I just want to record the name of the pianist who played at the association group on Friday evening. Her name is Julie Bonk. She is wonderful. She gave me a CD with her work and I am listening to it tonight. I feel I owe it to her to provide a link to her website: www.juliebonk.com. She is a very nice lady and her music was perfect for the mood of the event.
I just sent her an email message, expressing my appreciation for her contribution to the Friday evening festivities.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Phillipines Political Turmoil
As I was wandering the web this morning, I stumbled across the Internet site for the Phillipine Daily Inquirer, published in English. I've added the site to my foreign media sites that I visit periodically.
Today's edition reports that the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is threatening to impose another round of emergency powers if protests planned for May 1 (Labor Day in the Phillipines) turn into a challenge against her government. The paper reports that there is supposedly a scheme in place that calls for marches, assemblies of various opposition groups, armed assaults, and the proclamation of a new president by the end of the day tomorrow.
I have never quite understood the Phillipines. It seems to me to have an Hispanic flavor to it...but Tagalog is the native language, I believe. I'll have to look into the history of the Phillipines. A good starting place is the CIA World Factbook, which is on my personal web home page, despite my misgivings about the CIA.
Well, I have just looked and found that the Phillipines became a Spanish colony during the 16th century, which explains the Hispanic flavor. The islands were ceded to the U.S. after the Spanish-American War and attained their independence on July 4, 1946. The country has had a turbulent political history since Ferdinand Marcos was exiled after a rebellion in 1986. It's interesting to note that the recent insurgencies seem to be from Islamic groups and communists. According to the CIA, the country is 80% Roman Catholic and only 5% Muslim.
Today's edition reports that the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is threatening to impose another round of emergency powers if protests planned for May 1 (Labor Day in the Phillipines) turn into a challenge against her government. The paper reports that there is supposedly a scheme in place that calls for marches, assemblies of various opposition groups, armed assaults, and the proclamation of a new president by the end of the day tomorrow.
I have never quite understood the Phillipines. It seems to me to have an Hispanic flavor to it...but Tagalog is the native language, I believe. I'll have to look into the history of the Phillipines. A good starting place is the CIA World Factbook, which is on my personal web home page, despite my misgivings about the CIA.
Well, I have just looked and found that the Phillipines became a Spanish colony during the 16th century, which explains the Hispanic flavor. The islands were ceded to the U.S. after the Spanish-American War and attained their independence on July 4, 1946. The country has had a turbulent political history since Ferdinand Marcos was exiled after a rebellion in 1986. It's interesting to note that the recent insurgencies seem to be from Islamic groups and communists. According to the CIA, the country is 80% Roman Catholic and only 5% Muslim.
Notes
I woke up early this morning, well before 6:00 am, made a pot of coffee, and blogged about my experiences over the past day or so...and then when I tried to post it, the entire posting was lost. I was pissed. I went for a long walk to work out my frustration. It was a good decision. The air is very cool, about 58 degrees, and it feels wonderful to walk at a brisk pace in this atmosphere. It's very humid (70%), but that doesn't bother me when the temperature is so cool. So, despite losing what I had written (not that it had any significance), I feel pretty good at the moment.
John Kenneth Galbraith, the economist who helped conceive LBJ's Great Society, died yesterday. He wrote The Affluent Society, which I have not read but about which I have heard quite alot. His death reminds me that I want to read it. I think we're living what he wrote about.
John Kenneth Galbraith, the economist who helped conceive LBJ's Great Society, died yesterday. He wrote The Affluent Society, which I have not read but about which I have heard quite alot. His death reminds me that I want to read it. I think we're living what he wrote about.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Movies & Dogs
My wife and I just watched a DVD of a French film with subtitles. The English title is To Be and To Have. The film is a documentary about a teacher in France who bucks the typical French school system by being deeply interested in, and involved with, his students' learning. He has 13 students, mixed between very young and middle-school age. He's deeply committed to serving them. The first 15-20 minutes were excruciatingly dull, but it improved dramatically thereafter. By the end of the film, I was deeply moved by the teacher and by teachers in general. Generally, I am pissed by movies that make me cry, but I will give this one a pass. It is worth seeing.
Our other option was to watch Capote. We have it, courtesy of Netflix, but I wasn't in the mood tonight. Maybe tomorrow. We need to watch it this week, because on Saturday, we both fly to Boston. Then, on Sunday, I fly to Amersterdam, then to Frankfort, then to Dubrovnik. My wife returns home that Monday. I return home on the 16th or thereabouts. I've lost my interest in going, but have no good way of backing out. When I return, though, I will immediately plan time to take a few days off. God, I need them. I could become psychotic and dangerous, if given enough stress and time; I need to take some time to decompress.
We had a late lunch today at Mai's, a Vietnamese restaurant near downtown Dallas. For years, several publications have called it the best in Dallas. Well, the first time we went there a few years ago, it was one of the only Vietnamese places in Dallas. Since then, it has spawned many, many competitors. After lunch today, I can only say it has an uphill battle. It was OK, but nothing to write home about. Most of the Vietnamese places we've visited in the past year or two have outpaced it.
My brother in Falba, Texas, tells me he may have found a new home for his dog...or his son's dog. I am disappointed, because I really like the dog, named Callie. On the other hand, I understand why he would want to be out from under the responsibilities and expenses of keeping the dog. I just hope her new home is good for her.
Speaking of dogs, we went to the bank this afternoon to deposit some checks and saw some beautiful Boxers. The animal clinic across the parking lot from our bank had several dogs out for exercise, etc. and two of them were gorgeous brindle boxers. I want one! My wife would love a dog, but she doesn't know it. Her concern is taking care of a beast when I travel. She would enjoy it!
Our other option was to watch Capote. We have it, courtesy of Netflix, but I wasn't in the mood tonight. Maybe tomorrow. We need to watch it this week, because on Saturday, we both fly to Boston. Then, on Sunday, I fly to Amersterdam, then to Frankfort, then to Dubrovnik. My wife returns home that Monday. I return home on the 16th or thereabouts. I've lost my interest in going, but have no good way of backing out. When I return, though, I will immediately plan time to take a few days off. God, I need them. I could become psychotic and dangerous, if given enough stress and time; I need to take some time to decompress.
We had a late lunch today at Mai's, a Vietnamese restaurant near downtown Dallas. For years, several publications have called it the best in Dallas. Well, the first time we went there a few years ago, it was one of the only Vietnamese places in Dallas. Since then, it has spawned many, many competitors. After lunch today, I can only say it has an uphill battle. It was OK, but nothing to write home about. Most of the Vietnamese places we've visited in the past year or two have outpaced it.
My brother in Falba, Texas, tells me he may have found a new home for his dog...or his son's dog. I am disappointed, because I really like the dog, named Callie. On the other hand, I understand why he would want to be out from under the responsibilities and expenses of keeping the dog. I just hope her new home is good for her.
Speaking of dogs, we went to the bank this afternoon to deposit some checks and saw some beautiful Boxers. The animal clinic across the parking lot from our bank had several dogs out for exercise, etc. and two of them were gorgeous brindle boxers. I want one! My wife would love a dog, but she doesn't know it. Her concern is taking care of a beast when I travel. She would enjoy it!
Left-brain/right-brain
I read an article this afternoon in the Santiago Times that led me to some interesting stuff. The article, which appears to be a follow-on to a piece about an exhibition of the sketches of the late Uraguayan artist Joaquín Torres García at the Museo de Artes Visuales in Santiago, discusses a color test and the ways in which men and women process color. I took the test many times and only after about six times did I really do well. The first two times I scored a flat zero, even though I really did understand what I was supposed to do. It's amazing how badly my brain processed the instructions. Take the test at http://www.njagyouth.org/colortest.htm.
After doing so badly at the test, I went back to the page that first told me about it and read on. I became interested in learning more about Richard Kostelanetz, whose 'visual poem' entitled PO/EMS he is permitting the Santiago Times to publish over the coming weeks. The beginning is presented on the page referenced above. I did some Internet surfing and discovered more of his work, some of which I find really interesting. I've bookmarked quite a few pages about him or, more correctly, of his work.
I could get used to aimlessly surfing the Internet, stopping to read interesting stuff at will, with no constraints on my time nor obligations on my bank account. I will have to start selling information about mystery shopping. It seems everyone and his or her dog is swindling people out of their money with bogus promises of riches from shopping and makikng a record of their experiences. It's all such BS! But, there appear to be many, many people who are willing to part with their money to learn how they, too, can make money simply by going shopping!. It is legitimate, but no one is going to make lots of money...except the scammers who make the promises.
After doing so badly at the test, I went back to the page that first told me about it and read on. I became interested in learning more about Richard Kostelanetz, whose 'visual poem' entitled PO/EMS he is permitting the Santiago Times to publish over the coming weeks. The beginning is presented on the page referenced above. I did some Internet surfing and discovered more of his work, some of which I find really interesting. I've bookmarked quite a few pages about him or, more correctly, of his work.
I could get used to aimlessly surfing the Internet, stopping to read interesting stuff at will, with no constraints on my time nor obligations on my bank account. I will have to start selling information about mystery shopping. It seems everyone and his or her dog is swindling people out of their money with bogus promises of riches from shopping and makikng a record of their experiences. It's all such BS! But, there appear to be many, many people who are willing to part with their money to learn how they, too, can make money simply by going shopping!. It is legitimate, but no one is going to make lots of money...except the scammers who make the promises.
Fang
Yesterday, my wife and I left work a bit early and headed to downtown Dallas for an event that began at the Adolphus Hotel, where we spent the night. The event was the annual social gathering of people who work with associations in the area. It began with drinks at the Rodeo Bar at the Adolphus. Then, shuttles took us to Newport's Seafood & Steak Restaurant in the West End for hors d'oeuvres and more drinks, after which we were shuttled to The Maple Manor for dinner, and then to the Fairmont Hotel for dessert. It was a lavish affair, with great hors d'oeuvres and a wonderful meal (for dinner, I had pork tenderloin; my wife selected the other option, tilapia).
As usual, there were lots of door prizes. The one I would have liked to have won was dinner for two at The Palm restaurant; I've never eaten there and am unlikely to pay to do so, but I'd like to give it a try one day. Not everyone got a door prize this year, which is too bad...they didn't solicit like they had in the past. But I won a weekend night for two, with breakfast, at the Las Colinas Marriott, which will be a nice little getaway sometime for my wife and me.
We stayed up late, had too much to drink (as did most everyone else), and slept in this morning. My wife wanted breakfast when she got up, which is rare for her...if she wants breakfast, she usually wants to wait until she's been up awhile. She wasn't up to walking a long way, so I called the consierge to inquire about places for breakfast outside the hotel, within easy walking distance. Not much available, he said, and suggested the best place for breakfast would be The Bistro in the hotel. Dallas is undergoing a downtown building/renovation boom for housing (lofts & condos), but the "roll up the sidewalks" ambience goes on. We decided to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant, which turned out to be a good choice. My wife had poached eggs with corned beef hash and I had chilaquiles. Both were good.
While we were having breakfast, a waitress who was serving a couple seated near us asked what kind of milk they wanted for their breakfast cereal: "Do you want whole milk, skimmed milk, or two percent?" That struck my wife as funny. She said, "Now, which cow would you like that milk from: Bessie, Rosie, Daisie, or Fang?" I found that really funny and started laughing hysterically.
After calming down, we started talking about creating a skit for Saturday Night Live, in which there would be a couple seated at a restaurant. Like this morning's scenario, a waitress would ask the couple, "Do you want whole milk, skimmed milk, or two percent?" Then, when the couple responds, the waitress would draw back the curtains on the 'wall' next to the couple's table, revealing a large window into a barn. In the barn there would be four cows with the appropriate name tags hanging from their necks. The waitress would then ask, "Now, which cow would you like that milk from: Bessie, Rosie, Daisie, or Fang?"
We got home just after noon and my wife immediately decided to take a nap. I don't do naps, at least not often. It has been raining on and off for a while, so yard work is not in the cards for today, but I imagine tomorrow will be a good time to clean up a bit more. Next week is the week for bulk trash pickup, so I need to clear out branches, vines, etc. and put them out front for pickup. Maybe I'll be very energetic and get more done this weekend than last.
As usual, there were lots of door prizes. The one I would have liked to have won was dinner for two at The Palm restaurant; I've never eaten there and am unlikely to pay to do so, but I'd like to give it a try one day. Not everyone got a door prize this year, which is too bad...they didn't solicit like they had in the past. But I won a weekend night for two, with breakfast, at the Las Colinas Marriott, which will be a nice little getaway sometime for my wife and me.
We stayed up late, had too much to drink (as did most everyone else), and slept in this morning. My wife wanted breakfast when she got up, which is rare for her...if she wants breakfast, she usually wants to wait until she's been up awhile. She wasn't up to walking a long way, so I called the consierge to inquire about places for breakfast outside the hotel, within easy walking distance. Not much available, he said, and suggested the best place for breakfast would be The Bistro in the hotel. Dallas is undergoing a downtown building/renovation boom for housing (lofts & condos), but the "roll up the sidewalks" ambience goes on. We decided to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant, which turned out to be a good choice. My wife had poached eggs with corned beef hash and I had chilaquiles. Both were good.
While we were having breakfast, a waitress who was serving a couple seated near us asked what kind of milk they wanted for their breakfast cereal: "Do you want whole milk, skimmed milk, or two percent?" That struck my wife as funny. She said, "Now, which cow would you like that milk from: Bessie, Rosie, Daisie, or Fang?" I found that really funny and started laughing hysterically.
After calming down, we started talking about creating a skit for Saturday Night Live, in which there would be a couple seated at a restaurant. Like this morning's scenario, a waitress would ask the couple, "Do you want whole milk, skimmed milk, or two percent?" Then, when the couple responds, the waitress would draw back the curtains on the 'wall' next to the couple's table, revealing a large window into a barn. In the barn there would be four cows with the appropriate name tags hanging from their necks. The waitress would then ask, "Now, which cow would you like that milk from: Bessie, Rosie, Daisie, or Fang?"
We got home just after noon and my wife immediately decided to take a nap. I don't do naps, at least not often. It has been raining on and off for a while, so yard work is not in the cards for today, but I imagine tomorrow will be a good time to clean up a bit more. Next week is the week for bulk trash pickup, so I need to clear out branches, vines, etc. and put them out front for pickup. Maybe I'll be very energetic and get more done this weekend than last.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Bloggishly Rambling
Last night, my wife suggested I make arroz con pollo for dinner, which I did. It turned out well and made a nice meal. But I would have been happy if she had made the same dish she made the night before: it was a recipe she concocted on the fly, using small chunks of chicken which she had browned and added to a mixture of extra hot Rotel tomatoes, zuccini, yellow squash, cauliflower, and miscellaneous spices. It was superb. I told her she should write the recipe down before she forgets what is in it.
I spent most of last evening listening to CNN...being a vegetable in front of the television. I sometimes have an insatiable appetite for news as entertainment, and listening to Larry King live, Paula Zahn, and Anderson Cooper fills it. Then, I get real news from NPR and BBC and other outlets in which I have far more confidence. And I read, online, newspapers from around and about.
Day before yesterday, my Australian employee brought ANZAC cookies to the office. ANZAC cookies are the tradition on ANZAC day in Australia. ANZAC Day is held each April 25 to honor the Australians and New Zealanders killed in war and to honor returned service men and service women. It's much like a combination of Memorial Day and Vetrans Day in the U.S. Anyway, one of the traditions is to make ANZAC cookies, which my staffer did. She explained that they just don't taste quite the way she is used to, because she could not get her hands on treacle or golden honey, which I understand is similar in many respects to molasses, but not as sweet...she describes it as having a sweet, bitter flavor. They were good, nonetheless.
My most recently hired and almost immediately departed employee communicated with me via email today, saying she is going to take longer to be with her family after her grandfather's death than she expected, so she resigned. My wife sent her a message, asking exactly how long she planned to be away...saying we might hold the position, but we wanted to know whether she really wanted the job. We'll see how she responds.
Tomorrow night, we will attend an annual social event for association executives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It will be an all-evening festival of food and drink, ending about 10:30 pm. We're staying the night at the Adolphus Hotel, which has offered the group $79 rates for the night...which is, despite being a bunch of money, very inexpensive, especially for that hotel. And it assures us that we will not need to worry about whether either of us has too much to drink to drive safely.
Saturday, I have to get back into the yard to clean things up. Unless someone drops by tomorrow, unannounced and uninvited, and decides to do an enormously good deed. I am not expecting this to happen.
Today, my wife took our two remaining administrative employees out for a very nice lunch at an upscale restaurant in Addison, Truluck's. I stayed behind to answer the phones. They enjoyed their salmon.
After work today, on the way home, my wife allowed that she was in the mood for a margarita, preferably at an alfresco spot. We went to a Mexican restaurant that is far afield from our house because it has a very large outdoor bar area, covered with corregated metal (with clear corrugated plastic panels intermittenly spaced between the metal panels). The place is next to a creek; the bar is behind the restaurant, away from the street. We each had a margarita on the rocks and we ordered an appetizer, beef fajita nachos. Excellent way to end a workday!
I've documented most of the remotely interesting elements of my life over the last few days. More blogging, with more substance, to come in the weeks ahead.
I spent most of last evening listening to CNN...being a vegetable in front of the television. I sometimes have an insatiable appetite for news as entertainment, and listening to Larry King live, Paula Zahn, and Anderson Cooper fills it. Then, I get real news from NPR and BBC and other outlets in which I have far more confidence. And I read, online, newspapers from around and about.
Day before yesterday, my Australian employee brought ANZAC cookies to the office. ANZAC cookies are the tradition on ANZAC day in Australia. ANZAC Day is held each April 25 to honor the Australians and New Zealanders killed in war and to honor returned service men and service women. It's much like a combination of Memorial Day and Vetrans Day in the U.S. Anyway, one of the traditions is to make ANZAC cookies, which my staffer did. She explained that they just don't taste quite the way she is used to, because she could not get her hands on treacle or golden honey, which I understand is similar in many respects to molasses, but not as sweet...she describes it as having a sweet, bitter flavor. They were good, nonetheless.
My most recently hired and almost immediately departed employee communicated with me via email today, saying she is going to take longer to be with her family after her grandfather's death than she expected, so she resigned. My wife sent her a message, asking exactly how long she planned to be away...saying we might hold the position, but we wanted to know whether she really wanted the job. We'll see how she responds.
Tomorrow night, we will attend an annual social event for association executives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It will be an all-evening festival of food and drink, ending about 10:30 pm. We're staying the night at the Adolphus Hotel, which has offered the group $79 rates for the night...which is, despite being a bunch of money, very inexpensive, especially for that hotel. And it assures us that we will not need to worry about whether either of us has too much to drink to drive safely.
Saturday, I have to get back into the yard to clean things up. Unless someone drops by tomorrow, unannounced and uninvited, and decides to do an enormously good deed. I am not expecting this to happen.
Today, my wife took our two remaining administrative employees out for a very nice lunch at an upscale restaurant in Addison, Truluck's. I stayed behind to answer the phones. They enjoyed their salmon.
After work today, on the way home, my wife allowed that she was in the mood for a margarita, preferably at an alfresco spot. We went to a Mexican restaurant that is far afield from our house because it has a very large outdoor bar area, covered with corregated metal (with clear corrugated plastic panels intermittenly spaced between the metal panels). The place is next to a creek; the bar is behind the restaurant, away from the street. We each had a margarita on the rocks and we ordered an appetizer, beef fajita nachos. Excellent way to end a workday!
I've documented most of the remotely interesting elements of my life over the last few days. More blogging, with more substance, to come in the weeks ahead.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Peeved at Plavix
One of what seems like the dozens of medications prescribed for me is something called Plavix, which is an anticoagulant. I don't doubt that it is a good thing for my cardiovascular health, but it causes really annoying side effects. For one, a minor scratch can bleed and bleed and bleed. A nick while shaving is much harder to stop bleeding than pre-Plavix. A scrape on my knuckle can result in blood flowing down my hand. In short, Plavix turns minor scratches and nicks into big headaches. I guess I can live with it, though.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Good Times and Geezer Eyes
I didn't blog yesterday. I blame it on getting home late...that, along with feeding my addiction to the television series, 24. If I had blogged, I would have mentioned that my wife and I met two people for dinner Sunday evening and had a great time. These two guys, who I wrote about recently, came to Dallas to meet with some clients and prospective clients. They came a couple of days early to take advantage of the trip...they went to museums in Fort Worth, wandered around Dallas, and generally got a flavor of the area. They're into architecture, so they spent a good part of their time looking at buildings.
One of the reasons they selected the hotel they stayed in was because it was designed by Charles Dilbeck. The hotel, which originally was a motor court motel, is really exceptional. Take a look at it at www.belmontdallas.com/. They showed up their room; a very attractive suite with a balcony and lots of character...plus, the room was really quiet, despite significant street noise outside. They paid $125/night; the top of the line suite, with 2 bedrooms, a jacuzzi, huge balcony, and stunning views of the downtown Dallas skyline is $255 per night, I believe.
After we got a tour of the hotel, including some of the larger suites, we had a drink at the bar, BarBelmont, which was recently written about in Conde Naste Traveler; the magazine said very nice things about the place. Our guests bought a bottle of red wine and we all shared it at a table outside on the terrace while we talked about where to eat (and politics, Texan culture, freeway behavior, and a dozen other topics). As I predicted, they were interested in one of our favorite places, La Calle Doce, which is a Mexican seafood place in an huge old rambling house in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. We had a list of 5 or 6 places that we thought they might like (and which were open on Sunday evening...I had no idea so many places are closed on Sunday).
At La Calle Doce, I had pulpo con tomate (octopus in a very nicely spiced sauce of tomatoes, onions, olives, and other odds & ends), which we fabulous. My wife had a wonderful salmon dish. I didn't pay much attention to what our guests ordered until they offered me one of the huge clam shells that had been stuffed with a wonderful mix of seafoods in a blend of very nicely spiced white cheese. Oh, I almost forgot, my wife ordered an appetizer of cheese and seafood fondue as an appetizer for the table. Everything was, as usual, wonderful. My wife and I and one of our guests had margaritas on the rocks, with salt, and the other guest had a glass of house red wine, which he said was very good. After we finished our meals, the waiter brought a tall blue-glass shot glass for each of us, filled with orange juice flavored with a dash of very smooth tequila; on the house, he said. Since our guests had bought the wine at the hotel, I picked up the dinner check...and told them they could pick up dinner when we visit them in Madison, Wisconsin (not awfully likely, but I wouldn't mind visiting Madison...my wife and I visited the city when we lived in Chicago and found it really nice).
Another topic altogether: I want to start a consulting business geared toward advising businesses on catering to the needs of aging baby boomers. Every time I walk into a restaurant, I am amazed that the lighting is dim, the menu fonts are tiny and difficult to read, the board menus (in fast food places and sandwich shops) are unreadable due to size, type style, and color, etc., etc. People with less than perfect vision have a hell of a tough time with menus, let alone the types of seating, the weight of chairs, etc., etc. Whenever I find such annoyances, I find myself making a mental note that the owner/operator is somewhat insensitive to even moderately challenged geezers like me...and is utterly insensitive to folks who have greater physical challenges. I am convinced the age-impaired young business people among us could get valuable advice from me...advice that would boost them high in the eyes of people who would happily lavish money on them if treated right. I am serious about this. I'd like any reader who has examples of such problems (or good solutions) to pass them along to me via posting to this blog (or, if you know me, via email).
One of the reasons they selected the hotel they stayed in was because it was designed by Charles Dilbeck. The hotel, which originally was a motor court motel, is really exceptional. Take a look at it at www.belmontdallas.com/. They showed up their room; a very attractive suite with a balcony and lots of character...plus, the room was really quiet, despite significant street noise outside. They paid $125/night; the top of the line suite, with 2 bedrooms, a jacuzzi, huge balcony, and stunning views of the downtown Dallas skyline is $255 per night, I believe.
After we got a tour of the hotel, including some of the larger suites, we had a drink at the bar, BarBelmont, which was recently written about in Conde Naste Traveler; the magazine said very nice things about the place. Our guests bought a bottle of red wine and we all shared it at a table outside on the terrace while we talked about where to eat (and politics, Texan culture, freeway behavior, and a dozen other topics). As I predicted, they were interested in one of our favorite places, La Calle Doce, which is a Mexican seafood place in an huge old rambling house in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. We had a list of 5 or 6 places that we thought they might like (and which were open on Sunday evening...I had no idea so many places are closed on Sunday).
At La Calle Doce, I had pulpo con tomate (octopus in a very nicely spiced sauce of tomatoes, onions, olives, and other odds & ends), which we fabulous. My wife had a wonderful salmon dish. I didn't pay much attention to what our guests ordered until they offered me one of the huge clam shells that had been stuffed with a wonderful mix of seafoods in a blend of very nicely spiced white cheese. Oh, I almost forgot, my wife ordered an appetizer of cheese and seafood fondue as an appetizer for the table. Everything was, as usual, wonderful. My wife and I and one of our guests had margaritas on the rocks, with salt, and the other guest had a glass of house red wine, which he said was very good. After we finished our meals, the waiter brought a tall blue-glass shot glass for each of us, filled with orange juice flavored with a dash of very smooth tequila; on the house, he said. Since our guests had bought the wine at the hotel, I picked up the dinner check...and told them they could pick up dinner when we visit them in Madison, Wisconsin (not awfully likely, but I wouldn't mind visiting Madison...my wife and I visited the city when we lived in Chicago and found it really nice).
Another topic altogether: I want to start a consulting business geared toward advising businesses on catering to the needs of aging baby boomers. Every time I walk into a restaurant, I am amazed that the lighting is dim, the menu fonts are tiny and difficult to read, the board menus (in fast food places and sandwich shops) are unreadable due to size, type style, and color, etc., etc. People with less than perfect vision have a hell of a tough time with menus, let alone the types of seating, the weight of chairs, etc., etc. Whenever I find such annoyances, I find myself making a mental note that the owner/operator is somewhat insensitive to even moderately challenged geezers like me...and is utterly insensitive to folks who have greater physical challenges. I am convinced the age-impaired young business people among us could get valuable advice from me...advice that would boost them high in the eyes of people who would happily lavish money on them if treated right. I am serious about this. I'd like any reader who has examples of such problems (or good solutions) to pass them along to me via posting to this blog (or, if you know me, via email).
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Sunday Morning Musings
It's about 70 degrees outside, just before 7:00 am. It could be worse and will be as we move deeper into the sweaty froth of north Texas summer. Actually, 70 degrees is downright comfortable. I need to go out for a walk. The question is, will I?
I went to a memorial service for an association management colleague yesterday. I hadn't known her well, but had socialized with her a bit during association events over the years until she moved away to Colorado a few years ago. I didn't know she was moving and have not kept in touch, but I knew her and felt that attending her service would at least show her family that she had friends in the association community in Dallas. Only five association executives attended, which surprised me. She was a popular person while she was in Dallas, yet many of the people who knew her better than I and were far closer than I chose not to attend (or couldn't). I know some people who almost certainly would have attended were out of town on business.
The service was held at the Church of the Holy Communion, a Reformed Episcopal Church. I felt like a fish out of water! Everyone there seemed to be familiar with the various ceremonies and the prayers, etc. Everyone but me! It has been so very, very long since I have been in a church...and even longer, MUCH longer, since I was involved (or supposed to have been involved) in the processes. A woman who sat next to me, another association executive I've known for years and years, apparently knew the drill and when the priest (or whatever Episcopals call the head honcho) said, "let us pray," she looked to me as if she expected me to do something. When I didn't, she knelt down to pull out the knee-rest (forgive me, I don't even know the language) that is used for people to kneel on when in prayer. Those who noticed my complete ignorance of religious process probably thought to themselves, "Heathen!" as they increased their distance from me. Despite the fact that I find the religious process and the beliefs upon which the processes are based to be absurd, I hold no ill will toward the believers...as long as they really don't hold ill will toward me for being a nonbeliever. In our society, though, nonbelievers (particularly those of us with virtually no experience with the processes and routines) are at a distinct disadvantage in trying to "blend in" during religious ceremonies. I suppose I could have simply stayed away, but the point of attending, from my perspective, was not to send the woman on her way to heaven but, rather, to help her family know that their loved one meant enough to other people that they are willing to interrupt their routines to pay their respects.
That leads to an interesting issue: what do people do when atheists die? Are they honored in some way? Do people gather in public parks to celebrate their passing? Despite the fact that funerals/memorial services are for the survivors, it seems to me that it would be a slap in the face of the atheist who died if services were held at a church. I'll have to look into that. Surely something must have been written about the topic.
I don't wear business suits anymore, but I wore one yesterday. I'm not comfortable in a suit; for one thing, mine no longer fit me well. For another, a buttoned collar and a tie around my neck are awfully confining. I've even stopped wearing suits when I make a presentation to a potential client. Instead, I wear a dressy t-shirt and a sports coat. I've only done that twice; once I got the client, once I didn't. I hope my lack of suit & tie doesn't have a bearing on whether I get a new client; if it does, I guess I have to decide whether I would want to do business with people who make their decisions on the basis of such stuff.
Finally, on a completely different topic, if you have high-speed Internet connectivity, you'll find this item interesting and informative. One of my brothers sent me the link to this media show:
http://www.malcontent.biz/video/advocate-circlec-hi.wmv
I went to a memorial service for an association management colleague yesterday. I hadn't known her well, but had socialized with her a bit during association events over the years until she moved away to Colorado a few years ago. I didn't know she was moving and have not kept in touch, but I knew her and felt that attending her service would at least show her family that she had friends in the association community in Dallas. Only five association executives attended, which surprised me. She was a popular person while she was in Dallas, yet many of the people who knew her better than I and were far closer than I chose not to attend (or couldn't). I know some people who almost certainly would have attended were out of town on business.
The service was held at the Church of the Holy Communion, a Reformed Episcopal Church. I felt like a fish out of water! Everyone there seemed to be familiar with the various ceremonies and the prayers, etc. Everyone but me! It has been so very, very long since I have been in a church...and even longer, MUCH longer, since I was involved (or supposed to have been involved) in the processes. A woman who sat next to me, another association executive I've known for years and years, apparently knew the drill and when the priest (or whatever Episcopals call the head honcho) said, "let us pray," she looked to me as if she expected me to do something. When I didn't, she knelt down to pull out the knee-rest (forgive me, I don't even know the language) that is used for people to kneel on when in prayer. Those who noticed my complete ignorance of religious process probably thought to themselves, "Heathen!" as they increased their distance from me. Despite the fact that I find the religious process and the beliefs upon which the processes are based to be absurd, I hold no ill will toward the believers...as long as they really don't hold ill will toward me for being a nonbeliever. In our society, though, nonbelievers (particularly those of us with virtually no experience with the processes and routines) are at a distinct disadvantage in trying to "blend in" during religious ceremonies. I suppose I could have simply stayed away, but the point of attending, from my perspective, was not to send the woman on her way to heaven but, rather, to help her family know that their loved one meant enough to other people that they are willing to interrupt their routines to pay their respects.
That leads to an interesting issue: what do people do when atheists die? Are they honored in some way? Do people gather in public parks to celebrate their passing? Despite the fact that funerals/memorial services are for the survivors, it seems to me that it would be a slap in the face of the atheist who died if services were held at a church. I'll have to look into that. Surely something must have been written about the topic.
I don't wear business suits anymore, but I wore one yesterday. I'm not comfortable in a suit; for one thing, mine no longer fit me well. For another, a buttoned collar and a tie around my neck are awfully confining. I've even stopped wearing suits when I make a presentation to a potential client. Instead, I wear a dressy t-shirt and a sports coat. I've only done that twice; once I got the client, once I didn't. I hope my lack of suit & tie doesn't have a bearing on whether I get a new client; if it does, I guess I have to decide whether I would want to do business with people who make their decisions on the basis of such stuff.
Finally, on a completely different topic, if you have high-speed Internet connectivity, you'll find this item interesting and informative. One of my brothers sent me the link to this media show:
http://www.malcontent.biz/video/advocate-circlec-hi.wmv
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Catch Up Bloggery
I missed blogging yesterday...I guess it just went right by me.
It's early Saturday morning and I don't have much to say yet. Yesterday was uneventful, except for learning that my brand-new employee's grandfather died and she said she had to go to Denver to handle arrangements...and suggested she might be gone quite some time and would understand if we cannot keep the position open. Starting over. Crap!
I drove back to Dallas from Austin yesterday. Driving on IH-35 is a mind-numbing experience. It's unlike road travel that I used to enjoy. Instead, it's an hours-long assault on one's nerves, with speeding trucks careening from lane to lane, tailgaters for whom drivers who keep it steady at 85 miles per hour in the slow lane are 'in the way,' and idiots who attempt the enter the bumper-to-bumper crowded highway at a safe, sensible, forty miles per hour.
It was good to be able to sleep in my own bed last night.
Today, there will be a memorial service for a woman I used to know in Dallas. She was an association executive who was fired about 10 years ago from her very cushy and very long-term job completely unexpectedly. It affected her very deeply and I am told she never got over it. A few years ago, she and her husband bought a bar in a small town in Colorado...a complete change of lifestyle. She died last month of a heart attack at age 63. I did not know her well, but I may go to the service anyway. I remember a touching piece from NPR's This I Believe radio program that I heard last year. I looked it up a while ago. It explains why it's important to try to do all those inconvenient things we'd rather avoid doing, when doing them will have meaning to someone else. I'd like to be the sort of person who makes a difference in others' lives. So I think I should go.
My wife and I are meeting a board member from a client association for dinner topmorrow night. He and his partner of many years are visiting Dallas on business but will take advantage of their time here to visit places of interest. He and his partner are exceedingly nice guys who I admire and respect. They are among the few members of association clients who I truly enjoy being around socially. They share many of my political attitudes and beliefs. The fact that they are gay is a non-issue from my perspective, but I hear comments about them from other members of the association from time to time. It pisses me off, but I let it slide, the same way they do. They are staying in an old refurbished hotel that was built in the 1940s in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. We'll meet them at their hotel to get a look at the place, which my wife and I do not recall seeing before. Then, off to dinner, probably ethnic food of one sort of another. There are lots of good places in Oak Cliff, which is arguably the most politically and socially progressive area in Dallas.
It's early Saturday morning and I don't have much to say yet. Yesterday was uneventful, except for learning that my brand-new employee's grandfather died and she said she had to go to Denver to handle arrangements...and suggested she might be gone quite some time and would understand if we cannot keep the position open. Starting over. Crap!
I drove back to Dallas from Austin yesterday. Driving on IH-35 is a mind-numbing experience. It's unlike road travel that I used to enjoy. Instead, it's an hours-long assault on one's nerves, with speeding trucks careening from lane to lane, tailgaters for whom drivers who keep it steady at 85 miles per hour in the slow lane are 'in the way,' and idiots who attempt the enter the bumper-to-bumper crowded highway at a safe, sensible, forty miles per hour.
It was good to be able to sleep in my own bed last night.
Today, there will be a memorial service for a woman I used to know in Dallas. She was an association executive who was fired about 10 years ago from her very cushy and very long-term job completely unexpectedly. It affected her very deeply and I am told she never got over it. A few years ago, she and her husband bought a bar in a small town in Colorado...a complete change of lifestyle. She died last month of a heart attack at age 63. I did not know her well, but I may go to the service anyway. I remember a touching piece from NPR's This I Believe radio program that I heard last year. I looked it up a while ago. It explains why it's important to try to do all those inconvenient things we'd rather avoid doing, when doing them will have meaning to someone else. I'd like to be the sort of person who makes a difference in others' lives. So I think I should go.
My wife and I are meeting a board member from a client association for dinner topmorrow night. He and his partner of many years are visiting Dallas on business but will take advantage of their time here to visit places of interest. He and his partner are exceedingly nice guys who I admire and respect. They are among the few members of association clients who I truly enjoy being around socially. They share many of my political attitudes and beliefs. The fact that they are gay is a non-issue from my perspective, but I hear comments about them from other members of the association from time to time. It pisses me off, but I let it slide, the same way they do. They are staying in an old refurbished hotel that was built in the 1940s in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. We'll meet them at their hotel to get a look at the place, which my wife and I do not recall seeing before. Then, off to dinner, probably ethnic food of one sort of another. There are lots of good places in Oak Cliff, which is arguably the most politically and socially progressive area in Dallas.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Thursday Evening Musings from Austin
The television stations in Austin are announcing impending tornadoes, hail, high winds, and otherwise dangerous weather. Consequently, I'm not sure I want to go out to eat dinner tonight. Last night, I had dinner at the Iron Cactus, designed to be attractive to folks who don't want to stray too far from their comfort levels...it works well for people who seek out Chile's restaurants, but who are ready for a truly authentic ethnic experience...right. I had hoped I could enjoy some one-of-a-kind fare, but my colleague isn't into the kinds of places I like. I could have left her to eat hotel food, but it wouldn't have been nice. Oh, well.
My desire for funky food won't be assuaged tonight, thanks to the weather. Drat! Austin, despite its transition from sleepy college town to high-tech city, retains some of its unique character, part of which includes its food. Maybe next time.
One of my brothers, who lives in Mexico, sent me an electronic ad for a duplex in Ajijic, but I could not contact the seller because I was unable to log in to send the owner a message. I hope my brother will try to get in touch with the guy to get more details, or will put me in touch with the guy. I'm still interested in buying a place in Mexico...if I can afford it.
My hotel room has a view of the dome of the Texas state capitol building...interesting view. If it weren't for the fact that the hotel building and surrounding streets are swarming with members of the organization we are serving, I would try to wander about a little in this area of downtown Austin (if the weather would cooperate).
I'm not in the mood to write. Maybe later.
My desire for funky food won't be assuaged tonight, thanks to the weather. Drat! Austin, despite its transition from sleepy college town to high-tech city, retains some of its unique character, part of which includes its food. Maybe next time.
One of my brothers, who lives in Mexico, sent me an electronic ad for a duplex in Ajijic, but I could not contact the seller because I was unable to log in to send the owner a message. I hope my brother will try to get in touch with the guy to get more details, or will put me in touch with the guy. I'm still interested in buying a place in Mexico...if I can afford it.
My hotel room has a view of the dome of the Texas state capitol building...interesting view. If it weren't for the fact that the hotel building and surrounding streets are swarming with members of the organization we are serving, I would try to wander about a little in this area of downtown Austin (if the weather would cooperate).
I'm not in the mood to write. Maybe later.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Illegal Immigration -- A Middle Ground Leftist Right Wing Approach
The debate over immigration in the U.S. is missing some important points.
The deep Republican super-patriots whose brains are infested with WeAreAlwaysRight bacteria don't seem to understand that we can't have it both ways. We can't have locked-tight borders, but continue to have cheap farm labor, cheap highway labor, cheap gardners and maids, and cheap service staff in fast food restaurants, hotels, and other places of business that use and abuse illegal immigrants. These idiots want their cake and they want to eat it, too, but they are using their wrong-headed arguments to suggest that they want to protect our borders and prevent this country from horrors of unimaginable proportions. What they really mean, of course, is they don't want Spanish spoken in the streets and they don't want politically saavy Mexicans and Columbians and Salvadorans in numbers too great to overwhelm with still large numbers of rich, selfish purchasers of political power.
The deep Democrat super-progressives whose brains are infested with the same bacteria don't seem to understand that we can't reasonably allow progressive political viewpoints to ignore practical considerations. If we simply turn a blind eye to illegal immigration, it will escalate and dramatically increase the drain on our social and economic safety nets. We may want to continue to live the promise of the Statue of Liberty, but we must realize that, practically, something has to change.
Here's a plan I like and it has similarities to other plans I've seen from both the left and the right.
1) Illegal immigrants proven to have been involved in felony crimes should be treated much more harshly than citizens or legal immigrants. The protections afforded citizens should be afforded noncitizens, but the punishments should be far harsher.
2) Illegal immigrants who are working at legitimate jobs should be given the opportunity to stay in the U.S. by passing several tests of merit, namely: prove that the immigrant has paid taxes as expected; prove a reasonable command of the English language (despite the fact that we have no official language); prove that the immigrant follows laws such as: maintaining auto insurance as required of auto owners/drivers, etc.; other tests of merit that might make sense.
3) Illegal immigrants must be willing to pay penalties for being in the U.S. illegally in the form of fines, community service, and in other reasonable ways.
4) Illegal immigrants must be willing to name their employers, who in turn must be willing to pay stiff penalties for employing illegal immigrants...but if the employer dismisses the illegal immigrant for "telling" on the employer, the employer's fines would be far stiffer and possibly include draconian measures (e.g., closing the employer's doors, governmental takeover of the employer company, etc.)
5) After a date certain, institute a significant program to drastically penalize companies or individuals that employ illegal immigrants, including mandatory prison time for ANYONE in a company or ANY individual who knowingly employs one or more illegal immigrants.
6) Identify those countries that represent the most significant sources of illegal immigrants and engage those countries in dialogues that lead to U.S. economic support to help those countries establish mechanisms to boost their economies so that immigration to the U.S. would be far less attractive.
7) Establish reasonable annual limits on legal immigration that is based on rational, reasonable criteria.
Obviously, these are simplistic ideas, but I believe that, fundamentally, they can be made to work. Illegal immigration is a problem, if for no other reason than the fact that illegal immigrants are straining our economic resources. It must be addressed. But it must NOT be addressed in ways that utterly ignore the traditions and values of this country. It must NOT be addressed in ways that ignore our own history, a history of wholesale "illegal immigration" by people who, ultimately, stole the entire country from natives who did not give up their land willingly.
Most people who come to this country illegally came here, I believe, not in an effort to ruin a nation, nor in an attempt to "take over" this country. Most, I believe, came here to try to make a better life for themselves and their families. Coming to the U.S. was probably their last best chance to make a decent life for themselves. Sure, there are rotten bastards among them, just as there are rotten bastards who were born here...just look at the White House. But most are decent human beings. We should treat them with the dignity they deserve and the dignity befitting a country founded upon the principles enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
The deep Republican super-patriots whose brains are infested with WeAreAlwaysRight bacteria don't seem to understand that we can't have it both ways. We can't have locked-tight borders, but continue to have cheap farm labor, cheap highway labor, cheap gardners and maids, and cheap service staff in fast food restaurants, hotels, and other places of business that use and abuse illegal immigrants. These idiots want their cake and they want to eat it, too, but they are using their wrong-headed arguments to suggest that they want to protect our borders and prevent this country from horrors of unimaginable proportions. What they really mean, of course, is they don't want Spanish spoken in the streets and they don't want politically saavy Mexicans and Columbians and Salvadorans in numbers too great to overwhelm with still large numbers of rich, selfish purchasers of political power.
The deep Democrat super-progressives whose brains are infested with the same bacteria don't seem to understand that we can't reasonably allow progressive political viewpoints to ignore practical considerations. If we simply turn a blind eye to illegal immigration, it will escalate and dramatically increase the drain on our social and economic safety nets. We may want to continue to live the promise of the Statue of Liberty, but we must realize that, practically, something has to change.
Here's a plan I like and it has similarities to other plans I've seen from both the left and the right.
1) Illegal immigrants proven to have been involved in felony crimes should be treated much more harshly than citizens or legal immigrants. The protections afforded citizens should be afforded noncitizens, but the punishments should be far harsher.
2) Illegal immigrants who are working at legitimate jobs should be given the opportunity to stay in the U.S. by passing several tests of merit, namely: prove that the immigrant has paid taxes as expected; prove a reasonable command of the English language (despite the fact that we have no official language); prove that the immigrant follows laws such as: maintaining auto insurance as required of auto owners/drivers, etc.; other tests of merit that might make sense.
3) Illegal immigrants must be willing to pay penalties for being in the U.S. illegally in the form of fines, community service, and in other reasonable ways.
4) Illegal immigrants must be willing to name their employers, who in turn must be willing to pay stiff penalties for employing illegal immigrants...but if the employer dismisses the illegal immigrant for "telling" on the employer, the employer's fines would be far stiffer and possibly include draconian measures (e.g., closing the employer's doors, governmental takeover of the employer company, etc.)
5) After a date certain, institute a significant program to drastically penalize companies or individuals that employ illegal immigrants, including mandatory prison time for ANYONE in a company or ANY individual who knowingly employs one or more illegal immigrants.
6) Identify those countries that represent the most significant sources of illegal immigrants and engage those countries in dialogues that lead to U.S. economic support to help those countries establish mechanisms to boost their economies so that immigration to the U.S. would be far less attractive.
7) Establish reasonable annual limits on legal immigration that is based on rational, reasonable criteria.
Obviously, these are simplistic ideas, but I believe that, fundamentally, they can be made to work. Illegal immigration is a problem, if for no other reason than the fact that illegal immigrants are straining our economic resources. It must be addressed. But it must NOT be addressed in ways that utterly ignore the traditions and values of this country. It must NOT be addressed in ways that ignore our own history, a history of wholesale "illegal immigration" by people who, ultimately, stole the entire country from natives who did not give up their land willingly.
Most people who come to this country illegally came here, I believe, not in an effort to ruin a nation, nor in an attempt to "take over" this country. Most, I believe, came here to try to make a better life for themselves and their families. Coming to the U.S. was probably their last best chance to make a decent life for themselves. Sure, there are rotten bastards among them, just as there are rotten bastards who were born here...just look at the White House. But most are decent human beings. We should treat them with the dignity they deserve and the dignity befitting a country founded upon the principles enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Off to Bed in Austin
It's just after 10:00 pm. I finished up workday, ending with dinner (at Guero's, a really nice, funky Mexican joint) with a colleague (followed by a last minute visit to Kinko's for some printing) at about 9:00 pm. We arrived in Austin at about 11:00 am this morning and have been at it ever since, first in a Board meeting, then doing prep work for tomorrow's onslaught of registration. We have signs to create, badges to produce, etc., but mostly it's observing this meeting...seeing what they do. Volunteers are running this one. Generally, they are doing a good job, but occasionally I have to cringe and bite my tongue when I hear what they are doing, how much they are spending, etc.
I have an early morning tomorrow, so no excessive blogging tonight. It's the news, a glass of wine, and off to bed.
I have an early morning tomorrow, so no excessive blogging tonight. It's the news, a glass of wine, and off to bed.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Frenzied Preparation for Another Conference
Today was a monster. It started with a 7:15 breakfast meeting with two guys whose company has just bought a company member of an association I manage. They were fishing for information. After bidding them adieu at 8:30, I went to my office to cram 18 hours of preparatory work for a client conference into a shorter timeframe. Those efforts were interrupted by requirements for me to create and distribute blast emails to the members of three client associations...the absence of an administrative staff person has tripled my workload in some respects. But, I got most of it done, so when I left at 7:30 this evening, I was reasonably close to prepared...but I had to come load databases onto my notebook computer, which I'll need at the meeting in Austin.
Of course, as with all out-of-town client events, I have to scramble to wash shirts, pack my suitcase, charge my cell phone, and get my notebook computer prepped. I've probably forgotten something.
I did conduct two interviews today and hired someone, finally. She starts tomorrow. She will be filling an administrative role, but has some nice credentials, which I have yet to check, along with criminal history. A degree in sociology, followed by a Master in Public Administration. She's a very well-spoken woman, probably in her late twenties or early thirties. She is African American and recently moved to Dallas to assist relatives who had lived in New Orleans, but lost everything...she is helping them get back on their feet. I do hope she works out; she tanked the grammar test, but she speaks very articulately and is well-educated...I hope it was just test anxiety.
I'm off tomorrow morning at 6:30 for a drive to Austin. May or may not have internet access, depending on whether my brand new wireless internet card works. The hotel has no wired access.
So, off to bed soon. I may blog while I am away, maybe not.
Of course, as with all out-of-town client events, I have to scramble to wash shirts, pack my suitcase, charge my cell phone, and get my notebook computer prepped. I've probably forgotten something.
I did conduct two interviews today and hired someone, finally. She starts tomorrow. She will be filling an administrative role, but has some nice credentials, which I have yet to check, along with criminal history. A degree in sociology, followed by a Master in Public Administration. She's a very well-spoken woman, probably in her late twenties or early thirties. She is African American and recently moved to Dallas to assist relatives who had lived in New Orleans, but lost everything...she is helping them get back on their feet. I do hope she works out; she tanked the grammar test, but she speaks very articulately and is well-educated...I hope it was just test anxiety.
I'm off tomorrow morning at 6:30 for a drive to Austin. May or may not have internet access, depending on whether my brand new wireless internet card works. The hotel has no wired access.
So, off to bed soon. I may blog while I am away, maybe not.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Demons
The Start
ids, teenagers, are expected to be lost. They are expected to be searching for "their place" in the world. Adults are supposed to know. James Kneeblood was an adult...had been for years and years. But he didn't know his place in the world. He wondered why he was there, why his station in life was what it was, why he married the women he married. He was getting old, but he wasn't getting any wiser. His lack of understanding terrified him. He didn't want to try to talk about it, either, because he thought everyone else around him had long since figured it all out. James behaved as an adult, but he didn't feel like one. He felt like he had been stuck, 40 or 50 years ago, in a state that kept him young, at least in thought.
His bones hurt, his ankles swelled, his hands puffed up and he found it hard to make a fist. It was, he assumed, arthritis or the dozens of pills he took to keep his heart beating. He felt like a 90 year old man, trapped with the mind of a teenager...a teenager who could, at any moment, swell with tears or curse his parents; someone who could fly into a blind fit of rage aimed at someone he loved, in one minute, yet feel unutterable love for that same person with his next breath. He was a hard man to understand. He was a hard man to love. But she loved him anyway. At least she did for a long, long time.
Her feelings may have changed over time, having had to deal with an enraged psycho so many times, a psycho who couldn't control those demons that attacked everyone he loved. She never wanted him dead, but when he mentioned it to her, she didn't object.
ids, teenagers, are expected to be lost. They are expected to be searching for "their place" in the world. Adults are supposed to know. James Kneeblood was an adult...had been for years and years. But he didn't know his place in the world. He wondered why he was there, why his station in life was what it was, why he married the women he married. He was getting old, but he wasn't getting any wiser. His lack of understanding terrified him. He didn't want to try to talk about it, either, because he thought everyone else around him had long since figured it all out. James behaved as an adult, but he didn't feel like one. He felt like he had been stuck, 40 or 50 years ago, in a state that kept him young, at least in thought.
His bones hurt, his ankles swelled, his hands puffed up and he found it hard to make a fist. It was, he assumed, arthritis or the dozens of pills he took to keep his heart beating. He felt like a 90 year old man, trapped with the mind of a teenager...a teenager who could, at any moment, swell with tears or curse his parents; someone who could fly into a blind fit of rage aimed at someone he loved, in one minute, yet feel unutterable love for that same person with his next breath. He was a hard man to understand. He was a hard man to love. But she loved him anyway. At least she did for a long, long time.
Her feelings may have changed over time, having had to deal with an enraged psycho so many times, a psycho who couldn't control those demons that attacked everyone he loved. She never wanted him dead, but when he mentioned it to her, she didn't object.
Marathon
Last night, my wife and I went to see a performance by Bill Maher at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas. It was a shot in the arm to hear the very large crowd respond well to Maher's jabs at Bush and the religious right...Dallas isn't purely right-wing evangelical Republicans, after all. A few people left immediately after he started, objective either to his profanity or his message, but most seemed to enjoy it immensely. We did. It was a great way to cap off an afternoon spent wandering the West End Marketplace, having a margarita (Sangria swirl for my wife) at the Cadillac Cafe and then dinner at RJ Mexican restaurant.
Afterward, we went to the Westin hotel in downtown Dallas, where we used a certificate for a free weekend night. My wife went right to bed, but I stayed up and watched part of Saturday Night Live. After I went to bed, the young women in the next room got to their room and chatted and laughed loudly until at least 2:00 am. When my pounding on the wall did nothing to quiet them, I planned to awaken at 5:00 am and make calls to their room every 15 minutes, but I got up at 7:30 and it appeared they left before I got up. Pity, it would have been fun to have acted like a spiteful teenager and cause them grief and loss of sleep.
Our certificate included breakfast for two in 650 Restaurant, which boasts being the best restaurant in Dallas. It's not, but it's pretty good, at least for breakfast. We both opted to get two poached eggs on an English muffin topped with meat or fish, then topped with a chipotle hollandaise sauce. Wife wife selected the smoked salmon version, I selected the beef tenderloin version. Both were wonderful.
The rest of the day was spent driving about the Dallas area, over to Arlington and beyond, in search of bluebonnets. I had seen many on my recent trip south, but my wife had not and was in the mood to see some. We found only a few, not nearly as lush as the carpets of bluebonnets I had seen...but at least she got to see some. By late afternoon, we were hungry for a late lunch/early dinner, so we stopped at a restaurant we used to frequent years ago when we lived in Arlington, Pham Thi Truoc, or PTT. We had stopped making the long trip back some time ago because they stopped carrying my wife's favorite dish, goat curry. But we decided to stop in again today, just to give it another try. My wife was delighted to see goat curry on the menu and promptly ordered it. I ordered bun (vermicelli noodles) with bean sprouts, sliced green onions, carrot shavings, lettuce, cilantro, and a nicely flavored fish-based sauce, with accompaniments of my choosing...I got the grilled slices of pork and grilled shrimp. When mixed with their excellent very spicy sauce at the table, it was wonderful.
Tomorrow morning, I meet two guys for breakfast to talk about one of our client association's activities, then back to the office to create a number of blast emails for upcoming client events. I have to have name badges, etc. printed for a new client meeting, then pack everything up in time to leave early Tuesday morning for Austin. I really wish I had a technologically saavy meeting planner who could do it all...mine isn't tech saavy at all. People who refuse to keep pace with technology that impacts their jobs should expect, at some point, that the jobs will go to someone else.
Enough. I have work to do before tomorrow's marathon sessions.
Afterward, we went to the Westin hotel in downtown Dallas, where we used a certificate for a free weekend night. My wife went right to bed, but I stayed up and watched part of Saturday Night Live. After I went to bed, the young women in the next room got to their room and chatted and laughed loudly until at least 2:00 am. When my pounding on the wall did nothing to quiet them, I planned to awaken at 5:00 am and make calls to their room every 15 minutes, but I got up at 7:30 and it appeared they left before I got up. Pity, it would have been fun to have acted like a spiteful teenager and cause them grief and loss of sleep.
Our certificate included breakfast for two in 650 Restaurant, which boasts being the best restaurant in Dallas. It's not, but it's pretty good, at least for breakfast. We both opted to get two poached eggs on an English muffin topped with meat or fish, then topped with a chipotle hollandaise sauce. Wife wife selected the smoked salmon version, I selected the beef tenderloin version. Both were wonderful.
The rest of the day was spent driving about the Dallas area, over to Arlington and beyond, in search of bluebonnets. I had seen many on my recent trip south, but my wife had not and was in the mood to see some. We found only a few, not nearly as lush as the carpets of bluebonnets I had seen...but at least she got to see some. By late afternoon, we were hungry for a late lunch/early dinner, so we stopped at a restaurant we used to frequent years ago when we lived in Arlington, Pham Thi Truoc, or PTT. We had stopped making the long trip back some time ago because they stopped carrying my wife's favorite dish, goat curry. But we decided to stop in again today, just to give it another try. My wife was delighted to see goat curry on the menu and promptly ordered it. I ordered bun (vermicelli noodles) with bean sprouts, sliced green onions, carrot shavings, lettuce, cilantro, and a nicely flavored fish-based sauce, with accompaniments of my choosing...I got the grilled slices of pork and grilled shrimp. When mixed with their excellent very spicy sauce at the table, it was wonderful.
Tomorrow morning, I meet two guys for breakfast to talk about one of our client association's activities, then back to the office to create a number of blast emails for upcoming client events. I have to have name badges, etc. printed for a new client meeting, then pack everything up in time to leave early Tuesday morning for Austin. I really wish I had a technologically saavy meeting planner who could do it all...mine isn't tech saavy at all. People who refuse to keep pace with technology that impacts their jobs should expect, at some point, that the jobs will go to someone else.
Enough. I have work to do before tomorrow's marathon sessions.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Late Riser
It's almost 8:30 a.m. and I just got up. I must be very tired; it's very, very rare for me to sleep so late. I would have been able to sleep even later, but the blinds in my bedroom let in too much light to allow me to sleep in...if I had blackout shades, I might still be asleep.
Today, I have to do errands. I have to get my car battery checked, because the car wouldn't start a couple of days ago without a jump...the battery is only 2 years old. I have to look into getting a wireless Internet card for my computer, because the hotel I'll be staying in next week has only wireless Internet access; I'm used to wired access in my hotel rooms...cannot get along without access. I have to take shirts to the cleaners' and pick up others...again, for the trip. Aside from doing my little errands, my wife and I will acts as tourists in downtown Dallas. We'll go downtown later today, check into our hotel, and have an early dinner, followed by an evening with Bill Maher.
Then, tomorrow, we'll have breakfast at the hotel, continue acting as tourists, then come home to do more tedious errands. I have to do more work for my Austin meeting, she needs to catch up on an overflow of financial/accounting work for clients.
The little joys of seeing Bill Maher and being pampered in a nice hotel should outweigh the stresses of work, but they don't seem to be winning out today. I can't get my mind off the work-related stuff this morning. These last few days have been too much. I want a vacation or an early retirement. My yard needs my attention, but won't get it. My house needs my attention, but won't get it.
Spring should be fun. Clients ignore that and, instead, expect more work during this time of year than almost any other. I want to see the wildflowers along the backroads of central Texas. Instead, I'll experience the congestion of IH-35.
Today, I have to do errands. I have to get my car battery checked, because the car wouldn't start a couple of days ago without a jump...the battery is only 2 years old. I have to look into getting a wireless Internet card for my computer, because the hotel I'll be staying in next week has only wireless Internet access; I'm used to wired access in my hotel rooms...cannot get along without access. I have to take shirts to the cleaners' and pick up others...again, for the trip. Aside from doing my little errands, my wife and I will acts as tourists in downtown Dallas. We'll go downtown later today, check into our hotel, and have an early dinner, followed by an evening with Bill Maher.
Then, tomorrow, we'll have breakfast at the hotel, continue acting as tourists, then come home to do more tedious errands. I have to do more work for my Austin meeting, she needs to catch up on an overflow of financial/accounting work for clients.
The little joys of seeing Bill Maher and being pampered in a nice hotel should outweigh the stresses of work, but they don't seem to be winning out today. I can't get my mind off the work-related stuff this morning. These last few days have been too much. I want a vacation or an early retirement. My yard needs my attention, but won't get it. My house needs my attention, but won't get it.
Spring should be fun. Clients ignore that and, instead, expect more work during this time of year than almost any other. I want to see the wildflowers along the backroads of central Texas. Instead, I'll experience the congestion of IH-35.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Quick
Too much work. Not much time to blog. Still looking for staff. Signed a Kinky for Governor petition on the way home from work; stopped at a bar where they had a petition drive, signed the petition, and left. This weekend is taken by celebrations of the 26th anniversary of my wife's and my wedding day. Seeing Bill Maher tomorrow night, staying in a downtown hotel. Should be at the office. Way too much to do. I need to retire.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Anniversary & Employer Woes
Today, my wife and I celebrated our 26th anniversary. I surprised her by ordering 2 dozen yellow roses and having them delivered to her at the office...I should have tried to get 26 roses, but I ordered online and could only get them by the dozen. This evening, we went back to Canary Cafe in Addison, where my wife had Chef Mansour Gorji's famous ribeye steak...it was dubbed best steak in Texas in two consecutive years (at a steak-grilling competition that pits high-end professional chefs against one another). It was good, but I liked my meal even better. I had a wonderfully rare filet mignon topped with a very flavorful gargonzola sauce. Magnificent! Now, both of us, but especially I, need to cut back on our food intake for a few months to make up for all the wonderful food.
I had two interviews scheduled for today for the position in my office I am seeking to fill. The first one simply didn't show up, the second one did...in an odd way. The second one was a 30ish guy who showed up in a nice suit, black shoes, and white socks. When I queried him about the variation in title shown on his resume versus the application he completed, he got very embarrassed, saying it appeared he cut and pasted the job his wife had at his former employer, rather than the one he held. His 67% score on the English grammar and usage test was positively stellar compared to the others I have seen. I need to pay more to get better people to even apply. The problem is I simply cannot afford to. I promised I would pay what I need to pay to get a good administrative assistant...but I can't find one for what I can afford. I'll keep looking.
I had two interviews scheduled for today for the position in my office I am seeking to fill. The first one simply didn't show up, the second one did...in an odd way. The second one was a 30ish guy who showed up in a nice suit, black shoes, and white socks. When I queried him about the variation in title shown on his resume versus the application he completed, he got very embarrassed, saying it appeared he cut and pasted the job his wife had at his former employer, rather than the one he held. His 67% score on the English grammar and usage test was positively stellar compared to the others I have seen. I need to pay more to get better people to even apply. The problem is I simply cannot afford to. I promised I would pay what I need to pay to get a good administrative assistant...but I can't find one for what I can afford. I'll keep looking.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Vote for Kinky Friedman!
Kinky Friedman is running for Governor of Texas as an independent. I'm committed to supporting his candidacy, despite the fact that I think his candidacy is probably quixotic. I'm going to vote for him, though. Lots of reasons. First, I have to sign his petition to be on the ballot as an independent. It's hard to find an opportunity to sign in North Dallas. The redneck republicans in my neighborhood are probably not targets of the petition campaign. But, Friday night I will stop at the Flying Saucer, a bar in north Addison on my way home from work, to sign a petition...I am seriously a supporter and want him on the ballot. The republican canddidate is Rick Perry, the current idiot in office. I haven't a clue who the democrats have to offer...certainly not memorable. Kinky is fresh and independent. I've voted for unelectable candidates before, but this isn't one of those times. He has a chance, I think, because I truly believe...I hope...there are enough Texans who are not pure-bred stupid to realize that republicans are flat-out dangerous and democrats are simply too frightened to act. We need an independent voice, despite the fact that I don't agree with about half his viewpoints. Let's shake up Texas!
Salad Forks and (in)Sanity
First Thoughts
Salad forks. There is absolutely no good reason for the existence of salad forks, from my perspective, other than to line the pockets of companies that sell them and those that provide the raw materials to make them. Who needs a salad fork? Not me, that's for sure! No one needs a salad fork. It annoys me to see resources frittered away on something so utterly, completely unnecessary. I want to start a campaign to stop the use of salad forks. I'll call it Fork Off! Somebody has certainly tried using that tired old thing before, but I have a legitimate cause behind me, so it may work. It's probably not worth my time, but if I could engage a college kid who truly believes that the world can change by eliminating salad forks, I'd engage the kid...I'd support him or her to take responsibility for implementing this Quixotic mission!
Second Thoughts
I had a conversation with James Kneeblood this evening. If you've read a couple of specific posts on this blog, you'll recognize his name. He's a character I created to serve as a focal personality for a short story/novella/novel I am writing very, very slowly. Anyway, he and I chatted tonight. Not literally...don't call in the guys with white coats and stun guns...but figuratively (in a sense). I tried to take on his personality and ask questions of myself (him), the answers to which would reveal motives for certain behaviors and would reveal credible details of why my character might do certain things. I'm probably not explaining myself well. Anyway, I chatted with him. I spoke to him about his daughters' odd names (Poison, Rumour, Mexican, and Cataclysm) and he offered some plausible explanations for the oddities. He offered enough to get me thinking about continuing work on the story. James' sanity should be a question mark for the reader...is he sane, or is he as insane as his odd behaviors suggest? Before he died, was he simply an eccentric old bastard who engaged in questionable behaviors to satisfy his bizarre sexual appetites or was he actually an honorable man who did whatever he had to do to protect his daughters from an as yet unknown villan? I have opinions, of course, but since I haven't finished writing about James and his progeny, I don't know the answers just yet.
Third Thoughts
I was interviewed on film today. It didn't phase me. I hope the snippets the television stations chooses to use from the video of me are not embarrassing. That's all I can ask. I don't expect to get calls from film producers, asking me to take on the role of actors who have become too big for their britches.
Fourth Thoughts
I'm a little disappointed in Michelle Bachelet's government in Chile. While the president abolished obligatory military service (which I applaud in any government), she and her government failed to acknowledge the abysmal problems of air pollution in Santiago last Sunday. The air pollution levels were dangerous, yet it did not declare a "smog alert" which would have allowed it to restrict the use of certain vehicles which contribute to the problem. Michelle, don't make me come down there!
Salad forks. There is absolutely no good reason for the existence of salad forks, from my perspective, other than to line the pockets of companies that sell them and those that provide the raw materials to make them. Who needs a salad fork? Not me, that's for sure! No one needs a salad fork. It annoys me to see resources frittered away on something so utterly, completely unnecessary. I want to start a campaign to stop the use of salad forks. I'll call it Fork Off! Somebody has certainly tried using that tired old thing before, but I have a legitimate cause behind me, so it may work. It's probably not worth my time, but if I could engage a college kid who truly believes that the world can change by eliminating salad forks, I'd engage the kid...I'd support him or her to take responsibility for implementing this Quixotic mission!
Second Thoughts
I had a conversation with James Kneeblood this evening. If you've read a couple of specific posts on this blog, you'll recognize his name. He's a character I created to serve as a focal personality for a short story/novella/novel I am writing very, very slowly. Anyway, he and I chatted tonight. Not literally...don't call in the guys with white coats and stun guns...but figuratively (in a sense). I tried to take on his personality and ask questions of myself (him), the answers to which would reveal motives for certain behaviors and would reveal credible details of why my character might do certain things. I'm probably not explaining myself well. Anyway, I chatted with him. I spoke to him about his daughters' odd names (Poison, Rumour, Mexican, and Cataclysm) and he offered some plausible explanations for the oddities. He offered enough to get me thinking about continuing work on the story. James' sanity should be a question mark for the reader...is he sane, or is he as insane as his odd behaviors suggest? Before he died, was he simply an eccentric old bastard who engaged in questionable behaviors to satisfy his bizarre sexual appetites or was he actually an honorable man who did whatever he had to do to protect his daughters from an as yet unknown villan? I have opinions, of course, but since I haven't finished writing about James and his progeny, I don't know the answers just yet.
Third Thoughts
I was interviewed on film today. It didn't phase me. I hope the snippets the television stations chooses to use from the video of me are not embarrassing. That's all I can ask. I don't expect to get calls from film producers, asking me to take on the role of actors who have become too big for their britches.
Fourth Thoughts
I'm a little disappointed in Michelle Bachelet's government in Chile. While the president abolished obligatory military service (which I applaud in any government), she and her government failed to acknowledge the abysmal problems of air pollution in Santiago last Sunday. The air pollution levels were dangerous, yet it did not declare a "smog alert" which would have allowed it to restrict the use of certain vehicles which contribute to the problem. Michelle, don't make me come down there!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Geezer Whining
Let's see...things are happening in the Geezer's life of late.
First, my wife and I will celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary on Thursday, April 13. We'll go to dinner to one of our favorite places for celebratory events. We've narrowed the options to just a few...still no decision, but it's looking like one of our favorite places (where we went for Valentine's Day...but a different menu), where the Mediterrean chef boasts of his two-year-running victories on the steak-circuit...his steaks were judged best in Texas! On Saturday, we'll pretend to be tourists and will go to downtown Dallas...not sure the plan during the day, but the evening will be at the Majestic Theatre, attending the Bill Maher live event. Sunday, more of the same...touristy stuff...after having a nice breakfast which is part of our hotel package.
Tomorrow, a television station from Oklahoma City will send a news crew to my office to tape an interview with me about the business activitities of one of my client associations. I'm feeling a bit out of sorts about that...I don't know what they are after and am a bit concerned they will twist things on me. Oh well, I've successfully deflected such attempts by the media before, so if it happens, I'm confident I can turn things around. I don't get OKC television at my home in Dallas, so I won't get to see my obese face & neck on TV tomorrow night.
I interviewed more dregs from deep basements today. An applicant achieved a glowing score of 42% on the grammar test...and then proceeded to tell me she knows nothing about Access nor about HTML hard coding, despite the fact that her application claimed she was "highly knowledgeable" about those applications. I wasn't very delicate...I told her I did not have time to waste on applicants who lie on their applications and that there was no job for her at my company. I spent all of ten minutes with her, seven more than I should have. I'm losing patience...these lying pieces of scum do not deserve a glance, much less than an interview. Who in the hell writes their resumes? Some of the people who submit applications/resumes are functionally illiterate...they would have trouble working on road-crews, much less in offices. It annoys me that someone has given them hope of becoming office workers...the only office work of which they are capable is washing coffee cups, if that. I have no problem with people whose only capabilities are in menial jobs, but people who have only that level of capacity, but desire "high level" office work just piss me off.
My car battery is signalling me...my car wouldn't start without a jump yesterday. I should take the sign and visit a place to have the battery checked, but I am just too busy. Today, I left my office after 7:00 pm, after arriving this morning at 7:15. That's just too much for a Geezer. I want to work 10-Noon, once a week. My pay requirements are $200 million per year. Do you know of any 104 hour work year jobs that pay that much? Anyway, back to the car...I have spent so damn much on the machine I dare not get rid of it...but it seems to be taunting me! I want a Honda Element or a Honda CRV. Don't know why, I just do. Also, a replacement Toyota Avalon, stuffed to the gills with goodies. And a nice pickup. I only need three cars...but I would kind of like a Honda sports convertible, too, just for the weekends.
I've decided my brother and his wife who live in Mexico should consider building a compound in Falba with the money they will save by not building a granny flat in Oregon. They can still outfit the basement of her daughter's house as a summer refuge, but the money they save could be combined with mine and another sister's to build a right-nice compound, complete with private living quarters and private entries to a well-protected spot in the country. I'll have to suggest it.
My travel schedule is turning into a rude, bad-tempered bitch. Next week, I have to go to Austin for the meeting of a new client. Then, on May 5, I head out on a long, convoluted trip to Dubrovnik, returning more than a week later. Then, immediately after the 4th of July, I'm off to Naperville, Illinois outside of Chicago for another client meeting, possibly incorporating a strategic planning session which will keep me much longer than I'd hoped. In August, dates unknown, I am off to Boston for my professional association meeting. I think I have some meetings in the intervening weeks and months, but I am not sure...I just feel overwhelmed. I used to enjoy travel, but now I enjoy travel only if it's for my personal enjoyment, with no business connection.
My Austin trip could be good. It might provide the impetus to launch a new entrepreneurial endeavor. I want to get into another business...an additional business...that involves products. I want to launch a hundred new businesses. Why the hell did I not act on all these entrepreneurial desires 30 years ago? It's annoying...I will never catch up to all the money I need to have to be able to retire before I reach the age of 167.
It is 9:39 PM. I always try to sign off before 1:00 AM, and this timeframe fits the bill.
First, my wife and I will celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary on Thursday, April 13. We'll go to dinner to one of our favorite places for celebratory events. We've narrowed the options to just a few...still no decision, but it's looking like one of our favorite places (where we went for Valentine's Day...but a different menu), where the Mediterrean chef boasts of his two-year-running victories on the steak-circuit...his steaks were judged best in Texas! On Saturday, we'll pretend to be tourists and will go to downtown Dallas...not sure the plan during the day, but the evening will be at the Majestic Theatre, attending the Bill Maher live event. Sunday, more of the same...touristy stuff...after having a nice breakfast which is part of our hotel package.
Tomorrow, a television station from Oklahoma City will send a news crew to my office to tape an interview with me about the business activitities of one of my client associations. I'm feeling a bit out of sorts about that...I don't know what they are after and am a bit concerned they will twist things on me. Oh well, I've successfully deflected such attempts by the media before, so if it happens, I'm confident I can turn things around. I don't get OKC television at my home in Dallas, so I won't get to see my obese face & neck on TV tomorrow night.
I interviewed more dregs from deep basements today. An applicant achieved a glowing score of 42% on the grammar test...and then proceeded to tell me she knows nothing about Access nor about HTML hard coding, despite the fact that her application claimed she was "highly knowledgeable" about those applications. I wasn't very delicate...I told her I did not have time to waste on applicants who lie on their applications and that there was no job for her at my company. I spent all of ten minutes with her, seven more than I should have. I'm losing patience...these lying pieces of scum do not deserve a glance, much less than an interview. Who in the hell writes their resumes? Some of the people who submit applications/resumes are functionally illiterate...they would have trouble working on road-crews, much less in offices. It annoys me that someone has given them hope of becoming office workers...the only office work of which they are capable is washing coffee cups, if that. I have no problem with people whose only capabilities are in menial jobs, but people who have only that level of capacity, but desire "high level" office work just piss me off.
My car battery is signalling me...my car wouldn't start without a jump yesterday. I should take the sign and visit a place to have the battery checked, but I am just too busy. Today, I left my office after 7:00 pm, after arriving this morning at 7:15. That's just too much for a Geezer. I want to work 10-Noon, once a week. My pay requirements are $200 million per year. Do you know of any 104 hour work year jobs that pay that much? Anyway, back to the car...I have spent so damn much on the machine I dare not get rid of it...but it seems to be taunting me! I want a Honda Element or a Honda CRV. Don't know why, I just do. Also, a replacement Toyota Avalon, stuffed to the gills with goodies. And a nice pickup. I only need three cars...but I would kind of like a Honda sports convertible, too, just for the weekends.
I've decided my brother and his wife who live in Mexico should consider building a compound in Falba with the money they will save by not building a granny flat in Oregon. They can still outfit the basement of her daughter's house as a summer refuge, but the money they save could be combined with mine and another sister's to build a right-nice compound, complete with private living quarters and private entries to a well-protected spot in the country. I'll have to suggest it.
My travel schedule is turning into a rude, bad-tempered bitch. Next week, I have to go to Austin for the meeting of a new client. Then, on May 5, I head out on a long, convoluted trip to Dubrovnik, returning more than a week later. Then, immediately after the 4th of July, I'm off to Naperville, Illinois outside of Chicago for another client meeting, possibly incorporating a strategic planning session which will keep me much longer than I'd hoped. In August, dates unknown, I am off to Boston for my professional association meeting. I think I have some meetings in the intervening weeks and months, but I am not sure...I just feel overwhelmed. I used to enjoy travel, but now I enjoy travel only if it's for my personal enjoyment, with no business connection.
My Austin trip could be good. It might provide the impetus to launch a new entrepreneurial endeavor. I want to get into another business...an additional business...that involves products. I want to launch a hundred new businesses. Why the hell did I not act on all these entrepreneurial desires 30 years ago? It's annoying...I will never catch up to all the money I need to have to be able to retire before I reach the age of 167.
It is 9:39 PM. I always try to sign off before 1:00 AM, and this timeframe fits the bill.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Busy Radical Fringe Thoughts and Wishful Behavior
As expected, today was extremely busy. A conference call with a client officer (another officer flaked), an interview with a prospective staff member (not bloody likely, after her 57% score on an English usage exam), lunch with the former CEO of a couple of very big local associations (i.e., budgets of nearly $20 million) who recently lost his 3-year-old job with a big organization, dozens of emails with client officers, etc., etc., etc. Plus, work on a registration system for our newest client. I should have made $10,000 today, minimum, for my efforts...but it will translate into more like $500, if that. Pain in the ass!
This evening, I got an email from a staffer who "assumes" I want her to go to our new client meeting next week (after I mentioned to her that the client got us sleeping rooms for Tuesday through Friday), but she has other commitments that she will find hard to break, including a charity luncheon on Tuesday, when I'll be attending a Board meeting at noon. I expressed my dismay and responded that she was, indeed, expected to attend, all the time, and that her charity event could do without her, as could the other commitments. She is the one who seems to think her work schedule is her time to schedule, not mine. My response explained clearly that she is to schedule her work time on my calendar, with my permission...and she is, by god, expected in Austin on Tuesday when I arrive, since we're driving, not flying. If that doesn't work, then she doesn't work. I've reached my limit; I run my company, I set the schedule...my staff does not. If they must set their own schedules, they must pay their own bills, pay their own salaries, cover their own medical coverage, rent their own office space, etc. My Republican attitudes surface quickly when someone who feels she should control her own destiny steps across my requirements...she can control her own schedule and her own destiny, but not on my nickel.
I think I may be turning Republican! But, then, I turn on the TV and see the massive protests by Hispanics about idiotic immigration reform and I say, "No" to Republicanism. I support immigrants. Sure, we need to control our borders, but we cannot say "we need cheap labor, but we can't let them in...and if they come, they're criminals, but (wink), let's just not catch them." What bullshit! We do need to control our borders...one of the best ways to do it is to provide financial and business support to other countries so they can generate their own jobs and make moving to America less appealing. Let's all comprehend that a reduction in illegal immigration will increase the price of okra & tomatoes & lettuce & peaches & highway construction...and just live with it! People should be paid for their work...based on the value of their work. Frankly, the efforts of a guy laying highway asphalt are probably more valuable, in real terms, than the efforts of a guy running an association management company. I mean, which would create more aggravation, the disappearance of associations or the disappearance of highway maintenance?
I want the freedom to say what I think publicly...this bullshit of expressing my opinions on a web blog that doesn't identify the author is...bullshit! I should be willing to risk my clients by saying what I think. I do, ocassionally. A gay couple involved with one of our clients is coming to visit Dallas soon...I learned by accident that their politics are much like mine, and I immediately developed more regard for them. So, I expressed to one of the guys my personal opinions about George Bush. I love it...they believe Bush is a Hitler-equivalent who stole one election and steeped the public in idiocy to get the 2nd. I may overdo my views with them, though, inasmuch as I have expressed my belief in preemptive protective-euthanasia for certain of our "leaders." I think they believe I am a little on the radical fringe. Maybe I am. Shit, SOMEBODY has to be!
This evening, I got an email from a staffer who "assumes" I want her to go to our new client meeting next week (after I mentioned to her that the client got us sleeping rooms for Tuesday through Friday), but she has other commitments that she will find hard to break, including a charity luncheon on Tuesday, when I'll be attending a Board meeting at noon. I expressed my dismay and responded that she was, indeed, expected to attend, all the time, and that her charity event could do without her, as could the other commitments. She is the one who seems to think her work schedule is her time to schedule, not mine. My response explained clearly that she is to schedule her work time on my calendar, with my permission...and she is, by god, expected in Austin on Tuesday when I arrive, since we're driving, not flying. If that doesn't work, then she doesn't work. I've reached my limit; I run my company, I set the schedule...my staff does not. If they must set their own schedules, they must pay their own bills, pay their own salaries, cover their own medical coverage, rent their own office space, etc. My Republican attitudes surface quickly when someone who feels she should control her own destiny steps across my requirements...she can control her own schedule and her own destiny, but not on my nickel.
I think I may be turning Republican! But, then, I turn on the TV and see the massive protests by Hispanics about idiotic immigration reform and I say, "No" to Republicanism. I support immigrants. Sure, we need to control our borders, but we cannot say "we need cheap labor, but we can't let them in...and if they come, they're criminals, but (wink), let's just not catch them." What bullshit! We do need to control our borders...one of the best ways to do it is to provide financial and business support to other countries so they can generate their own jobs and make moving to America less appealing. Let's all comprehend that a reduction in illegal immigration will increase the price of okra & tomatoes & lettuce & peaches & highway construction...and just live with it! People should be paid for their work...based on the value of their work. Frankly, the efforts of a guy laying highway asphalt are probably more valuable, in real terms, than the efforts of a guy running an association management company. I mean, which would create more aggravation, the disappearance of associations or the disappearance of highway maintenance?
I want the freedom to say what I think publicly...this bullshit of expressing my opinions on a web blog that doesn't identify the author is...bullshit! I should be willing to risk my clients by saying what I think. I do, ocassionally. A gay couple involved with one of our clients is coming to visit Dallas soon...I learned by accident that their politics are much like mine, and I immediately developed more regard for them. So, I expressed to one of the guys my personal opinions about George Bush. I love it...they believe Bush is a Hitler-equivalent who stole one election and steeped the public in idiocy to get the 2nd. I may overdo my views with them, though, inasmuch as I have expressed my belief in preemptive protective-euthanasia for certain of our "leaders." I think they believe I am a little on the radical fringe. Maybe I am. Shit, SOMEBODY has to be!
Sunday, April 9, 2006
Commercial Kitchens and Lots of Food and Conversation
I'm out of the habit of daily blogging. Computer viruses, long workdays, and tight schedules took me away from my blog, but I'll get back into it.
This morning, I woke up about 7:00 am, despite staying up late (though admittedly falling asleep in front of the television for awhile) after having a great meal with my brother. We had bacon-wrapped filet mignon, along with grilled pork & venison sausage and baked potatoes, grilled jalapeños, and such...after starting with a nice guacamole with extra lime juice and some diced jalapeños for extra zip. I ate far too much, but it was very good stuff and I promised myself I would fast soon...I just need to schedule it. We each had drinks, as well, and I had too much...I felt it this morning and still feel it.
We had a great time just shooting the breeze, talking about how and whether to develop the few acres where he lives, and related "stuff" that's easy and fun to talk and dream and plan about. We spoke with one of my sisters by telephone, too, and agreed we would all think about ways to generate money for a family compound...somewhere.
I had to leave early this morning to get back to Dallas in time to visit with a guy with whom I've had several conversations about a business he operates as a sideline...providing commercial kitchen space on an hourly basis. I have no experience with such things, but it intrigues me. I think it has enormous potential, perhaps as a franchise...so I wanted to meet him and talk about it. I have a trip scheduled to Austin, where he lives and operates his business, in juste over a week, so we agreed I would give him a call while I am there and visit the commercial kitchen operation. I'm not sure why I think I have time for such things...I have far too many irons in the fire at the moment; but I will find the time. It's an interesting concept and may have potential for me, though I do not yet know how.
Tomorrow will be a very, very, very busy day for me. I expect to have to work late after starting very early. That's par for the course after being away from my office for several days, particularly when some of those days were sans computer and Internet connectivity.
Back to the grind.
This morning, I woke up about 7:00 am, despite staying up late (though admittedly falling asleep in front of the television for awhile) after having a great meal with my brother. We had bacon-wrapped filet mignon, along with grilled pork & venison sausage and baked potatoes, grilled jalapeños, and such...after starting with a nice guacamole with extra lime juice and some diced jalapeños for extra zip. I ate far too much, but it was very good stuff and I promised myself I would fast soon...I just need to schedule it. We each had drinks, as well, and I had too much...I felt it this morning and still feel it.
We had a great time just shooting the breeze, talking about how and whether to develop the few acres where he lives, and related "stuff" that's easy and fun to talk and dream and plan about. We spoke with one of my sisters by telephone, too, and agreed we would all think about ways to generate money for a family compound...somewhere.
I had to leave early this morning to get back to Dallas in time to visit with a guy with whom I've had several conversations about a business he operates as a sideline...providing commercial kitchen space on an hourly basis. I have no experience with such things, but it intrigues me. I think it has enormous potential, perhaps as a franchise...so I wanted to meet him and talk about it. I have a trip scheduled to Austin, where he lives and operates his business, in juste over a week, so we agreed I would give him a call while I am there and visit the commercial kitchen operation. I'm not sure why I think I have time for such things...I have far too many irons in the fire at the moment; but I will find the time. It's an interesting concept and may have potential for me, though I do not yet know how.
Tomorrow will be a very, very, very busy day for me. I expect to have to work late after starting very early. That's par for the course after being away from my office for several days, particularly when some of those days were sans computer and Internet connectivity.
Back to the grind.
Friday, April 7, 2006
Computer Viruses and Short Naps
I'm sitting in my hotel room in The Woodlands, Texas, using my notebook computer again, finally, after having a bad experience with a virus taking it out of commission. It was Tuesday night, very late, that somehow a virus found its way in to the computer (while I was asleep), causing it to crash, knocking out programs, preventing me from Internet access, etc. I brought it with me to The Woodlands, anyway, hoping I could find someone to fix it. As it turned out, the hotel sales manager has a neighbor who is chief information officer for a major corporation, so the sales manager called him about it. So, last night, the hotel guy took my computer home with him and he brought it back this morning, along with a bill for $200. I was happy to pay it; it would have cost much more in lost productivity and time had I gone out looking for someone to fix it. I had already tried my hand at it...and failed.
Tomorrow afternoon, I will leave the meeting clean-up to my staff and will go north to Falba to visit a brother.
This business of getting up at 5:00 am, starting to work at 6:15 am and finishing at 7:00 pm or later is for the birds. I'm going to kick back and relax, then a short night's sleep again.
Tomorrow afternoon, I will leave the meeting clean-up to my staff and will go north to Falba to visit a brother.
This business of getting up at 5:00 am, starting to work at 6:15 am and finishing at 7:00 pm or later is for the birds. I'm going to kick back and relax, then a short night's sleep again.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Packing
I should be packing, but instead I'm sitting in front of my computer, having just re-read an item about a diversity festival in Huntsville, Texas not long ago. I've been wandering through the Internet, drifting from topic to topic, allowing myself to get engaged in thought about funny ideas, tragedies, wonderfully happy things, ways individuals can have big positive impacts on the environment, dogs, and endless other things. It's time for me to pack my bags, because I'm heading south tomorrow. Not far enough, but south. I'm off to a client conference in The Woodlands, Texas. The association is an allied healthcare group. To date, registration is 725, including one-day registrants, exhibitors, students, interns, etc. But that's not chicken feed...most of our events are smaller. This meeting is not particularly complex, in most respects, and does not incorporate nearly the level of social networking that most groups we manage plan for their events. So, it's not a challenge...again, not in most respects. If a computer breaks down, or boxes don't arrive as scheduled from Fed-Ex, etc., things can get dicey. But generally, this client's meeting is pretty straightforward. I hope this meeting follows suit.
I will bid my adieus from the meeting as close to noon Saturday as I can and will retreat north to Falba, for barbeque and booze and conversation with a brother who lives "in the rurals" about 15 miles north of Huntsville. Then, early Sunday morning I head north.
I need, really need, to have a weekend that I can dedicate to my house and yard. I need a weekend when I won't feel compelled to go to lunch with my wife or go shopping with her. If I could get such a weekend, and had a bit of help, I could get a lot done in my yard that desperately needs doing. I might even get back in the habit of doing yardwork. I've hired it out for what seems like an eternity and have almost lost all interest in doing it, but much prefer the way my yard looks when I do the work than to the way it looks when done by hired hands who don't give a shit.
My wine is getting warm...a nice, light sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. So, I'll have to drink it down, refresh the glass, and start packing.
I will bid my adieus from the meeting as close to noon Saturday as I can and will retreat north to Falba, for barbeque and booze and conversation with a brother who lives "in the rurals" about 15 miles north of Huntsville. Then, early Sunday morning I head north.
I need, really need, to have a weekend that I can dedicate to my house and yard. I need a weekend when I won't feel compelled to go to lunch with my wife or go shopping with her. If I could get such a weekend, and had a bit of help, I could get a lot done in my yard that desperately needs doing. I might even get back in the habit of doing yardwork. I've hired it out for what seems like an eternity and have almost lost all interest in doing it, but much prefer the way my yard looks when I do the work than to the way it looks when done by hired hands who don't give a shit.
My wine is getting warm...a nice, light sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. So, I'll have to drink it down, refresh the glass, and start packing.
Monday, April 3, 2006
Travel in Mexico
I didn't hear this piece on NPR, but found it on the NPR website. If you're interested in Mexico, this might be right up your alley:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5317783
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5317783
Long Day, A Lot Done
Oh, MAN, today was a long one! I woke up earlier than normal, though not by much, because I needed to do some last-minute preparation for a visit by two leaders of a new client association, a statewide professional society. I had to do some work for other clients before they arrived, so I was going at it at 120% from the moment I walked into my office. Once they got there, we reviewed some questions they had about the management contract I had presented to them, got those resolved, and immediately went into discussions of what needs to be done when...their annual conference is taking place in Austin in just about three weeks and my staff and I will have to go at hot and heavy to meet some deadlines. But we can't start yet, as I have another client association meeting in The Woodlands, starting on Wednesday. And there's plenty yet to do for that meeting.
Anyway, we reviewed information about the association for about three and a half hours, reviewed files on diskettes they brought, and talked about how to implement the transition. Then, lunch at my favorite little Mexican restaurant near the office...a hole in the wall...cheap and good. Then, they left. And I switched gears to focus on some other association clients, do more clean-up, create a web page for the new client (promoting its exhibitors), and do all sorts of other stuff. The day sped by.
Before I knew it, it was almost 6:00 pm, time for yet another association's board to meet in our building conference room. I've been sending messages to the president, telling him that the 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm monthly meetings have been starting late, running long, and generally pissing me off. He promised to have the meetings start on time and end on time...and to cut the idle chatter. They rotate who leads their meetings, but the message found its way to the guy doing tonight's meeting...he started the meeting on time, made a point of saying it would end on time, and he actually ended it 15 minutes early. It was early enough that I was able to rush home after the meeting and miss only a minute or two of 24, my favorite television program (the only one I watch with any degree of regularity). Tonight, we learned that the bumbling, do-nothing president who took office only after the assassination of his predecessor, the first Black president, was involved in his predecessor's assassination. It's an incredibly fast-moving program, so utterly implausible, but so very entertaining!
Anyway, after all that, I'm beat. I probably will give blogging a rest for the next few days, but it may be a habit I can't easily break.
When I leave my client meeting next Saturday afternoon, I'll head to Falba, Texas for a visit with one of my brothers. It's on the way home and I don't want to try to make it all the way back to Dallas after the meeting's over. But I'll have to leave early the next day to get back to Dallas in time to meet with a guy about a commercial kitchen concept...renting commercial kitchen space to budding chefs, caterers, and others who want or need lots of kitchen space, excellent commercial equipment, and a place to show off their talents. It may go nowhere...it may create a new business direction for me. Probably the former.
OK, I'm tired. Off to vegetate in front of the television and allow myself to be spoon-fed news that suits the political sensibilities of stations' management.
Anyway, we reviewed information about the association for about three and a half hours, reviewed files on diskettes they brought, and talked about how to implement the transition. Then, lunch at my favorite little Mexican restaurant near the office...a hole in the wall...cheap and good. Then, they left. And I switched gears to focus on some other association clients, do more clean-up, create a web page for the new client (promoting its exhibitors), and do all sorts of other stuff. The day sped by.
Before I knew it, it was almost 6:00 pm, time for yet another association's board to meet in our building conference room. I've been sending messages to the president, telling him that the 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm monthly meetings have been starting late, running long, and generally pissing me off. He promised to have the meetings start on time and end on time...and to cut the idle chatter. They rotate who leads their meetings, but the message found its way to the guy doing tonight's meeting...he started the meeting on time, made a point of saying it would end on time, and he actually ended it 15 minutes early. It was early enough that I was able to rush home after the meeting and miss only a minute or two of 24, my favorite television program (the only one I watch with any degree of regularity). Tonight, we learned that the bumbling, do-nothing president who took office only after the assassination of his predecessor, the first Black president, was involved in his predecessor's assassination. It's an incredibly fast-moving program, so utterly implausible, but so very entertaining!
Anyway, after all that, I'm beat. I probably will give blogging a rest for the next few days, but it may be a habit I can't easily break.
When I leave my client meeting next Saturday afternoon, I'll head to Falba, Texas for a visit with one of my brothers. It's on the way home and I don't want to try to make it all the way back to Dallas after the meeting's over. But I'll have to leave early the next day to get back to Dallas in time to meet with a guy about a commercial kitchen concept...renting commercial kitchen space to budding chefs, caterers, and others who want or need lots of kitchen space, excellent commercial equipment, and a place to show off their talents. It may go nowhere...it may create a new business direction for me. Probably the former.
OK, I'm tired. Off to vegetate in front of the television and allow myself to be spoon-fed news that suits the political sensibilities of stations' management.
Sunday, April 2, 2006
Courage?
You'll regret more what you did not do, than what you did.
I don't know to whom that quote...or that concept...should be attributed, but I know it sounds to me like wisdom in words. I want to move to Mexico. I want to visit Chile. I want to have a deck built in my back yard. I want to sell my home and travel the country in an RV. I want to devote every minute to making my wife happy.
I've not done any of these things. Some of them are contradictory. It doesn't matter. None of us should have regrets that we could have avoided. I can avoid having regrets; you reading this blog, whoever you are, can avoid having them, too. Taking action, not denying wishes, has legs. Walk. Do you have the courage? Do I? It's silly and stupid to take action based entirely on wishes, but it is just as silly and stupid not taking action based entirely on fear or, worse, inertia.
It's easier taking the safe path. I think it's more rewarding, though, taking the path of adventure and the unknown. I need to convince myself. I need to convince my wife. The idea of dying while I'm still involved with my company is horrific and embarrassing. Do I have the courage to change and risk dying forty years hence, satisfied?
I don't know to whom that quote...or that concept...should be attributed, but I know it sounds to me like wisdom in words. I want to move to Mexico. I want to visit Chile. I want to have a deck built in my back yard. I want to sell my home and travel the country in an RV. I want to devote every minute to making my wife happy.
I've not done any of these things. Some of them are contradictory. It doesn't matter. None of us should have regrets that we could have avoided. I can avoid having regrets; you reading this blog, whoever you are, can avoid having them, too. Taking action, not denying wishes, has legs. Walk. Do you have the courage? Do I? It's silly and stupid to take action based entirely on wishes, but it is just as silly and stupid not taking action based entirely on fear or, worse, inertia.
It's easier taking the safe path. I think it's more rewarding, though, taking the path of adventure and the unknown. I need to convince myself. I need to convince my wife. The idea of dying while I'm still involved with my company is horrific and embarrassing. Do I have the courage to change and risk dying forty years hence, satisfied?
If I Could Control Temperatures...etc.
Summer arrived early in Dallas. Today's high, if indeed it gets no hotter, reached 92 degrees. It's April 2. Temperatures reached 92. This is a bad sign. I can tolerate 92, but it portends a miserable summer ahead, with temperatures climbing into the triple digits and, quite possibly, staying there for weeks and weeks. In 1997 or 1998, I think there were 45 consecutive days when the temperature reached over 100. When temperatures go over 100 degrees, the north Texas climate reminds us all that no one should have ever settled here.
If I could, I would exercise some control over the temperatures in north Texas. I would start by setting an upper limit, a point beyond which temperatures simply would not be permitted to go. That limit would probably be 87. I'd set a limit on the number of days that limit could be reached each year...five days. I'd also establish an average annual daytime high temperature...probably about 72 degrees. My control over evening temperatures would make living in Dallas much more appealing. Nighttime temperatures during most of the year would bottom out at about 50 degrees, maybe a bit higher. But if I had to permit temperatures to fall lower to control insects (mosquitoes and flies, mostly), I would be willing to do it. One of my objectives in controlling temperatures would be to eliminate the need for air conditioning...we could leave the windows open year-round, if I were in charge of meteorological phenomena. No bugs, nice temperatures. Living in Texas would be tolerable.
Well, I'd have to figure out a way to control politics and religion to really make it tolerable. I'm not sure how I'll do it by controlling temperatures. Maybe I need some additional powers...yeah, that's what I need. It might take some time to achieve the desired outcome (a socially progressive state in which private religious beliefs are tolerated, but not encouraged, and certainly frowned upon when included in public debate), but I'd probably start with the schools. Any teacher who does not possess adequate communication skills (I'll be the judge) will be terminated.
Administrators will be rewarded not for children achieving specific scores on tests but for children being able to demonstrate critical thought processes and knowledge about subjects that matter (to me and a few others).
Religious people will be allowed to speak publicly of their religious beliefs and their religions only if certify that they share Bill Moyers' sense of the role of religion in politics.
I've only just begun to think about how life in north Texas would change if only I could control the weather. Isn't it interesting that such control could begat additional powers? And isn't it stunning to think of the possibilities those powers could offer? Frankly, it might be easier, and far more attainable, to leave this godforsaken hell-on-earth for more friendly political, social, and meteorological climes.
Mexico? Chile? Wisconsin? (Summers...just summers.)
Damn! I'm missing The West Wing! Gotta go!
If I could, I would exercise some control over the temperatures in north Texas. I would start by setting an upper limit, a point beyond which temperatures simply would not be permitted to go. That limit would probably be 87. I'd set a limit on the number of days that limit could be reached each year...five days. I'd also establish an average annual daytime high temperature...probably about 72 degrees. My control over evening temperatures would make living in Dallas much more appealing. Nighttime temperatures during most of the year would bottom out at about 50 degrees, maybe a bit higher. But if I had to permit temperatures to fall lower to control insects (mosquitoes and flies, mostly), I would be willing to do it. One of my objectives in controlling temperatures would be to eliminate the need for air conditioning...we could leave the windows open year-round, if I were in charge of meteorological phenomena. No bugs, nice temperatures. Living in Texas would be tolerable.
Well, I'd have to figure out a way to control politics and religion to really make it tolerable. I'm not sure how I'll do it by controlling temperatures. Maybe I need some additional powers...yeah, that's what I need. It might take some time to achieve the desired outcome (a socially progressive state in which private religious beliefs are tolerated, but not encouraged, and certainly frowned upon when included in public debate), but I'd probably start with the schools. Any teacher who does not possess adequate communication skills (I'll be the judge) will be terminated.
Administrators will be rewarded not for children achieving specific scores on tests but for children being able to demonstrate critical thought processes and knowledge about subjects that matter (to me and a few others).
Religious people will be allowed to speak publicly of their religious beliefs and their religions only if certify that they share Bill Moyers' sense of the role of religion in politics.
I've only just begun to think about how life in north Texas would change if only I could control the weather. Isn't it interesting that such control could begat additional powers? And isn't it stunning to think of the possibilities those powers could offer? Frankly, it might be easier, and far more attainable, to leave this godforsaken hell-on-earth for more friendly political, social, and meteorological climes.
Mexico? Chile? Wisconsin? (Summers...just summers.)
Damn! I'm missing The West Wing! Gotta go!
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Good Neighbors
I just watched the first episode of a very old (mid 1970s) British comedy series that I first saw when it was new. It's called Good Neighbors, though I believe it was called Country Matters when I first saw it when I lived in Houston many years ago. It was originally called The Good Life in England. I highly recommend it. If you can watch, do...you won't regret it!
The premise is simple, as described on BBC's website:
The show had an irresistible premise: a middle-class suburban couple, Tom (Richard Briers) and Barbara Good )Felicity Kendal), decide to go back to the land and turn their Surbiton home into a self-sufficient farm-cum-allotment, growing their own food, keeping animals and making their own tools and equipment. This creates friction with their neighbours, especially the Leadbetters, located next door, prime examples of the gin-and-tonic set. In addition to a wealth of good storylines, it was the interplay between the two couples that really gave the show its appeal. It would have been easy for the writers to use Margo's snobbery and domination of her husband to simply set up the Leadbetters in the role of villains, constantly at odds with their idealistic neighbours, but the authors were more clever than this and instead drew a real affection between the couples.
I really enjoyed the program when it ran back when I lived in Houston. Seeing the first episode again tonight made me fall in love with Felicity Kendal all over again...she's the ideal wife (absent the perfect wife I have now, of course) for a man who wants to do something crazy like drop out of the rat race.
The premise is simple, as described on BBC's website:
The show had an irresistible premise: a middle-class suburban couple, Tom (Richard Briers) and Barbara Good )Felicity Kendal), decide to go back to the land and turn their Surbiton home into a self-sufficient farm-cum-allotment, growing their own food, keeping animals and making their own tools and equipment. This creates friction with their neighbours, especially the Leadbetters, located next door, prime examples of the gin-and-tonic set. In addition to a wealth of good storylines, it was the interplay between the two couples that really gave the show its appeal. It would have been easy for the writers to use Margo's snobbery and domination of her husband to simply set up the Leadbetters in the role of villains, constantly at odds with their idealistic neighbours, but the authors were more clever than this and instead drew a real affection between the couples.
I really enjoyed the program when it ran back when I lived in Houston. Seeing the first episode again tonight made me fall in love with Felicity Kendal all over again...she's the ideal wife (absent the perfect wife I have now, of course) for a man who wants to do something crazy like drop out of the rat race.
Screaming Tomatoes
So, here's the plan. I go to the office this morning, focus entirely on preparing a database management package that will enable staff to simply click on buttons to register people for our upcoming event...and then press buttons to print badges, etc. If it weren't for the pressure of getting it right and doing it now, it might be fun. I've come to enjoy testing my Microsoft Access skills. But I prefer to just "play" at it, rather than have someone depend on my abilities. Oh, well, I have no control over that at the moment, so I'll just deal with it.
I've only had a fraction of my normal Saturday morning coffee and won't have much more. Gotta leave for the office. I am, though, broiling some tomatoes so I can have a quick breakfast before I got. Broiled tomatoes are wonderful...with the right spices.
After my database games, I have to prepare for my new client visit on Monday...making the office look more presentable. Too bad I can't have a new hire on board when they visit.
Hark! I hear tomatoes screaming...that means they are nearly ready to be consumed.
I've only had a fraction of my normal Saturday morning coffee and won't have much more. Gotta leave for the office. I am, though, broiling some tomatoes so I can have a quick breakfast before I got. Broiled tomatoes are wonderful...with the right spices.
After my database games, I have to prepare for my new client visit on Monday...making the office look more presentable. Too bad I can't have a new hire on board when they visit.
Hark! I hear tomatoes screaming...that means they are nearly ready to be consumed.