Ding!
On occasion I have used this blog as a vehicle to vent. The previous rants ironically were vehicle related as is this one. I can go back 27 years to a morning at Denny’s in Stockton California. It was 1983 and I know it well because I had just purchased my first vehicle. It was a brand new 1984 Nissan Truck. It was the first year for the new official Nissan name. The truck had both Nissan and Datsun on the tailgate. Funny the things we remember. As I was sitting enjoying breakfast I witnessed my first Ding! I was livid! I ran outside the restaurant and pointed out the new truck with temporary plates and asked “are you an idiot?” or something to that effect. Keep in mind I was a mere 21 year old lacking any diplomacy or tact. Such a confrontation today would present itself much differently. As I recall my breakfast was paid for and I was given $100 for the damage. Would I get breakfast and $100 today?
Good Sport
Yes it is, it’s me Mr. Blue with Joe Vandal at the 2009 H-Bowl. Idaho had an amazing come from behind one point victory over Bowling Green on the Blue Turf. Good Sport – Yes I was! Can I say “Go Broncos” while standing with JV?
Beginings and Endings
Monday is the first work day of what I hope to be my last full decade of employment. It’s very hard to believe that 30 years ago I entered the Air Force and began what I will call my professional working years. Three decades of growth, learning, mistakes, accomplishments, changes in my personal and business life. Funny thoughts as I look back to New Years eve 30 years ago at the Oakland Arena with my brother at a Tom Petty concert bringing in the 80’s. My life was so full of possibilities and I was ready to face them head on.
Today as I look ahead to the next chapter and to what I hope to be my last full decade of working. I want to enjoy my job/career/employment. I hope to wake up with the willingness to go to work. I know kind of weird to have gone the last thirty years with each decade representing a specific chapter in my life, three decades and three chapters. Each chapter and decade has been full of many great memories and a few of the not so great memories.
Reflections and Thankfulness
It has become a holiday tradition to share what we are thankful for at the dinner table while we serve up the feast of thanksgiving. This is my list for 2009 entitled Thankful I can.
- I can awake every morning and stand on two legs
- I can choose to smile and be happy each day
- I can read this with the assistance of glasses
- I can write this without fear of recourse
- I can realize there is a difference between relatives and family
- I can make mistakes and learn from them and grow as a person
- I can choose with whom I do business
- I can and do cry during the nation anthem
- I can love three as if they were my own
- I can pray out loud to my Lord and Savior
- I can cheer out loud for a team that does not know who I am
- I can remember and honor those who have served
- I can worship and fellowship where and when I choose
- I can help others when in need – just because
- I can volunteer my time for a cause in which I believe
- I can hold in my arms the special one I love
- I can love my children for who they are and who they’ve become
- I can think freely and share my thoughts like this
- I can choose who I spend time with and I’ve chosen this time with you
Networking 101 – A
As we take a journey of discovery – one of the challenges facing business today is networking. The actual getting out in public and joining in on the festivities. It’s almost a necessary evil, but what are the returns or rewards. What is the long term impact? Is there a short term payoff? Why do it? Here are a few of what I will call dotme tips.