Today ask yourself the question:

WHY NOT?

To every obstacle, ask yourself. WHY NOT?

Keep asking yourself why not until you find no more excuses not to ____________.

Why Not?

I do not agree with the Urban Dictionary’s definition for the phrase Instant Classic. I feel like the definition should include more reference to the word Classic. But I was hard pressed to be able to articulate my own definition until a friend shared this with me.

Nuff said.

Ok CFB fans. You don’t hear this argument as much as we used to, but as I was looking at the Map of CFB programs it totally dawned on me as to why. Sure the west has some powerful teams and a lot of talent. But look at the density of programs east of Colorado.That means all of those programs are recruiting against the same geographic area.It makes me wonder how much better those teams would be if we equaled out the number of eastern programs to western. Would the west even have a chance? Or is California a big enough recruiting grounds to provide the rest of the west with talent?

FBS Football in the USA

Last week, as I was listening to Malcom Gladwell’s “Outliers” during my commute, this thought came to my mind…”

“Anytime, I’ve seemingly made a mistake regarding my career or my otherwise, I’ve thought more about success, than truly what would make me happy.”

It might not be a big revelation to you, but when you have several good options before you, the view can seem quite cloudy. If you have the option, doing something you love will always make you successful.

I’ve seen computers as a tool, a toy and something I’ve totally coveted for close to 25 years. I was shopping for computers back when you HAD to order them in a magazine. You couldn’t get them anywhere else. The idea of a computer store was a sheer novelty.  I was always searching and hoping to find a way to get the next best and biggest computer, the one I thought I always wanted has always been out of my price range and something I would have to wait for.

My first computer was a Commodore 128 (128 for 128 K of RAM memory)which my parents spent $250 for one Christmas. Bar none, the best Christmas gift ever and one that would unknowingly direct me into my current career. I spent the next 6 months on my paper route saving enough money to by myself and 5 1/4′ floppy disk drive. Until then I ran all my programs off a cassette tape drive. Eventually I had enough stuff including a 14.4 kbps modem that I ran a bulletin board on. (1986) Take that, Al Gore who invented the internet!

Since then I’ve spent thousands upgrading and buying new machines. To play the coolest games or to hook up video equipment, make it faster, then get a bigger something or other, then get a smaller something or other. About 8 months ago I started to realize I hadn’t fallen into my pattern of shopping for fun toys when I get bored. In fact those direct emails I’ve been getting from Tigerdirect.com and Apple are really starting to get annoying! Those mailers from Microcenter have been shredded confetti even before I take a peek at them. And now I’m wondering why they’re not being very green by sending anything to me.  I’m sure they know I haven’t been back in a long while, given all of my data on their loyalty program.

Just about anything I really want to do on a computer honestly only takes about 1/3 of the resources of anything that costs less than $700.  I’m almost having a mid-life crisis realizing that either my activities are bordering on the old and boring or maybe technology has just surpassed me. It’s a little scary, since for so long I’ve had an identity as the guy who loved computers for so long… now that nothing special.

And like an ailing Mel Gibson my last words trickle out of my mouth….. “Freeeeeeeeeddooooom!”

A couple of weeks ago my I went to Colonial Williamsburg and could not resist getting a colonial tri-corner hat.

This of course could not be wasted on Halloween as I pimped myself out with the appropriate red-coat vest and knickers.

What I was surprised was at the numerous and various responses I got from people regarding who I might be.

The most popular were indeed a pirate, but it seems there are sort of odd associations with a tri-corner hat.

Here’s the list:

A Pirate

Captain Morgan

A Wiggle (Someone with kids help me out here.)

The guy from the Free Credit Report.com commercial

John Smith

and finally a Red Coat…. Kudos to Jason Teague for “getting it.”

I’ve not been doing well on according to the purpose of this blog. My mantra was to post often, not worry about perfection and be truly authentic. After having my laptop  and friends GPS stolen from our car, my faith in humanity wained a bit. But I’m back to post all of my back dated thoughts, that I didn’t have time to finish the they I wanted to….. reality is that this is all can I can give you at this time….

Last February I attended the inauguration of Barrack O’bama as President of the United States of America with a group of friends.

I started this post then remarking about two subjects. Mantle of Authority and Diversity.

Recently I watched the DVD set, John Adams from HBO starring Paul Giamatti. This movie was a great portrait of a lesser known founding forefather that was impressive for many reasons. Most of all it reminded of the wonderment I felt at the inauguration. Since living in the D.C. area I’ve attended 3 inaugurations, most of which have followed a bitter year long campaign of  accusations, false rumors and attack under the guise of useful criticisms.

What I’m always amazed by at the inaugurations is the free and peaceful transfer of power. Indeed there is a palpable feeling when the mantle of authority is past and taken on by another. Regardless of how bitter the debates were, there is a true intangible but real power in the peaceful and humble change of possession of the executive authority.

I’ve played about a handful of musical instruments in my lifetime but none to such skill that I felt I could fully express myself in the language of music.

I do remember days of chore sitting at a piano keyboard or snapping the spit valve of my trumpet, dreaming I commanding the attention of thousands on a rock stage.

So when I see people who stayed true to their skills but felt all types of music my heart sort of leaps up to applaud them for having the discipline to gain that power of expression.  Once you’ve gained it you can do whatever you want with it. Play rock songs on a violin, awesome.

Check this duo out: Pianafiddle

Power to ya!

I’ve cracked my knuckles for years….I think I’ve finally found the cure!

Bad Habits:
How To Stop Cracking Your Knuckles

A fun way to update my POV! A DIY windshield cam.

I love the tinkerers of the world!

We are hours away from the beginning of a new college football season and I have been feeling the excitement for weeks now! I heart college football!

I mean I really love it. But I’ve become aware that it could be because I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. Even when we were terrible at football the pageantry, enthusiasm and celebration surrounding game day is the glue that binds the community together.

In fact I think that’s the point. I love community events. People come together, even if they’re opposing sides to celebrate the exciting of human achievement, camaraderie and the excitement of life.

To sum it up, there’s nothing like sitting among 85,000 of your best friends and screaming your head off for no apparent reason.

Reasons to love College Football:

• Community, Colors &Tailgates
• 
• Traditions & Songs & Mascots
• 
• Pagentry , Halftimes, Bands (5th Quarter if your’e a Badger fan)
• 
• Passion -Originality Cheer, Frivolity
• 
• Rivalries and Underdogs
• 
• Bowl Games & Heros
• 

For this post I’m giving you a reading assignment, then hurry back for my comments.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/opinion/17brooks.html?_r=1

President Obama got this one absolutely right.

The article reveals the frailties of the community colleges, but hopefully the Obama aid with help alleviate some of the problems.

I am a graduate of the former Ricks Junior College, in Rexburg, ID. (Now BYU-Idaho) It absolutely was the right place for me at the time. Since then I have reflected often of the power of the Junior College in the American education system. The Junior/Community College is the “THE” American opportunity. Anyone, I mean anyone regardless of your background can get into a Junior/Community college. Once you get in, the environment is sufficient for you to make something of yourself. Graduation for a community college can get you into a top tier University or can give you very relevant technical skills. At that point you have the power to fulfill any dream you like.

Even though American education gets bagged on around the whole, no one can compete with the advantage of a the junior/community college system. No where else in the world can people more easily access higher education channels.

A week or so ago, I was at the gas station about a block from my house. Where there is an e-play video dispenser.  You’ve probably seen the Redbox at your local grocery store. This a similar experience, but it’s actually located outside, near the building. A convenient way to get a movie anytime. We must be grateful for the convenience we are served. In fact we are super-served in that way. Almost to a fault. I’ve definitely exploited the fact that I can pay up at the very last moment given our current technology. In fact I’ve often wondered how much of a slacker I would be if I were born 50 years earlier. Having to remind myself of all the things to do on time, wait in line. Put it in mail…. ugh.

Anyway. This experience was great, not only could I be recognized by CC, but also by an email address, or barcode on the sleeve after purchase.It then has my history when I showed up. The return was easy and simple. No instructions really needed. The only weird thing was the sleeve they give to you when you purchase a rental. it doesn’t actually fit the CD/DVD well. But who cares. Plus you pay just a buck for every night you keep it. One night, one dollar. Two nights, two dollars. So you have incentive to return it but it’s not going to kill you if miss it for a day.

I hope you’re more responsible  than myself but that you also find yourself super served cause it just feels good!

On the fourth I went down to Eastern Market for some Independence day fun at Eastern Market. Amongst the fresh food and the artisans is a pickle vendor. YES! A pickle vendor. To me this was absolute heaven. I’ve been a pickle fan for as long as I can remember. I have great memories of following my mother down to the Capitol farmer’s market on a brisk autumn morning when the cucumbers were in bumper crop and enjoying the sounds, smells and smiling faces. Shortly thereafter finding myself sitting in front of a towering pile of cucumbers on the kitchen table while a striking smelling brine brews on the stove. My mother was an industrious canner so I have some experience with how a cucumber become a pickle. But I don’t think I was ever a real connoisseur until I discovered the IN A PICKLE, vendor. IN A PICKLE sells a variety pickles and olives all made from a local farm. They sell individual pickles on a stick, pickles by the pint and quart. I never really liked the fresher pickles until I hit my thirties. Before I wanted my pickles good and petrified. I remember anxiously waiting for the pickles we packed in the fall to be ready to be eaten in the early spring. I in fact would run down to the cellar, and look at the color change over time, my mouth salivating for that salty goodness. A few things I learned from the IN A PICKLE folks were these variations. A kosher pickle has Salt, Water, and Vinegar, as well as the appropriate blessings or authorizations. A (Full) Sour Pickle is only Salt and Water. Of course you can add dill or whatever special spices you like. But then there’s the Half Sour Pickle, which basically means it only sits in the bring for half the time of a full sour. Full Sour = 3 months or more) Wish I’d know that was an option as a kid, I’d have been pickling it up a lot sooner! Since discovering the pickle vendor I’ve been back for more varieties, and find myself feeling a bit glutenous after I down a pint single-handedly, but hey at least it’s not ice cream right?!!!

Make your own pickles.

Check out the history of pickles