Twitter is the Seinfeld of the Internet

Not the comedian but the show rather. You see it is interesting, better in the beginning, and good for conversation. In the end you really don't get that much, other than re-enforcing what you already know.

Okay I did find out Michael Jackson died hours before I would have otherwise, so there is a use case for news. Seinfeld never did that for me.

This is funny...

Poetry

In the tree outside my room, there is a bird.

He wakes up at 5:33, that's absurd.

I'm awake as he sings in the shower.

I wish he'd just give me one more hour.

His singing just can't be unheard:)

Maslow's Inventory applied to Life

I just read on the Complete Running Network and analysis of motivation applied to running based on Maslow's Inventory. Interesting. I seem very needy.

Here are my results:

Maslow Inventory Results

Physiological Needs (27%) you appear to have everything you need to survive physically. Safety Needs (37%) you appear to have a very secure environment. Love Needs (44%) you appear to be semi-content with the quality of your social connections. Esteem Needs (74%) you appear to have a low level of skill competence. Self-Actualization (36%) you appear to have a low level of individual development.

Take Free Maslow Inventory Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Yes, it is about time!

It helps clean up pee!

The Full move into Geekdom

It's bad when I still get excited out on the Microsoft Campus or at Amazon.com, but yesterday it went to an entirely new level. Yesterday I am working in the Bay Area. As I drove around Silicon Valley I had the normal excitement of all that is going on there. I realized I had moved to an entirely different level, when I turned in Palo Alto, and without seeing a sign recognized then proceeded to act like a teenage girl in the audience of American Idol when I saw...Xerox. Yes the main building for Xerox corporation. When I sold copiers I hated them, simply because they were the best. After reading about them recently and finding out that basically everything that has been invented (at least for computers) started there! Anyway even with my appointments yesterday and seeing old friends the thing I wake up this morning thinking about is the feeling I had when I saw that building...Geek.

Maps meet language

Very cool post by a blog that is moving up on my favorite list...btw that list is not posted anywhere except in my head.

http://www.nakedtranslations.com/en/2008/01/000940.php

Enjoy.

Aidyn's First PhotoWalk...Guess the theme

Photo walking is a new hobby Aidyn and I have started since she got her Hello Kitty Digital Camera for Christmas. To kick this off please enjoy the show and let us know if you can guess the theme. For those who have a hard time Aidyn wrote this poem for you...

Leaves, bare or brown
isn't that a wonderful sound?
blowing, swaying in the wind
falling to the ground,
but most are standing all around.

Watch and let us know if you have a guess.

never eat alone

Great title for a book by Keith Ferrazzi is excellent. Not really into writing summaries of books because I don't do them justice. My approach is more day by day, taking in something new or being inspired to action, here are two points that hit me today:

"Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. Those rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter so the world will at least be a little bit different for our having passed through it." - Rabbi Harold Kushner

Keith on his career and the lack of balance: "For me, the best thing about a relationship-driven career is that it isn't a career at all. It's a way of living. Several years ago, I started to realize that connecting was actually a way of seeing the world. When I thought and behaved in that way, dividing my life between professional and personal spheres no longer made sense. I realized that what made you successful in both worlds were other people and the way you related to them. Whether those people were family people, work people, or friend people, real connecting insists that you bring the same values to every relationship. As a result, I no longer needed to make a distinction between my career happiness and my life happiness-they were both piece of me. My life."

A few years ago I read a book called "Season of Life: a football star, a boy, a journey to manhood" by Jeffery Marx. It changed my life, by stating many of the parts of my worldview but had never expressed. This book "never eat alone" did the same for me. So much for not summarizing huh? God is glorified when we love his creation, and we (people) are a significant part of that creation. The more I understand about myself and my story I see that I have been gifted in this pursuit. Keith Ferrazzi nails it for me and applies this worldview to work practice whereas "Season of Life" applies it to coaching

Beginning my Reflections on 2007

This was a really strange year, in our world and in our life. Today I had my end of year review at work, which went great, but it got me thinking about this year and what is ahead. To start here are just a few of the things that happened this year for me.

1. Spent New Year's with two of my oldest friends (which we are repeating again this year)
2. Landed a job within two week of first touch at Sinometrics.
3. Made over 10,000 Cold Calls with my job.
4. Wife went Cat Skiing leaving me home alone with daughter for week.
5. Set up our financial plan which we neglected for years as intern pastor.
6. Became building managers.
7. Refinished chairs we got from Goodwill for $35, and a free table for our dining room.
8. Turned an closet into a closet/office, to free up bedroom for baby.
9. Had Aidyn's Birthday at a local park.
10. Started Aidyn in a new school.
11. Went to first school choir concert and saw my oldest daughter shine.
12. Enjoyed just attending Church.
13. Started a weekly community group at our house.
14. Ate Thanksgiving with my boss and his family.
15. Nicknamed coworker/friend "little hottie"
16. Mixed a song about "Little Hottie"
17. Wrote on the Psalms
18. Had another daughter...surprisingly at the hospital.
19. Started setting goals for the future.
20. Made a repair on our car without putting it on the credit card.
21. Listened to my wife, much better.
22. Had two great performance reviews at work.
23. Spoke with executives and cool decision makers at some really interesting companies.
24. Ran marathon #3
25. ran marathon #4
26. ran marathon #5
27. Lots of training for marathons.
28. Learned a new joke. "A dyslexic man walks into a bra."
29. Fallen in love with reading blogs.
30. Realized I need a mentor.
31. Read through the Bible.
32. Read about 20 books.
33. Commute on the bus.
34. Joined Flexcar.
35. Realized Mexican food is my favorite for breakfast lunch or dinner.
36. Took my parents to Montana.
37. Missed seeing a black bear while everyone else in the car saw it.
38. Went fly fishing.
39. Fell in love with the Mariners (baseball team, not group of sailors)
40. Took Aidyn to her first Mariners game.
41. Preached a few times.
42. Taught a group of kids I love about communion, and watched them partake for the first time.
43. Ate a fun breakfast with my old boss and his wife.

Honestly that was really good for me and I don't feel like I really tried. What a really amazing year, who knows what I will think of over the next few days left in the year.

Best Holiday Greeting Ever!

I got this email out of office reply from a client today...

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In the meantime, please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all...and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 200x, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make this country great (not to imply that this country is necessarily greater than any other country), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual orientation of the wishee.

This wish is limited to the customary and usual good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first. "Holiday" is not intended to, nor shall it be considered, limited to the usual Judeo-Christian celebrations or servances, or to such activities of any organized or ad hoc religious community, group, individual or belief (or lack thereof).

Note: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all. This greeting is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. This greeting implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for the wishee her/himself or others, or responsibility for the consequences which may arise from the implementation or non-implementation of same. This greeting is void where prohibited by law.

Best regards,
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So funny

My History of Violence

I found great humor and was disturbed by that when I read Tim Ferriss article today, Why I started punching jerks again. Now I grew up with lots of violence in my neighborhood of Baltimore, MD. If anyone has watch the HBO show The Wire, I grew up one mile from that neighborhood. I was in my first fight, of significance, in the third grade. It was with an eighth grader. I got in one amazing shot right across his jaw..had to jump to land it...and that was about all I remember other than my head being bashed against a brink wall at some point. When I returned home, beaten badly, my brother showed no sympathy on my, but decided it was the best time to teach me to fight. After that I never lost a fight, I won't say I won all of them a few may have been draws.

In my pea brain somewhere I do believe violence solves things. It gets results. Now with all of that said at 31 years old and a dad of two I have not been in a fight in ages, thankfully. Yet I still like a good action flick. When I step back I am able to see that there is satisfaction in engaging the world for change, even through violence. The question then becomes is violence the best means? From a Christian perspective the loud answer is, "Of course not!" Jesus would have never gone to the cross if that were the case. Now we live in a fallen world, and I know growing up there were times when the only thing a bully in my life understood was a hard blow to the head. I look back on that and it makes me sad. I still hate bullies, but these were kids who were doing awful things, and they learned it somewhere. I find it sad that as a kid the only solutions I knew was violence in order to get me out of circumstances of being bullied, and I feel really sad for the kids who were not strong/big/brave/goofy enough to stand up the way I did.

Anyway I guess that I do not support punching someone in the face not matter how much they might deserve it. Yet, that doesn't mean I won't pray that they do get it eventually. Call it Karma, or you reap what you sow, but they will get it and sometimes I even pray that I'll get to witness it, not really.

The morning after the company Christmas Party

The picture you have proabaly isn't correct. We had a blast with just some good wholesome conversation and amazing food. Anyway our baby had us up most of the night, so here it is Monday morning, and I'm trying to get my engine started. Here is a link I found from blog I really like:

I'm a Lamborghini Murcielago!

You're not subtle, but you don't want to be. Fast, loud, and dramatic, you want people to notice you, and then get out of the way. In a world full of sheep, you're a raging bull.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

When you become a runner

Today I recognized a change in my life. I am scheduling oral surgery and the two things I am basing my timing on are my ski vacation and my next marathon. I have crossed the line in both those areas. Feels pretty good

1st Communion

Yesterday was a very big day and an emotional one for me as Aidyn took her first communion. Now as Presbyterians we don't have the 1st Communion thing down the way the Catholics do, but we did our best. I got to teach a six week class for the kids who ranged in age from 5-12 years old. Now that sounds like it might be challenging but it was great. The older kids I had in the class were amazing, and they younger ones I knew pretty well which included Aidyn.

So during the service yesterday the church purchased the kids beautiful 'grown up' Bibles. Jon the pastor prayed for them, and they came forward for the first time. What was really striking for me was the great promise this showed us. First that we are not alone as parents. Aidyn has demonstrated faith and been able to articulate her beliefs for about two years. Yet we were not in a community that was thinking about training children for worship. I know I had the authority just to make the decision, but I am really glad we waited and had an entire community invovled. Aidyn was very grateful too.

The other part that really struck me was that the three girls that were in the service to be received were very special. Of course Aidyn, then Jon & Lynn Harralson's (pastor of Grace) oldest daughter, and Phil & Robin Peterson's daughter familes that all sacrificed a great deal for this church and been through all the mess. As a matter of fact as I think about it now, just about all the kids who attended the class had families that had been through it in this church! It is amazing to see how God is faithful even through the hard times. There is a point as a parent where you realize that perhaps all the ambition and desires you had your whole life were wrong and perhaps the only thing God placed you on this earth to do is raise amazing kids who will change the world. In that I think God will surprising give us the desires and ambitions of our heart, but at least for me my focus has changed tons.

We celebrated with an awesome lunch with some friends, and Aidyn spend a good deal of the afternoon reading her new Bible. I am really grateful for God's faithfulness to our family and especially Aidyn during this last year of transition. I am also very excited about all that he has in store for all of us in the future. Yesterday was a wonderful day to be reminded of these things.

Goal Accomplished!

Yesterday I ran my 5th marathon. This was an ambitious goal for me alone because of the birth of Taitum and then I was really sick this past week. Not only did I finish the marathon, but I set a new PR (Personal Record). Not only did I set a new PR, but it was at my goal! My goal was to finish sub-4-hours. I finished at 3:59:42. I had a whole 18 seconds to spare:) It was an amazing day, sunny and cool, as perfect as it gets in Seattle! I am of course grateful for my bro-in-law who ran with me and inspired me along the way, and then on friend from church who joined up for the last few miles and gave me an added boost of support. Not sure what is next but it feels really good to accomplish something, and I know the circumstances are rarely perfect so we are always doing it in adversity.

No longer Dolla, Dolla Bills Yall

But in a melancholy turn, another noted altering the hook to a famous Wu-Tang Clan tune - to say "Euro, Euro bill, y'all" instead of "Dolla, dolla bill, y'all" - just wouldn't have the same ring to it.

http://www.examiner.com/ArticleEmail.cfm?articleID=1048235#

Those rappers effecting my industry:

http://globalwatchtower.com/2007/11/14/translation-pricing/

Have been cooking

Since Taitum has been born I've been in the kitchen! It has been great because normally working late prevents me from making any sort of meal worth talking about But these last few days I've really gone all out and Karin and I have enjoyed it. Karin said to me we should think of opening a restaurant, which I think she just said to be nice and because some good friends of ours are talking about it. My thoughts on it are this, it is the rare restaurant that makes lots of money. So it would not be the best investment. Also I don't really love cooking that much or serving people. What I love is to eat! Eating is what motivates me to throw down in the kitchen. And I often prefer to eat things others have made me! So perhaps investing in a restaurant would be the way to go...only if it is close to my house and I could eat there regularly:)

Getting the kids to church

Not very genuine if you ask me, though if I were in a youth group I'd be excited about it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07halo.html?ei=5090&en=7ee896e665c85911&ex=1349409600&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

This one regarding gaming is even better. Did I mention I saw the first movie of the series opening day in the theater? A buddy and I were the only two, other than an old couple in the theater. Great time for feeding cynicism.

http://gamepolitics.com/2007/10/05/left-behind-games-gets-apocalyptic-with-bloggers/

Sponsorship for my race

First time I've done this, and I am pretty excited. Being out of the non-profit professional, has made me wonder what places in my life I can use to fill that desire. So here is one. I am pretty excited about the organization so if you feel so inclined donate a few bucks.

http://www.active.com/donate/theIRC_seattle/michaelstevens