenarios and play them out in your mind. Don't hold back. Just let the thoughts flow without interruption. If you land on one and consider it more than the others - fine. If not, that's fine, too.

I think many people fail at this stage. They either don't do it, or they don't do it long enough. I've found that it's best to exhaust this stage. Maybe it's best to give this stage additional days or hours. Must a person stay at this stage before moving on? I don't think so. I think a person can advance to the next stage and still come back to this stage, creating a cycle for the process.

Depth of thought, in my experiences, happens HERE. And that's the obstacle for most of us. We don't want to give time to sitting around thinking. We're busy doing, reading, writing and other action items. To sit passively doing nothing is difficult. But we're really not being passive.

Judge yourself. I can tell you that I never watch a TV program without a book or laptop. I rarely do ONE thing at a time. My wife doesn't either. This is the hard part for me. Stop doing all other things and concentrate on the issue at hand. And give it sufficient time until you feel you've exhausted the scenarios or until you feel things are looking clearer to you.

d. Make notes.

Compile a list of pro's and con's or whatever written strategy works best for you. Some people like to write down risks and rewards. Some do pluses and minuses. Some diagram things with charts or drawings. Do whatever works for you. The object is to help make things clearer for you. If it helps you see the problem more clearly then it will help you find the solution more clearly. That's the goal anyway.

e. Give it some time.

Depth of thought requires time. By its nature, depth of thought isn't something done quickly. Quickly is a relative term, but I mean "on the spot." Whenever somebody tells me they need a decision right now - almost always my answer is the same. No!

Serious problems or challenges deserve serious time for thoughtful consideration. You can decide where to eat lunch on the spot. You don't want to decide who to marry on the spot. One has longer lasting repercussions. As a result, it demands greater time for sober thought.

How much time do you give it? That's up to you. Take all the time you can, or need. Don't avoid making a decision, but spend whatever time you need to feel like you've made the best possible decision. When you're ready to advance without looking back - it's time to move forward.

f. In conjunction with giving it enough time - seek wise counsel.

Some decisions need advisers. Advisers aren't restricted to Presidents. Find your own wise counsel. They can't make the decision for you, but they can give you perspective on things. They can be good sounding boards for your ideas and thoughts. Like the President, you have to make the decision though. And you'll be the one held accountable for it - not the advisers.

g. Be decisive once you've made up your mind.

If you're waffling, give it more time. But if you've reached that place of clear thought where your mind is made up - then advance.

One note of caution: Don't assume you can't change your mind or your course of action. Some people are so hard-headed they refuse to back down once they've made a decision. Like a court of law that discovers new evidence - things can change. You may think of things that previously escaped you. You may get new information that alters your prior decision. You might simply get a gut feeling that tells you to do something different. Listen to yourself carefully and be willing to admit you want to change your course because you've changed your mind.

Remember, you have to live with the choice. You want to make it the best one possible. It's not important that you're right the first time. It's more important that you're right the last time. Think about it.

Everybody faces life choices that cause stress. In place of stress implement some actions, like those I've listed, that will help you better overcome the challenges you face. Put yourself in the position to let wisdom help you.

Ketchup On Fries: Do You Dip or Shower?

2006-11-14T07:32:00.000-06:00

Heinz Ketchup is clearly the best. Growing up I had to stomach Del Monte because it was cheaper. It wasn't nearly as tasty. If you must save money, don't do it with your ketchup. Get a better grip on your finances so you can afford the best, Heinz. I mean, I understand driving a Honda or Toyota instead of a BMW, but we're talking about ketchup. What can it cost to have the best of at least one thing - ketchup - in your life?

Well, that's not the lead of this story though. Here's the real lead...

Do you squirt ketchup all over your fries, or do you squirt a glob of it to the side for dipping?

You do one or the other. I've not no scientific evidence to tell me what percentage season their fries by showering them with ketchup versus those who dip our fries into ketchup. Maybe it's a 50/50 deal, but I really don't know.

And I'm not sure it indicates anything really. I've seen very organized people squirt ketchup all over their fries. You'd think a person who loves things organized would be a dipper. Not necessarily so.

I've seen people who live in clutter neatly create a separate place on their plate for ketchup so they can carefully dip. Odd, no?

And I've even seen a few - very few - who do neither. They squirt ketchup on each individual fry. Seems like an awful lot of trouble, but I confess I've done that in the car while driving making use of those ketchup packets. But that's different. I'm talking about people in a sit down meal who use the regular bottle of ketchup to grease up each individual french fry. I don't eat with many people like that. I'll get up and leave. It's way too weird for me, even though I must confess that I've taken a bite out of a burger then squirted ketchup on it before taking the next bite. Uuummmm, ketchup!

I'm a dipper. I slather my fries. I don't want just a little smearing of ketchup on my fries. So, that squirting ketchup over the fries just doesn't do it for me. If I'm going to use ketchup - I'm going to use it with reckless abandon. I love ketchup.

The To-Do-List Is Over-Rated

2006-11-13T07:09:00.000-06:00

I hate to-do-lists. I know people who write such a lengthy to-do-list that an army of people couldn't knock it out in a day. I know others who spend more time on the list than actually doing anything on the list. I know others who have many lists - one in a daily diary, one in some computer program and another one on a writing pad. And I also know people, like me, who have these lists in their head - and make it work for them. Mainly, I know people with t0-do-list arrogance. They brag about how they sit down and each night create a list of things to do the next day before they wrap up their present day. Oh, they're so organized - that's what they want you to think. I've found these people among the most scrambled people going.

The odd thing is I'm a person who loves the written word. I write down lots of things. I make lists of lots of things like books I'm interested in, songs I've heard that I like, CD's that are out or soon to be released, quotes, news tidbits I read, and all sorts of weirdness. Just not thing to do - as in daily things.

I do write down goals and objective. I do make notes about what I hope to accomplish and strategies that may help me get there. And I've been known to make a note of some food item for my wife to retrieve at the grocery store. But I don't write down daily action items. I just do them somehow able to keep them straight in my mind. I find it helps me juggle multiple things better by keeping them prioritized in my mind - not on paper.

Without sounding like a braggart - I'm able to get quite a lot done each day. I enjoy improvising my mental to-do-list. Years ago I read that Einstein determined there was little reason to memorize something he could easily look up. Not sure if that's accurate or not, but I seem to be doing just the opposite - when it comes to my to-do-list. I prefer to keep it in my head. I figure I save about an hour a day by just getting things done - as opposed to making a list of things that need to be done.

BNL Comes To Ft. Worth

2006-11-12T07:07:00.000-06:00

Tonight at Will Rogers Coliseum. Live and in concert, The Barenaked Ladies. These Canucks had better be in good voice because I plan to be there. Mike Doughty opens.

11:30pm Update
The show was incredible. High energy, entertaining, spectacular musicianship and excellent vocals. As entertainers, I'd rate these guys up there near Jamie Cullum (he's still number one in my book). Their stage presence and confidence is superior. Glad I got to see them!

Don't Mess With Andy

2006-11-11T08:58:00.000-06:00

Andy Griffith sits in front of a bronze statue of Andy and Opie from the "Andy Griffith Show," in this Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003 file photo, after the statue was unveiled during a ceremony in Raleigh, N.C.

Griffith, the actor who portrayed the sheriff of the fictional town of Mayberry, N.C., has sued a Wisconsin resident who unsuccessfully bid for the Grant County post after legally changing his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith in May. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan, File)

Wal-Mart: Are They Hitting A Wall?

2006-11-11T08:06:00.000-06:00

Wal-Mart’s same-store sales in the U.S. for the four weeks ended Oct. 27 grew 0.5 percent, a figure that includes growth of a mere 0.3 percent at Wal-Mart Stores and 2 percent at Sam’s Club. It forecast flat sales in November.

Chief Executive Lee Scott told analysts last month the chain would refocus on selling basic items and price rollbacks. It seems the strategy to go trendier, a tactic chosen to chase Target, has been costly. Scott acknowledged that the fashion strategy hadn't worked, but also blamed the slow growth on store remodeling which disrupted business.

Yesterday Wal-Mart began its third round of markdowns on items - well before Christmas. In fact, we're still a few weeks away from Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday - the day after Christmas is called Black Friday by the retail community because that's when retailers begin to really earn profits, putting their profit/loss statements in the black.

Toys, electronics, apparel and now small appliances are all experiencing rollbacks, Wal-Mart's term for markdowns. This latest move in small appliances is a 7-17% markdown.

While customers will likely benefit from all this rolling back, profits will surely suffer. And I predict it will grown much worse. It's only November 11th. There are more than six weeks of holiday retailing to be executed, and that's not including the first week of January which is also a significant time for holiday spending.

Everybody will respond. Like a poker game where one player attempts to bluff the other players, Wal-Mart isn't going to walk away with this pot easily. The other players won't tolerate. Circuit City and Best Buy have responded in electronics. Sears, Target and others are responding in apparel - as well as electronics, small appliances and toys. This game is going to grow more intense in the coming days.

Will the strategy work or has Wal-Mart hit the wall when it comes to growth?

The strategy is likely to suck some business out of the market. The early shoppers will respond and be treated to killer deals - either by Wal-Mart or one of the other players. However, some will assume the prices may continue to fall. They'll wait. And wait. Christmas shoppers have historically been notorious, in recent years, for waiting until the last minute. The retail community has trained them to wait as markdowns have gone deeper and deeper and deeper. Some even wait until the week after Christmas, knowing retailers will push hard that last week of the year to make their sales numbers climb as high as possible.

Supply and demand enter the equation with certain items. XBox and PlayStations in recent years were items to be had when you could get them. There will be such items this Christmas, but that represents a small portion of the retail SKU's (stock keeping unit). For every one of those items, there are millions of other items not in high demand yet plentiful in supply. Customers realize which items are tough to get and which ones are likely to be in stock up to the last minute. People are no longer fooled by "get them while they last."

Wal-Mart's strategy to step outside of who they've become may have been a mistake. Whales need a lot of food to survive. As they've grown larger, they need more calories to survive (more sales, more profits). Where to find that food becomes a problem when you get too large. It seems they went foraging into areas away from their normal feeding ground. And they're finding it's slim pickens to be what they were not - stylish. Like Target. And category killers, like Best Buy and Circuit City, have too much to loose to let them rape their business without a fight - consumer electronics.

So now they've done it. Experienced slow growth and hacked off the other big players sitting at the table. It's likely to drag everybody's profits down - and that won't make anybody happy except the customers. For all their data mining capability and all their hi-tech inventory control Wal-Mart is showing signs of hitting the wall, gasping for breath as they try to find a way to win the race.

Some are watching with glee. This 900 pound gorilla has bullied vendors for decades. They've bullied local governments. They've bullied workers. It's not like it once was. It may never be again. And perhaps that's a good thing.

Or perhaps Wal-Mart's strategy will put the hurt on other struggling retailers like consumer electronic's Tweeter stores, a company that can't seem to find the answers with both hands and radar. Perhaps Wal-Mart's sales will rise, giving them steam to grow market share even more and giving them the vehicle to spur on higher profits. Time will tell.

Regardless of where you stand on the politics of Wal-Mart, one thing is certain. They've got everybody's attention. I suspect that was much of the strategy. I've not inspected all the items involved in the markdowns, but I'd suspect they're fairly restricted to items that could hurt them the least (profit wise) and could most hurt competitors (perhaps) and get the attention of the American shopper (the most important aspect of these rollback announcements).

In the end, it's visibility as a leader that they want and need. The race is on and they're yelling at the rest of the retail community, "If you want us, you'll have to chase us - because we're in front of you." I'm not too sure this breakaway strategy will work, but we'll see what kind of gas they've got in their tank to sustain the sprint.

Jack Palance Dies at 87

2006-11-10T17:04:00.000-06:00

He was born Volodymyr Palanyuk, of Ukcranian descent. We knew him as Jack Palance, noted actor who played Curly in City Slickers. He died today of natural causes. The family said he was 87. The Associated Press said he was 85. What difference does it make? That's what Jack would say.

Geraldo At Large: In Dallas

2006-11-10T07:44:00.000-06:00

Geraldo Rivera is in Dallas today shooting stories for his "Geraldo At Large" show airing on Fox at 10:30pm (here in Dallas).

An interview with the Musers this morning revealed the following:

- Geraldo thinks Katrina's affects on the Gulf Coast was more tragic than Iraq. It had wider sweeping casualties, according to him.

- President Bush and the Republicans lost to the Democrats this week because of their slow and poor response to Katrina.

- Let the Iraq people vote about whether or not they want a U.S. presence. If they vote, "yes" then we stay. If they vote, "no" then we should leave.

- His biggest professional regret was writing the tell-all book, "Geraldo Exposed." It was written 15 years ago, but he wishes he'd kept quiet about the women in his life, even though he was complimentary of them in the book.

- He's been married 5 times. He has 5 children. One of them is an 18 year old son who grew up here in Dallas, and is now attending the University of Miami.

- He is 63.

- He has the names of his 5 wives and his 5 kids tattooed on his arms.

My first exposure to Geraldo was when he hosted a show called, "Goodnight, America." The show ran from 1974 - 1978. I enjoyed his work on that show. Maybe it's because I was younger, and so was he. He was highly praised for work done exposing the mistreatment of the mentally ill at New York's Willowbrook School. More biographical information can be found here.

He's a bit over the top for me --- too much a self-promoter, but it works for him I guess. I'll be curious what stories he unearths from Dallas. Of course, I'd have to watch his show to see and I never watch Geraldo At Large. Oh, well. I don't really need to know - it won't impact my life.

Bush and Pelosi: A Love Connection

2006-11-09T14:04:00.000-06:00

President Bush, right, shakes hands with Democratic House Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi of Calif., during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

You can tell by their facial expressions and body language that a warm, fuzzy relationship has already begun. These two hate each other. They've spewed enough insults at each other to earn a spot on WWF. There is no way cooperation is possible. She's not about to give him an inch. And he's on his way out in a couple of years so he's not terribly worried about making her happy. It should be a lovely couple of years until the next presidential election.

I can hear the wheels of the political machine grinding to a halt. They weren't exactly well oiled before Tuesday's election results.

Something tells me the machine is so large that something will get done - some way, some how. Will it be good? Who knows? There will be lots of speeches, committee meetings, press conferences, interviews and rhetoric. Much more will be said than done. And when it's all said, Democrats will hate Republicans and blame them for everything - Republicans will reciprocate with the same. What a wonderful world it will be...

Daniel Baldwin Chases The Dragon & Gets His ___ Kicked!

2006-11-09T13:11:00.000-06:00

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - Daniel Baldwin has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a sport utility vehicle.

Baldwin was stopped Wednesday by officers in Santa Monica who saw him in a white GMC Yukon reported stolen in neighboring Orange County, authorities said.

The actor was taken to jail and booked for investigation of grand theft auto. Bail was set at $20,000.

"The car belongs to an acquaintance of Mr. Baldwin, but he had no permission to take it," said Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Orange County sheriff's department.

An after-hours call to Baldwin's attorney was not immediately returned.

The 46-year-old actor made news in July when he drove a rented car at more than 80 mph through Los Angeles traffic and crashed into two parked vehicles. In April, he was arrested for investigation of cocaine possession, although prosecutors declined to file felony charges.

Baldwin, brother of actors Alec, Stephen and William, has appeared in the television series "Homicide: Life on the Street" and the movie "Car 54, Where Are You?"

This is the face of a person who caught the dragon --- and got his tail soundly kicked by it!

"Alec, you've got a show right now. Call my rehab center and book me a room."

Once again a Baldwin brother exhibits sound judgment and wisdom. What's with these guys? Did they learn nothing growing up? When will they grow up?

For guys with limited talent they've made it go far --- I'll give 'em that. And they do know how to stay in the news. Good for them. Good for them.

May the rest of us learn from their stupidity.

Ed Bradley Dies At 65

2006-11-09T11:30:00.000-06:00

NEW YORK - CBS News reports that newsman Ed Bradley has died. Bradley spent 26 seasons on the newsmagazine "60 Minutes."

In an on-air announcement, anchorwoman Katie Couric said Bradley died from complications of leukemia.

Chasing The Dragon: It's Not Just Heroin

2006-11-09T07:32:00.000-06:00

Chasing the dragon is a way of smoking heroin. It usually involves placing powdered heroin on foil and heating it from below with a lighter. The heroin turns to a sticky liquid and wriggles around like a Chinese dragon. Fumes are given off and are inhaled sometimes thorough a rolled up newspaper, magazine or tube.

Destructive behavior involving narcotics isn't something I know about firsthand. I've never smoked weed, drank a beer or popped a Quaalude (you can tell I grew up in the 70's, huh?). I don't get it, but I've seen the effects firsthand in the lives of some friends (back in my younger days) and I've seen it in the lives of some business people (in my adult days).

Chasing the dragon may be technical jargon for smoking heroin, but people chase other dragons - enjoyable, destructive outcomes. Only heroin addicts know why they chase the dragon - I would suppose it's for the feelings they get. At some level, chasing the dragon works for them, even if it does put their life at risk. The dragon is always enjoyable, at some level.

People chase bad love - relationships with people who aren't good for them.
People chase bad careers - jobs that cost them family and health.
People chase bad money - illegal or unethical gain.
People chase bad power - through tyranny and autocratic rule.
People chase lots of bad things.

Dragons aren't friendly. They bite. They devour. They kill. At the very least, they maim. It's wise to survey the things we pursue --- and think about why we're chasing them. Will they serve us well? Will they harm us? Will they prevent us from becoming better people? Will they hurt those we love?

People should only chase dragons OUT of their life. Dragons do not improve our lives.

Having A Stake In The Game: Ownership Matters

2006-11-08T07:28:00.000-06:00

Nothing exceeds the value of ownership - a stake in the game. Most of us work at jobs that pay a salary or hourly wage. Some of us work at jobs that pay a commission - thus, giving us a slight stake in the game. But, real ownership involves a stake in the game that provides the real possibility to earn far more than a salary, hourly wage or commission.

"The game" certainly determines the degree of potential or possibility. After all, if the game is a business that struggles to make a profit - having a stake in that game is not a great thing. That's the rub. Ownership brings good and bad. It's a risk. People who earn salary and wages may think they've got a better deal because they get paid without much concern for how the company is doing. There are thousands of people who get laid off each year because their company didn't survive or wasn't competitive - it may not have been because their specific work was bad. They just thought they had security. Nobody has security. You must search for a game that is worth playing and one whose risks are outweighed by the potential rewards.

"The stake" also determines the degree of potential. A small, insignificant stake, is better than no stake, but it may not be substantial enough to do anything more than handcuff you to a bad game. Be careful of the strings attached. Ownership seeking to tie up a crucial employee can offer insignificant, no-control, stock in a privately held company - as a tool to get that employee to legally and emotionally commit to stay with the company. It may be a great deal, but it may be nothing more than a token gesture.

Some have said that owning 1% of anything is better than managing 100% of something. I don't agree, but the point is still valid. You want to have ownership. That's where you'll find the money.

Start an enterprise you can own - partially or wholly. Find or create an opportunity where you have a major stake in the game - the outcome. You can even do this without quitting your day job. I know many people who have started some small enterprise out of their house and it's changed their lifestyle. The additional income may only represent a new car payment each month - but for many of us, that's significant. It can help educate your kids, pay down your mortgage, increase your savings or investment portfolio or buy that new car.

Owners can achieve more than serfs. Be an owner, not a serf.

Facial Hair: Yes or No?

2006-11-07T07:47:00.000-06:00

Twenty years ago it was common to run into company managers (and customers) who had an aversion to facial hair. In fact, some companies didn't allow it. I'm sure there are still some companies out there who forbid it. Today, I don't often run into people who have such a hatred of facial hair that they won't do business with a person who has it - or a manager who won't hire somebody who has it.

Celebrities often sport facial hair. We look at Johnny Depp and expect to see facial hair. But he's a movie star - he can do as he pleases. The same is true of musicians, athletes and other entertainers.

Certain industries foster a more progressive view. Advertising and creative work has always tolerated unique dress, hair styles and facial hair. Conservative industries have historically frowned on those same things.

I watched the World Series. I didn't get this facial hair at all. Dying it red wasn't necessary for it to stand out. Good thing he's a ball player. I can't see this flying in a normal workplace - even one that is progressive and allows most any type of facial hair.

The goat is very common place today. In fact, it's so common it makes a fellow who has a goat want to shave it. Which is what I plan to do when I get home today. But, today I learned that somebody has an aversion to facial hair of any sort - and not wanting to portray the wrong impression to this person, I plan to remedy the situation.

I do find it strange for a professional person to have such an aversion for facial hair that they refuse to hire anybody with it, or do business with those who have it. Today, I discovered a person of some importance who is such a person though. I'm not the rebellious type. I'm certainly not the type to cut off my nose to spite my face. So, I'm just going to cut off the facial hair to spite my looks.

I guess some people would have never supported President Lincoln because he wore a beard. A nasty beard at that. Not trimmed. No moustache. An odd look, but it was distinctively Abe.

No, I don't get it. A neatly trimmed beard, moustache or goat don't bother me in the least. I don't judge a person's competence based on it. I don't decide who to do business with based on their facial hair - or absence of it. I don't decide who my friends are based on it. It just never enters my thought process. Perhaps I'm not normal. Perhaps I should judge people more carefully. I had no idea I was so liberal. That's depressing. Starting right now I'm going to be more discriminating. I won't do business with people who wear white socks either!

Is Monday Good For You? If It Is - You May Be An Idiot!

2006-11-06T07:49:00.000-06:00

The start of a new business week --- and you'd think folks would be refreshed, ready to tackle the challenges of a new week. Not so. I don't know many business people who embrace Mondays with anything other than dread.

In my experiences I've seen the idiots dominate Monday. For some reason idiots relish creating drama, problems and questions on Mondays. By Tuesday they're beginning to simmer down. By Wednesday nobody in the company is willing to listen to them anymore. By Thursday they want to let the weekend come quietly and by Friday --- well, it's Friday. Even idiots don't want to screw up a Friday.

Today is Monday. I vote we not let the idiots beat us today. Let's make Monday good for us --- bad for them.

“A lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can even get its boots on.”

2006-11-05T08:14:00.000-06:00

Mark Twain - one of our wisest observers - made that comment. It's been accurate for centuries. Lies are told. They're believed. They're repeated. And repeated. And repeated.

People love gossip. People love to hear about the misery of others. I suppose it makes their own misery seem lighter.

I can't fully explain why people are so quick to believe a lie. Self-deception has always been rampant. Adam and Eve proved that.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all worked harder to resist listening to rumors? Wouldn't be it nice if we weren't so gullible to believe everything we hear about other people? How different the world would be. And how many mistakes in judgment that lead to mistakes in actions would be avoided if we didn't believe the lies we hear?

It's a worthwhile project for all of us --- to listen more carefully, investigate more diligently and repeat what we hear less frequently. Of course, the Scriptures have always had the remedy for this problem.

James 1:19 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath..."

Ted Haggard's Skeltons Burst Forth From The Closet

2006-11-04T09:49:00.000-06:00

Mike Jones is an admitted gay prostitute who claims to have had three years of sexual encounters with evangelical leader Ted Haggard (pictured above). “It is unlikely that a man would step forward and announce to the world that he is a gay prostitute, unless he was strongly motivated by something that touched him very personally,” says Carole Lieberman, M.D., a psychiatrist who has both treated such patients and been a psychiatric expert witness in such cases.

And how could a man like Reverend Ted Haggard live a double life, in which he puts himself in the national spotlight as an activist against gay relationships and gay marriage, when he himself is engaging in homosexual behavior? “It’s called ‘reaction formation’,” says Dr. Lieberman. “This term describes the psychological defense mechanism that Rev. Haggard is using. Because he was so distressed by his homosexual yearnings, he staunchly opposed such behavior as a way of trying to quell these impulses within himself.” Haggard’s alleged use of drugs during the sexual encounters is also a way of distancing himself from the part of him that gets pleasure from the homosexual behavior that the other part of him disdains, she explains.

Haggard admits he purchased meth. But, he didn't use it. He admits to got massages from Jones, but there was no gay sex. Yeah, that sounds about right. I believe him, dont' you?

His wife and kids are hurt most. My guess is Haggard would like to have a do-over!

The Sun Has Set, That Ship Has Sailed and I Am No Longer Interested

2006-11-04T09:18:00.000-06:00

Timing might not be everything, but it may be very critical. A few years ago I embarked on a professional journey toward a desired goal. The cooperation of others was needed. One person in particular held a vital role. Unfortunately, this vital person negotiates like a Communist - who were famous during the Cold War for making demands and if those demands weren't met, they walked away. Cold War Communists believed their winning necessitated your losing. This guy worked the same way. I knew that going in.

Good judgment and experience told me that this deal would never work, but still I pressed on searching for ways to make the deal work. We worked, sometimes toward exhaustion, to move the project forward. The goal was worth the aggravation. Besides, a number of lives would be positively impacted if the goal were realized. No pain, no gain - that's what I kept telling myself. And you never know. You hope you can make something happen, even with a Communist.

Sadly, the pain began to outweigh the gain. Over the past three months my interest has eroded. Now, I no longer care. I'm walking away. Even motivated people get tired of playing the fool after awhile.

Relief is a wonderful feeling. Not caring anymore isn't what the Communist wanted, or what he saw coming. Confidently thinking he would eventually win at the expense of others - he lost. Now, he's interested in making something positive happen. He wants to go back to the negotiating table. It's not going to happen. I am no longer interested in bargaining with him.

Kenny Rogers may have sung about knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, but all of us have experienced times when it was just too little, too late. We lost interest. We no longer care as we once did. We fold 'em and walk away.

A car salesman wrangles with us for entirely too long as he attempts to squeeze the last ounce of profit possible instead of securing our good will. Tired and irritated - we walk! That's when you get that "hand on the door" price - the price you'll get once you start to leave the dealership. If you're smart - it's too late. Walk anyway. Find a dealership where you'll be treated with more respect. They'll likely provide better service anyway.

A boy chases a girl. Treats her royally. She behaves indifferent toward him. He chases some more. She enjoys the attention, but doesn't reciprocate. Eventually, the boy tires of the chase. The girl suddenly becomes more attentive to the boy's advances. Too late. Game over. He doesn't care anymore. Good for him.

It happens often, but not often enough. People accept all kinds of abuses and poor behavior. They tolerate too much. They surrender too much. Abused women stay too long. Employees of hateful bosses stay too long. Dating people stay too long with a person who isn't right for them. Overbearing people are riddled through out our lives and we put up with them far too long. Sometimes the sun needs to set. Ships need to sail. And we need to reach a point where we no longer care.

Examine your life. Look at your situations involving other people. If it's not working for you - do something about it. Don't wish, or hope. Those aren't good strategies for such circumstances. You must make a change. Stop thinking the other person will suddenly become what you need them to become in order to accomplish whatever goal you've got. My Communist fellow was never going to be what I needed him to be in order to facilitate a deal. Worse yet, I knew he was a snake when I picked him up.

You must understand the truth of the fable of the snake (see below). The boss who is a jerk isn't going to stop being a jerk. The fickle young lady won't stop being fickle (other than to put on a show for a brief period of time). The selfish young man won't stop being selfish (except briefly so you'll be conned into thinking he's changed). On and on it goes. People are what they are over time.

Know this - there are worse things than watching the sun set on an opportunity you may have once hoped would be realized. Setting sail on life's ship to sail from one lost opportunity toward a new opportunity is a good thing. Both require us to reach a place where we're no longer interested in investing our valuable time seeking something that is likely to never happen.

The Fable of the Snake

2006-11-04T09:15:00.000-06:00

Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak capped with dazzling snow.

I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak

When he reached the top he stood at the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke: ‘I am about to die, said the snake. "It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley."

"No," said the youth. "I am forewarned, I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. if pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me."

"Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently. If you will do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you."

The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There be laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled and leapt, biting him on the leg.

"But you promised," cried the youth.

‘You knew what I was when you picked me up," said the snake as it slithered away.

Here's the lesson --- Free yourself from the hope that the snake really won't bite you. He will. You knew he was a snake when you picked him up. The sooner you put him down, the better off you'll be. You'll also be safer and happier. As Paul Harvey would say, "And now you know the rest of the story."

New Approaches

2006-11-03T07:50:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago against the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys' coach, Bill Parcells, made a change at the quarterback position. He benched NFL veteran Drew Bledsoe and started 4-year "hardly-had-any-starts" Tony Romo. The Cowboys still lost.

Last Sunday night was a rare start for Tony Romo against the Carolina Panthers. A fresh approach. A change. A new direction. The result was a Cowboys' victory, 35-14. 35 unanswered points by Dallas. A week earlier things looked bleak for Cowboys' fans. Today, some are searching for SuperBowl tickets - proving that "fan" is short for "fanatic."

The Cowboys' change at quarterback proves that sometimes people, teams and organizations need a change in direction - a fresh perspective. It's easy to call for a new approach. It's much tougher to come up with one.

Life often demands a new approach. We don't always answer the bell calling for a new angle though. Habits form and we stick with them, even if they don't work out particularly well for us.

Health. We all agree it's important. You've always heard, "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything." But people still overeat, smoke, drink, fail to exercise, skip meals and engage in a variety of habits that diminish their health. It's easy to be neglectful. New approaches are tough.

Careers. Most of us spend more time on the job than in pursuit of anything else. Many of us hate our jobs. We trek to the workplace like roaches running from the light. What's the big rush? We want to get out of traffic - about the only other thing that creates more stress than work. Life drags by when you hate your job. Most of us are dragging mightily. We need a new approach, but alas - it's easier to just stay put where we know who the jerks are and how to cope with them. Who needs to learn how to deal with a new jerk?

Family. Few things are deemed more important. Few others see us as we really are. All that smoking and drinking coupled with the stress from that lackluster job create a wonderful human being at home. We yell at the kids. We fight with our spouse. We lay around in misery because our life sucks - and our family gets front row seats to this spectacle. It's time for a new approach, big time!

We're all creatures of habit. Some are good. Some not. Today, force yourself to take some new approaches. Here are ten suggestions to help you get some forward momentum.

1. Take a different route to work, then take a different route home.

2. Drink only water for 3 days.

3. When you arrive home immediately hug your spouse and tell them you love them. If you normally do this, don't change a thing.

4. For lunch or dinner, eat something you've never had before.

5. Tune into a radio station you've never listened to before - and leave it there all day.

6. Read a book (if you're a reader - read a genre you don't normally read).

7. Get off the sofa and go for a brisk 30 minute walk - sure, take your spouse along.

8. Watch a sport on TV you've never watched before (if you're a guy). Watch a program you've never seen before (if you're a gal).

9. Ignore all news for an entire day. Focus on the news in your life - nobody else.

10. Write (or re-write) your resume.

Bonus #11
If you hate your job, search for 3 jobs and send your resume to them. If you really hate your job, search for 30 jobs and send your resume to all of them.

I purposefully stayed away from really drastic changes. For instance, I could have said, "Clean out the garage or spare room that has sat cluttered for too long." Too much work. At least for starting a new approach. Smaller steps can steer us in an improved direction. But if you feel like cleaning out the garage, by all means - do it. Then come over to my house and clean mine. No car has seen my garage in over a year! Our cars need a new approach, too.

Earning Pain

2006-11-02T07:04:00.000-06:00

Pain varies greatly. Not all pain is earned.

There is pain that serves like a canary in a coal mine. It indicates there is a problem - perhaps minor, but possibly major.

For example:
- our foot goes "to sleep" (numbness can be a type of pain) means we need to stand up or move around to improve circulation
- persistent numbness of our feet may be indicative of circulation problems or possible diabetes
- something pinching us means we need to get it free so we're no longer being pinched
- pain in our chest might indicate a heart-attack, or simple indigestion.

It's impossible to consider all the types or levels of pain, but it's clear that not all pain is bad, or indicative of something wrong! Again, not all pain is earned.

When we work muscles that haven't been taxed in a long time - we experience pain. We're sore. We ache. We hurt. Nothing is wrong. We don't need to see a doctor. We need to recover. We need to keep working those muscles for greater strength. It's a valuable pain that indicates we're making progress.

Emergency rooms often ask, "Describe the pain on a scale of 1 to 10." Severe pain, the kind that makes a person writhe, is never a good sign. You want to be in the emergency when you're in that kind of pain. Of course, pain that is a 10 for one person could be a 8 for somebody else. I've known pain wimps. I've also known pain gladiators. I hope to be somewhere in between because I think it's safer.

Optimal physical fitness requires strenuous exercise. The pain of a good workout isn't a 10. If it is, something is wrong. Go see a doctor.

My workouts don't always result in pain, but hard workouts almost always do. I try to earn pain on a regular basis. Pain that hovers around 3-5. It's a good pain. A soreness that you know you earned. After a day or two it subsides, and you know you have to hit the gym to earn it all over again. It means progress. It means you're testing muscles that need to be tested.

I know other people who earn pain. They smoke, drink (some to excess), eat all the wrong foods and generally disregard their health. They experience high-blood pressure, poor digestion and all sorts of maladies that accompany poor lifestyles. Nobody should purposefully earn that kind of pain.

We endure pain when doctors help us. Sometimes surgery is required. It's almost always painful, but we understand it helps heal us. We get flu shots, enduring quick pain so we can prevent a 3-day stint in bed during flu season. Some pain helps remedy or prevent other, more serious longer lasting pain.

The bottom line is this: earn your pain. Choose the pain you want - the soreness of a body that is working to improve health, the visit to a doctor to help heal our maladies (and all the associated painful treatments that may come with it) OR the pain and suffering of a body that has suffered too much neglect and abuse.