Okay, my first week in LA and I have a celebrity sighting to report. I was invited to attend a presentation by renowned homeopathic/naturopathic healer, Malcolm Smith. The event was being held at the home of an Acupuncturist and her husband in the old, ritzy section of Hollywood. One of the guys at the office was helping to host, and he invited a bunch of us along. The promise of dinner (and lack of a social life) prompted me to accept. I am not normally a passionista about homeopathic healing, but the subject sounded interesting. It was going to be a video presentation of some "before and afters" of his patients. Amazing was the word being bandied about. Okay, I am up for amazing, plus I had nothing planned that weekend.
On the way over, my co-worker casually mentioned that "Bonnie" would be there. I asked "which Bonnie?", and he answered, "Bonnie Rait". How cool is that? We got there early, because one thing is certain in SoCal...the parking will be horrendous. We found a tiny spot and wedged his Corolla in tightly. The host and hostess had turned an old school into their home, and the living room was now the presentation hall. Very nice. Bonnie came early and was very friendly, chatty and very much the personality she appears to be on TV, at concerts, etc. She brought her assistant and her blind tea cup poodle.
Dr. Malcolm (as he likes his patients to call him) was genuinely amazing. I believe there are mentally ill people that have physical ailments because of their mental state. He can help them. Not sure I buy completely into his methodology and antidotes, but the transformations in people were astounding. One psychopath changes before your very eyes into a normal, approachable, and much more handsome guy. I think his best results were on the clinically depressed.
Here is how it goes...remember, I am not a firm believer in this, but should report it to you all to judge for yourself. The newest homeopathic methodology involves categorizing humans into 1 of 3 buckets...Animal, plant, and mineral. In each of those categories, based on your description of yourself (through a series of questions), Dr. Malcolm can determine what type of animal, plant or mineral you are. There in lies the treatment as well. Your imbalance in health (physiological and mental) lies in the fact that the characteristics you are displaying need to be counter-acted by the same type of animal, plant or mineral. Basically restoring your balanced self. I know, sounds confusing. Let's take the psychopath we mentioned earlier...this guy basically was exhibiting characteristics of Nazi-ism and Adolph Hitler. Those characteristics map to the plant family...a particular type of fungus or mushroom. So the treatment is more of that mushroom. A tincture is made of that fungi and given to the "patient". Within 24 hours, if the treatment is a "match", there should be signs of improvement. Within 6 months, there should be drastic if not complete healing...and there was. You could see the lines on his face soften with each recording. The language, the achievement, the loss of physiological symptoms, the smiles, the amazement of friends, family and colleagues...all from a couple of drops of mushroom tonic. Mushroom cancels mushroom. I started wondering if he could heal me of my Type II diabetes, my high blood pressure and my sleep apnea...but it is hard to justify the $1500 consultation. But I do wonder what type of animal I am...oh yea, I am an animal. I married a plant though...ha!
I move into my new bachelor pad in Marina Del Rey, 1 block from famed Venice Beach. I have a nice studio apartment, but the rent is sky high! This weekend is SuperBowl, I will spend it with a friend in Malibu...I guess he lives right on the beach. Nice life...
I was also invited to a gallery opening...wow, making the social scene in LA. The artist is an awesome photographer. He will be exhibiting a new series of shots taken in China while on assignment. Check him out...Stephen Wilkes.
Chow!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Kenya Update
All the horrible news coming out of Kenya has me worried for the orphans and staff of Ring Road and the new works in Mombassa, Malindi and Eldoret. Eldoret was our latest project, with about 388 orphans needing sponsorship. On our visit to Eldoret in July, we were expecting to meet 17 orphans...we were surprised by the large group. We had promised support to the 17 only, and increased that count to 30. After returning to the US, we ended up supporting close to 100 or more, with that number growing every week.
Currently Eldoret and Mt. Elgon are experiencing the most horrific violence and effects of the violence. You have to remember that most Africans rely on gathering food and fuel on a daily basis. With the curfews, looting, killing, gang activity it is nearly impossible to find food. Unscrupulous business people with food and water have found they can double, triple and quadurple prices during the strife. The roads are so bad anyway, but now with rival tribes setting up roadblocks no humanitarian aid can get through.
We lost communication contact with our workers in Eldoret for a while, but now that e-mail link has been re-established...with almost daily bad news I am not sure that was a blessing or not! I can't really mean that.
Thank God that most of our kids and staff are safe, being fed, and can still find hope in the darkest of situations. The stress the staff are going through is taking a toll. They will need a vacation when this blows over. We had one staff member, Thomas take a beating for saving an orphan from being burned alive. In the process he had his valuables stolen. His father-in-law was killed. Other that this bad news, we don't know of any other direct victims. Jared, our intrepid leader in Kisumu has been caring for not only the Ring Road kids and staff, but the commuity as well. He took a credit line out and bought a large quantity of corn for the surrounding community. The church and school are the beacon in that slum. He even risked his life to take money to Kitale, Eldoret, and Malindi...traveling on his own dime and again stretching his credit line to get bare essentials for thousands of people...Kikuyu or Luo.
What would I do in that situation? I wonder that often...what kind of servant would I be?
What to do? Pray for peace, understanding, forgiveness. When I hear some of the chilling stories of neighbor on neighbor violence I wonder how forgiveness will happen. Only through the grace of God...but too many of us aren't counting on that...we would rather take our own vengeance, and exact our own retribution.
To think that the tribal conflicts are based on an arbitrary assignment of class by the British colonials...they needed domestic help, so they enlisted the Kikuyus because they happened to be closest to the settlements. When the Brits left, they handed over many of the civil service, merchant, and white collar jobs to the Kikuyus. Same thing happened in Rwanda with the Tutsis and the Hutus...that one is even more bizarre...the best jobs in Rwanda were given to the tribe that had lighter skin...what a crock! Amazing what colonialism has accomplished over the past couple hundred years. I know that is a tough stance to take, but I look at the results and it bothers me.
The best way to help...Go to http://www.christianrelieffund.org/ and send in a donation...if you mark the donation "for Kenyan Relief", 100% of the money donated will go to Africa...zero administration costs. The need is immediate and is the fastest way to get aid to those in peril. The real risks are starving and disease. Please help.
Chow
Currently Eldoret and Mt. Elgon are experiencing the most horrific violence and effects of the violence. You have to remember that most Africans rely on gathering food and fuel on a daily basis. With the curfews, looting, killing, gang activity it is nearly impossible to find food. Unscrupulous business people with food and water have found they can double, triple and quadurple prices during the strife. The roads are so bad anyway, but now with rival tribes setting up roadblocks no humanitarian aid can get through.
We lost communication contact with our workers in Eldoret for a while, but now that e-mail link has been re-established...with almost daily bad news I am not sure that was a blessing or not! I can't really mean that.
Thank God that most of our kids and staff are safe, being fed, and can still find hope in the darkest of situations. The stress the staff are going through is taking a toll. They will need a vacation when this blows over. We had one staff member, Thomas take a beating for saving an orphan from being burned alive. In the process he had his valuables stolen. His father-in-law was killed. Other that this bad news, we don't know of any other direct victims. Jared, our intrepid leader in Kisumu has been caring for not only the Ring Road kids and staff, but the commuity as well. He took a credit line out and bought a large quantity of corn for the surrounding community. The church and school are the beacon in that slum. He even risked his life to take money to Kitale, Eldoret, and Malindi...traveling on his own dime and again stretching his credit line to get bare essentials for thousands of people...Kikuyu or Luo.
What would I do in that situation? I wonder that often...what kind of servant would I be?
What to do? Pray for peace, understanding, forgiveness. When I hear some of the chilling stories of neighbor on neighbor violence I wonder how forgiveness will happen. Only through the grace of God...but too many of us aren't counting on that...we would rather take our own vengeance, and exact our own retribution.
To think that the tribal conflicts are based on an arbitrary assignment of class by the British colonials...they needed domestic help, so they enlisted the Kikuyus because they happened to be closest to the settlements. When the Brits left, they handed over many of the civil service, merchant, and white collar jobs to the Kikuyus. Same thing happened in Rwanda with the Tutsis and the Hutus...that one is even more bizarre...the best jobs in Rwanda were given to the tribe that had lighter skin...what a crock! Amazing what colonialism has accomplished over the past couple hundred years. I know that is a tough stance to take, but I look at the results and it bothers me.
The best way to help...Go to http://www.christianrelieffund.org/ and send in a donation...if you mark the donation "for Kenyan Relief", 100% of the money donated will go to Africa...zero administration costs. The need is immediate and is the fastest way to get aid to those in peril. The real risks are starving and disease. Please help.
Chow
Moving to LA
What a whirlwind month...I resigned from my old job as a consumer strategist in the food and beverage world to take an operations job with a new beverage company. Leaving was tough, because I absolutely loved helping my clients with consumer and branding issues, and the value I was adding was clearly measurable and appreciated by the clients.
I tried to leave under the best of circumstances. I made it fairly easy on my old company...I waited until they had adequate resources to backfill me, I kept great files and records, and I kept my expenses up to date. What I didn't expect was a nasty certified letter from the CEO accusing me of violating my non-disclosure and non-compete (while I was still an employee)! Seems impossible...but the threatening tone just pissed me off. I fired off a rebuttal, and haven't heard a thing. I don't think they have a leg to stand on, but the bitterness of their tone was unexpected. We shall see what they intend to do.
The new job has a whole new series of challenges. I will be heading up operations for a small health beverage company. The person I replaced may not have been the best ops choice for a new company. Looks like systems, processes, specs and cost containment are my first order of business. I will be looking for a good ops analyst and QA head first up. Know of any good candidates you can send my way?
The new job required me to relocate temporarily to LA...West LA to be specific. I drove down in a downpour and my new colleagues blamed me for bringing Seattle weather to LA. It has been cold and rainy all week! I will be in LA for 3 months, and then will split time between Seattle and LA for the rest of the year. If it works out, that will be the solution until my youngest gets out of HS...and then the dreaded relo question comes up.
My temporary digs are at Marina Del Rey...nice, near Venice Beach and the canals. I need to find a different apartment that is less expensive...this one is $3000 a month!
I am excited about the change, the challenge and the company. More details to follow!
Chow!
I tried to leave under the best of circumstances. I made it fairly easy on my old company...I waited until they had adequate resources to backfill me, I kept great files and records, and I kept my expenses up to date. What I didn't expect was a nasty certified letter from the CEO accusing me of violating my non-disclosure and non-compete (while I was still an employee)! Seems impossible...but the threatening tone just pissed me off. I fired off a rebuttal, and haven't heard a thing. I don't think they have a leg to stand on, but the bitterness of their tone was unexpected. We shall see what they intend to do.
The new job has a whole new series of challenges. I will be heading up operations for a small health beverage company. The person I replaced may not have been the best ops choice for a new company. Looks like systems, processes, specs and cost containment are my first order of business. I will be looking for a good ops analyst and QA head first up. Know of any good candidates you can send my way?
The new job required me to relocate temporarily to LA...West LA to be specific. I drove down in a downpour and my new colleagues blamed me for bringing Seattle weather to LA. It has been cold and rainy all week! I will be in LA for 3 months, and then will split time between Seattle and LA for the rest of the year. If it works out, that will be the solution until my youngest gets out of HS...and then the dreaded relo question comes up.
My temporary digs are at Marina Del Rey...nice, near Venice Beach and the canals. I need to find a different apartment that is less expensive...this one is $3000 a month!
I am excited about the change, the challenge and the company. More details to follow!
Chow!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Obama or Hillary
Many of you don't know me well enough to understand my political leanings, so I will tell you that I have been a solid Republican since I turned 18 and could vote (haven't missed a Presidential election). I have voted that way for almost 30 years...but after the past 7 years, my disgust and wretching over the current administration (and my powerless apathy towards him) has me looking for...you guessed it, "CHANGE!!!"
I read in an editorial about boomer aged Republicans and Independents leaving in droves and heading to the Obama camp. I believed I was the only one...I feel smarter now. Barack Obama seems to be the one candidate that really believes that he can make change happen in Washington, DC. It might be a pipe dream, but I am willing to invest my one measly vote to see that come true. There is just one problem...I may not get a chance to vote for him if he doesn't win the Democratic Presidential nomination over Hillary Clinton. My dilemna...if Obama wins, I vote Democrat for the first time, if Hillary wins, I will vote for any ol' Republican candidate. That just doesn't seem right to me. Then it dawns on me...voting is personal, it isn't about the issues, it is about the person representing the issues.
I gotta tell you, I truly cannot stand that woman. I have been trying to justify why for a long time, but I think it comes down to one word...TRUST. I don't think I can trust her. I believe all her qualities...experienced, intelligent, funny, clever, quick-witted, charming, the list could go on. I get that. But I also get that forboding feeling in the pit of my stomach...I can't tell when she is putting on an act or when she is being genuine. I just can't tell! Is it important that I tell when she is genuine or not? I think that is the character I am looking for in a President. If it ain't visible, it ain't there.
Here is my other view on this 2-Party election...the difference in where the country SHOULD be on the issues v. the difference between where the two parties ARE on the issues is much greater. For example: where the country should be on an issue like education for children is so very far from where the two parties are dickering that it almost makes no difference. Same with the defense budget, farm bill, Global Warming, dependence on fossil fuels, etc. Splitting political hairs v. making drastic changes necessary isn't worth debating anymore. Both parties are pitifully far away from where we should be as a people. The two groups aren't even that far off on abortion or immigration. So jumping to the democratic side doesn't feel that rebellious or disloyal. It just feels right...but only if Obama is the candidate.
Ramblings of a man hoping desperately that this one candidate, fresh faced, eager, and full of character can really bring about real and necessary change. Corporate America has really done enough...time to let the people rule America.
Go Obama!
Chow!
I read in an editorial about boomer aged Republicans and Independents leaving in droves and heading to the Obama camp. I believed I was the only one...I feel smarter now. Barack Obama seems to be the one candidate that really believes that he can make change happen in Washington, DC. It might be a pipe dream, but I am willing to invest my one measly vote to see that come true. There is just one problem...I may not get a chance to vote for him if he doesn't win the Democratic Presidential nomination over Hillary Clinton. My dilemna...if Obama wins, I vote Democrat for the first time, if Hillary wins, I will vote for any ol' Republican candidate. That just doesn't seem right to me. Then it dawns on me...voting is personal, it isn't about the issues, it is about the person representing the issues.
I gotta tell you, I truly cannot stand that woman. I have been trying to justify why for a long time, but I think it comes down to one word...TRUST. I don't think I can trust her. I believe all her qualities...experienced, intelligent, funny, clever, quick-witted, charming, the list could go on. I get that. But I also get that forboding feeling in the pit of my stomach...I can't tell when she is putting on an act or when she is being genuine. I just can't tell! Is it important that I tell when she is genuine or not? I think that is the character I am looking for in a President. If it ain't visible, it ain't there.
Here is my other view on this 2-Party election...the difference in where the country SHOULD be on the issues v. the difference between where the two parties ARE on the issues is much greater. For example: where the country should be on an issue like education for children is so very far from where the two parties are dickering that it almost makes no difference. Same with the defense budget, farm bill, Global Warming, dependence on fossil fuels, etc. Splitting political hairs v. making drastic changes necessary isn't worth debating anymore. Both parties are pitifully far away from where we should be as a people. The two groups aren't even that far off on abortion or immigration. So jumping to the democratic side doesn't feel that rebellious or disloyal. It just feels right...but only if Obama is the candidate.
Ramblings of a man hoping desperately that this one candidate, fresh faced, eager, and full of character can really bring about real and necessary change. Corporate America has really done enough...time to let the people rule America.
Go Obama!
Chow!
Friday, December 28, 2007
I'm Dreaming of a Warm Christmas?
Hello from sunny Waikiki! We spent the Christmas holiday on the island of Oahu. It was a strange Christmas for us all. We have never spent a holiday in a tropical setting, so the weirdness was felt by all 4 of us. Over Christmas brunch on the patio of Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant, we commented on how it just didn't feel like Christmas...
Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about spending a week in the warm sun, it is just that I am not USED to that kind of Christmas. It was still an awesome week. We caught up with old friends, made new friends, and worked on our tans in the middle of December. The news of snowstorms in the midwest and northeast made us cringe, say a quick prayer for travelers everywhere, and reach for the sunblock. Ha ha.
Lori and I got to see friends we hadn't seen in a while. These are the type of friends that you can forget about all year, send a card at Christmas time, but when you get together with them it is as if time stood still. You can still joke about the same things, feel comfortable in their homes, and show genuine love and affection to them. That is the way it was for us as we got to see Bennett and Barb and Keith and Arlyne again. The last time we saw them was easily 10 years ago. A lot happens in 10 years, especially when you have kids. Our kids had never met either of these couples. They may have seen their pictures in our wedding album (Bennett and Keith were groomsmen for me), but they had nothing else to connect them to their parents. Our friends also had kids that had never met us, or chose to forget meeting us earlier, but no matter, we all got along well. My kids even commented on how much fun it was to hang out with them. Like they had a choice...
We also got to make new friends and acquaintences while we were there. My old professor, Wayne Iwaoka (not age wise) from the Univ. of Washington is now a department head at the Univ. of Hawaii (go Warriors!). Wayne insisted that I speak at their local Food Technologist Holiday meeting while I was in town. It was a fun event, and I got to meet some wonderful people. As payment for speaking, Wayne toured my daughter around the campus on a recruiting trip. It was a nice treat to have her guided around by the ex-chancellor for student affairs. We also met friends of Barb and Bennett's...the Saitos. What wonderful and generous people! We had fun getting to know them, and will no doubt keep in touch with them over the years.
We did all the typical sun-worshipping things. Bennett and Barb's daughter Charissa happens to be an excellent surfer, so she "volunteered" to take our kids surfing for the first time. Jeff and Mel did a good job for their first time. I did not hit the surf as the sport is for younger, more limber humans. We worked on our tans at Sandy Beach (best sun), Waikiki Beach (best crowds), and Waimanalo (best surf). We found our favorite spots for "Plate Lunch", the local version of fast food. It is a mash-up of Asian, Island, and Mainland foods. Pick your main dish (Lau-Lau, Kahlua Pork, Kalbi Ribs, Hamburger Steak, Fried Chicken, Mahi-Mahi, or combo), and get a scoop of Mac Salad (macaroni salad), and two scoops of white rice for a reasonable price. Kaneke's in Waimanalo had the best food, but Mike's Drive-In was a close second. I have always loved Hawaiian fare. Spam, Portuguese Sausage, Lau-Lau, etc. My first meal in Hawaii was a Paniolo (cowboy) breakfast of fried eggs, Portogee sausage (their pronunciation), over white rice...mmmm. My last meal in Hawaii was at the same spot, the Big City Diner, and it was also breakfast before we hit the airport...Kimchee Fried rice with two fried eggs on top. Hawaiian cuisine is not for the hypercholerolemic. Jeff and Mel are now fans of the Plate Lunch. Their daily request was a trip to Kaneke's for more...no DNA checks needed, they are definitely my kids.
I think our favorite activity was going snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. It is a nature preserve just north of Honolulu. The protected cove and coral reef are loaded with fish, Moray Eels and Green Turtles. We got there fairly early, but still had to fight the crowds. The last time we were there, 10 years earlier, we didn't have nearly the struggle with the crowds. It is now a tourist "must do" event. It is still beautiful even with the crowds. We all saw large Moray Eels, but no turtles.
Our second favorite activity was hitting the "Swap Meet" at Aloha Stadium. Vendor after vendor of stuff...at much better prices than at Waikiki. It was loaded with locals, which I take as a good sign. The kids bought great souvenirs at really reasonable prices. You had to hunt for the treasures, but they are there. The local artisans have to compete with cheap stuff from China, the Philipines and Indonesia. We found an old artisan that made shirts and shorts out of old 100-lb rice bags (Calrose, Nishiki, and other brands). I guess you'd have to be Asian to understand. The cotton linen just gets softer with each washing. Unfortunately we didn't buy from him the first day, and when we went back, he wasn't there. Bennett will make a run for us next week.
Our least favorite activity was looking for parking. Honolulu has a shortage of parking, and it is a struggle to find free parking close to where you want or need to be.
We crammed a month of visiting, touring, and eating into a week's vacation. Maybe Honolulu will become our annual tradition...Nah! We need to be home around our Christmas Tree eating candy cookies and complaining about the cold.
Chow!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Holiday Wishes
I guess I have become a once-a-month blogger. It isn't that I don't have news, or things to say...it is the simple fact of time in my life. Yes, I know everyone is busy, but when I write, my mind has to be clear so thoughts can move easily from my brain or my heart to my fingers and the keyboard. I have been distracted lately. You would not believe what is happening (mostly good) to me and my family...but you will have to wait for the New Year to get the information.
There is a growing sense of "reality" among Americans this holiday season. That reality has many of us actually contemplating our navels, thinking about who we are and how we live. Maybe there is the start of a backlash at the greed of Christmas. First of all, it started way too soon. Secondly, the pervading feeling of selfishness seems to finally be sinking in, and lastly, the sinking economy will be a tough reality for many Americans.
October is not the start of Christmas...I don't care if retailers need to get a jump on making their most profitable time of the year more profitable. There is confusion in consumers' minds when they can't figure out if they should be thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. The way this reality is playing out is that people might have had it up to here (palm to the neck) with these early marketing efforts. Do we really need an early start to the Holiday season of shopping? Retailers and marketers believe we need help remembering, and this convenience will help us stay organized. I don't buy it...I think many consumers were just caught forgetting about how close Christmas is. Since the retail push started so early, we naturally put things off thinking we had plenty of time...it literally snuck up on us this year! We tuned out the Christmas messages until it was too late. Here it is December 19th and I am just now thinking about getting my Christmas Cards done and mailed. (sorry you all, they will be late this year)
Maybe there is also a growing resentment to the "value" of Christmas giving. Maybe consumers have hit that tipping point where selfishness has blotted out the other key emotional values of this most special time of the year. And it doesn't feel right...it has that nagging feeling. Peace and Goodwill have been covered over by greed and dollars per person. Do expensive and numerous gifts determine how much we love, cherish and value our personal (and business) relationships? Maybe we are saying, "not this year". The media messages are mixed...between the advertising inserts of the newspaper there are smaller stories about generosity, giving, and selfless love. Even in the comic strips you will find beautiful messages about giving gifts of time, self, and service (I have always found the comic strips to be thought and trend leaders of society). This form of "reality" I am posing has consumers "opting out" of a big spending spree in lieu of donating, volunteering, serving.
The third reality is the tanking economy. While most of us may not be directly affected, we somehow feel affected. Not much has changed in reality...our job is secure, we have a fixed mortgage on our loans, etc. but we still have a suspicious and worried feeling in the pit of our stomach. My friend Jana has a good term for this feeling...Emotional Recession. Indirectly, we may feel the effects of the tailing economy through higher prices on most goods and services, but maybe this is a good thing. Maybe we are putting too much on our credit cards and not saving enough. Relearn the definition of "sacrifice". Maybe that is the word of the year. Maybe this is just the kick in the rear I need to start saving for retirement, college education, etc. Maybe this fear is just what the doctor ordered.
So it is okay to feel like you aren't really connected to the plastic joy, phony Christmas Carol laughter, and temporary peace you are being brainwashed to feel. You are not alone. Shake the cobwebs out of your head and focus on the great things that bring you true joy...spending time (not money) with your friends and family. Get some real laughter by playing with some kids, or a pet. Find true peace by discovering the love and forgiveness of a Savior. And it doesn't just have to happen this Holiday Season...this is something you can do all year long.
Just writing this entry has energized me. I have been wondering why I have had a Bah Humbug! spirit this year. It is because I am rejecting the facade of Christmas and am trying to find the reality of it.
Chow!
There is a growing sense of "reality" among Americans this holiday season. That reality has many of us actually contemplating our navels, thinking about who we are and how we live. Maybe there is the start of a backlash at the greed of Christmas. First of all, it started way too soon. Secondly, the pervading feeling of selfishness seems to finally be sinking in, and lastly, the sinking economy will be a tough reality for many Americans.
October is not the start of Christmas...I don't care if retailers need to get a jump on making their most profitable time of the year more profitable. There is confusion in consumers' minds when they can't figure out if they should be thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. The way this reality is playing out is that people might have had it up to here (palm to the neck) with these early marketing efforts. Do we really need an early start to the Holiday season of shopping? Retailers and marketers believe we need help remembering, and this convenience will help us stay organized. I don't buy it...I think many consumers were just caught forgetting about how close Christmas is. Since the retail push started so early, we naturally put things off thinking we had plenty of time...it literally snuck up on us this year! We tuned out the Christmas messages until it was too late. Here it is December 19th and I am just now thinking about getting my Christmas Cards done and mailed. (sorry you all, they will be late this year)
Maybe there is also a growing resentment to the "value" of Christmas giving. Maybe consumers have hit that tipping point where selfishness has blotted out the other key emotional values of this most special time of the year. And it doesn't feel right...it has that nagging feeling. Peace and Goodwill have been covered over by greed and dollars per person. Do expensive and numerous gifts determine how much we love, cherish and value our personal (and business) relationships? Maybe we are saying, "not this year". The media messages are mixed...between the advertising inserts of the newspaper there are smaller stories about generosity, giving, and selfless love. Even in the comic strips you will find beautiful messages about giving gifts of time, self, and service (I have always found the comic strips to be thought and trend leaders of society). This form of "reality" I am posing has consumers "opting out" of a big spending spree in lieu of donating, volunteering, serving.
The third reality is the tanking economy. While most of us may not be directly affected, we somehow feel affected. Not much has changed in reality...our job is secure, we have a fixed mortgage on our loans, etc. but we still have a suspicious and worried feeling in the pit of our stomach. My friend Jana has a good term for this feeling...Emotional Recession. Indirectly, we may feel the effects of the tailing economy through higher prices on most goods and services, but maybe this is a good thing. Maybe we are putting too much on our credit cards and not saving enough. Relearn the definition of "sacrifice". Maybe that is the word of the year. Maybe this is just the kick in the rear I need to start saving for retirement, college education, etc. Maybe this fear is just what the doctor ordered.
So it is okay to feel like you aren't really connected to the plastic joy, phony Christmas Carol laughter, and temporary peace you are being brainwashed to feel. You are not alone. Shake the cobwebs out of your head and focus on the great things that bring you true joy...spending time (not money) with your friends and family. Get some real laughter by playing with some kids, or a pet. Find true peace by discovering the love and forgiveness of a Savior. And it doesn't just have to happen this Holiday Season...this is something you can do all year long.
Just writing this entry has energized me. I have been wondering why I have had a Bah Humbug! spirit this year. It is because I am rejecting the facade of Christmas and am trying to find the reality of it.
Chow!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
November to Remember
As a hunter, there are a few hunts that are on my lifetime list to check-off as having done once. Elk Hunting in Montana or New Mexico, Whitetail Deer hunting in Saskatchewan, Red Stag hunting in New Zealand, Safari in Africa, Duck and Goose Hunting Chesapeake Bay, and Pheasant hunting in South Dakota are some of those on my list. I was lucky enough to get invited by a friend at work to hunt pheasants on his Uncle Steve's "farm" in South Dakota. It also happened to coincide with two business trips that made a perfect pheasant hunting sandwich.
Uncle Steve is one of the state's largest private landholders, and was instrumental in building up conservation interests for pheasants and the hunters that pursue them. Pheasants Forever was one of his favorite not-for-profit interests, and the care he has for his land and the pheasants that live wildly upon it is a perfect reflection of the Pheasants Forever charter. Everything revolves around the pheasants. Even a positive change in corn prices due to fuel alcohol production has him worried about farmers taking fields out of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and back into corn production. As a hunter, I appreciate an attitude like that. A super gracious host, Steve welcomed me to his home as if I were a long-time friend. His home reflects his interests, and was designed for the ultimate in pheasant-hunting, dog-rearing, snooker-playing, and friend-entertaining.
The first day of my two day's on one of his properties (seemed like countless farms are under his ownership), I got to hunt with one of his High School buddies and his friend. The 5 of us also had the luxury of having 7 dogs to do most of the work. All the dogs were of the retriever lineage. No Pointers here, this is "flusher" territory. Since the birds are truly wild, they prefer to run rather than hold when threatened. Pointers would forever be moving after the moving birds, and would end up frustrated at the end of the day. Flushing retrievers actually move in front of the hunters, adjusting their distance to account for the size of the field and the number of hunters. It is an amazing sight to see a good set of dogs work a field. We used a technique of applying blockers and drivers. A couple of us would sneak to the end of the field (millet, corn, trees, or cattails), and wait as quietly as possible. The drivers would then start at the other end with the dogs, pushing pheasants along until the pheasants either run out of cover, or freak out because of the perceived threat. These birds are so dang smart...they apply principles of geometry and trigonometry! They can calculate when they are equi-distant between the drivers and the blockers and flush just out of gun range of both. Hunters end up killing the dumb ones...those that fall victim to the process. They run until they are cornered and then flush. Even when things work as planned they fly so high and fast that they are tough to hit. After working 6 or 7 fields we found enough dumb birds to fill our 5 limits of 3 roosters apiece. The amount of birds we actually SAW v. shot at was in the thousands. The sight of hundreds of cackling hens and roosters taking flight is why this hunt is a true experience to collect. These truly wild birds began flushing hundreds of yards away as soon as they either heard our car doors slam, smelled the dogs, or heard us coming. They would jump out of cover and fly far out of range to safety.
That night, I got to spend a relaxed evening with Charlie's Grandparents: Erma and JR. Typical midwestern folks...welcoming, generous and friendly. Grandma Erma wouldn't think of letting us stay at a motel, she made up the extra bedroom for us, and had cookies and cheesecake waiting for us the night we first arrived late. She got up early to pack us a lunch, and wish us luck. Grandpa JR is the ambassador of the family and tells the best stories that had us rolling on the floor in laughter. They have lead colorful lives, and have a legacy of great children and grandchildren to be proud of. We took Uncle Steve, his two buddies, Steve's foreman, Charlie's parents and grandparents to dinner after that first hunt. Dinner was at the local steakhouse where we drank cold, cheap beer and ate hot, wonderful food in the presence of warmth, laughter and love.
Uncle Steve is one of the state's largest private landholders, and was instrumental in building up conservation interests for pheasants and the hunters that pursue them. Pheasants Forever was one of his favorite not-for-profit interests, and the care he has for his land and the pheasants that live wildly upon it is a perfect reflection of the Pheasants Forever charter. Everything revolves around the pheasants. Even a positive change in corn prices due to fuel alcohol production has him worried about farmers taking fields out of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and back into corn production. As a hunter, I appreciate an attitude like that. A super gracious host, Steve welcomed me to his home as if I were a long-time friend. His home reflects his interests, and was designed for the ultimate in pheasant-hunting, dog-rearing, snooker-playing, and friend-entertaining.
The first day of my two day's on one of his properties (seemed like countless farms are under his ownership), I got to hunt with one of his High School buddies and his friend. The 5 of us also had the luxury of having 7 dogs to do most of the work. All the dogs were of the retriever lineage. No Pointers here, this is "flusher" territory. Since the birds are truly wild, they prefer to run rather than hold when threatened. Pointers would forever be moving after the moving birds, and would end up frustrated at the end of the day. Flushing retrievers actually move in front of the hunters, adjusting their distance to account for the size of the field and the number of hunters. It is an amazing sight to see a good set of dogs work a field. We used a technique of applying blockers and drivers. A couple of us would sneak to the end of the field (millet, corn, trees, or cattails), and wait as quietly as possible. The drivers would then start at the other end with the dogs, pushing pheasants along until the pheasants either run out of cover, or freak out because of the perceived threat. These birds are so dang smart...they apply principles of geometry and trigonometry! They can calculate when they are equi-distant between the drivers and the blockers and flush just out of gun range of both. Hunters end up killing the dumb ones...those that fall victim to the process. They run until they are cornered and then flush. Even when things work as planned they fly so high and fast that they are tough to hit. After working 6 or 7 fields we found enough dumb birds to fill our 5 limits of 3 roosters apiece. The amount of birds we actually SAW v. shot at was in the thousands. The sight of hundreds of cackling hens and roosters taking flight is why this hunt is a true experience to collect. These truly wild birds began flushing hundreds of yards away as soon as they either heard our car doors slam, smelled the dogs, or heard us coming. They would jump out of cover and fly far out of range to safety.
That night, I got to spend a relaxed evening with Charlie's Grandparents: Erma and JR. Typical midwestern folks...welcoming, generous and friendly. Grandma Erma wouldn't think of letting us stay at a motel, she made up the extra bedroom for us, and had cookies and cheesecake waiting for us the night we first arrived late. She got up early to pack us a lunch, and wish us luck. Grandpa JR is the ambassador of the family and tells the best stories that had us rolling on the floor in laughter. They have lead colorful lives, and have a legacy of great children and grandchildren to be proud of. We took Uncle Steve, his two buddies, Steve's foreman, Charlie's parents and grandparents to dinner after that first hunt. Dinner was at the local steakhouse where we drank cold, cheap beer and ate hot, wonderful food in the presence of warmth, laughter and love.
I hope I am invited back next year.
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