We are trained through out our lives to be very goal oriented. We are instilled with sayings that foster this - -"begin with the end in mind" , "don't take your eye off the ball". We are working to make a good grade, to get a promotion, or to achieve some status. To get ahead we are taught is a virtue. We work hard and save so that we can have a "meaningful" retirement, and leave something to our heirs. "He who dies with the most toys" and all that I guess.
This is all well and good, and I for one have not only learned this lesson well, but I have preached it to my son as well as to others who have come under my tiny sphere of influence over the years.
But what of the others, the ones for whom the journey itself is the goal. Louis and Clark, Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, and countless other just like them. Artists, philosophers, musicians, and countless free spirits who have roamed the earth. A road less travelled?
How did I get here in these deep waters you ask? Well, I started out thinking about my weekend. It was great. Like most weekends, if I don't have a project, I take my hand off the rudder and let the current take me where it will. In most cases that random course to nowhere turns out to be very enjoyable. We roam the country side with no destination in mind except what is round the next bend. The joy is in the journey not the destination.
My mother always taught me that happiness is a journey not a destination. I forget sometimes and I really should not. This weekend I remembered!
Enjoy the ride, it is all to often a short one.
The journey really is important!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sunday, August 5, 2007
When do I get to vote?
My wife has gotten interested in politics of late. It may be the fact that she is a grandmother now and worries a little more about what we are leaving for our grandchildren. After all, every politician decries the misery of the mountainous debt we are leaving our grandchildren, even though none of them is really in favor of doing anything about it.
What ever the reason for her conversion, I am grateful, for I am a political junkie! I watch all the talking heads on TV. Heaven forbid that I miss "Meet The Press", or "This Week" on Sunday morning. At any rate today the Republicans held a debate in Iowa on a special addition of "This Week With George Stephapolis". All nine candidates lined up to tell us their positions on various matters. Mostly it was about how any of them would be better for us than than any of the democrats.
In the interest of open disclosure here, I must say that I agree, but that is a rant for another day. At any rate Barb and I watched together, and she commented when it was over that some of those folks had really interesting ideas for the future. I had to explain to her that non of those folks had a prayer of being the nominee. But I don't understand she said, they have the same chance as anyone else. I will vote for them and so will a lot of other people once they hear what they have to say.
That is when I had to break the news to her that she really did not get to vote! I explained it as follows:
The process starts with anyone in this great country having the right to run to be elected for the Office of President. Doesn't that sound great. Wait a minute not that easy, lets go through the process. First you have to already be a politician. It is not a rule, but if you aren't, everybody says you don't have enough experience. So somebody like say Bill Gates or Warren Buffet would not qualify. That's OK with me, no use to temp good men to go to the dark side. Beside those guys, and folks like them, acutally generate a lot of wealth for a lot of people. Better to leave those guys alone.
Secondly you have to raise a lot of money. For President now it is at least $100 Mil. just to get the nomination of your party. (Once you get that far the tax payers take over most of the tab.)
Now where do you spend that money? Well everybody knows if you want to be the nominee for your party, you have to win the early primaries of Iowa and New Hampshire. You will do anything, say anything, and spend whatever it takes to win those 2 states. Makes it real easy to understand why we "need" ethanol to go in our cars even though it costs way more than oil and is not very efficient. They grow a lot of corn in Iowa.
Now the real problem is we don't really want change! We want the status quo in a prettier package. So the guy with the new ideas stirs a little something in us, but in the end he or she makes us just a little uncomfortable, and we do not like uncomfortable. There is also a good chance that they are against ethanol, and that stance won't get you many votes in Iowa.
At any rate by the time the first 2 primaries are over it is usually pretty much decided. If it is close maybe South Carolina come into to play, but for the rest of us - - forget about it.
I finally explained to her that the best way for us to have an impact on choosing a candidate, was for us to send money to the candidate we liked so that he or she could spend that money on TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire so that those folks could see what we saw and vote for the right person. Sounds simple doesn't it.
By the way I checked it out, the number one industry in New Hampshire - -you guessed it tourism. Don't be surprised if some politician doesn't suggest there be a law that says we all have to take our vacation there in a car powered by ethanol no less!
Maybe we should just let those folks get together and decide who the president should be as well. At least then we would have somebody to blame no matter how it comes out!
At least this week I did not have to hear any more politicians on TV talking about how awful the Iraq Parliament is for taking the month of August off. Why you ask, well because all of our leaders are on vacation this month. Hey, ease up, those folks in Iraq got real problems to deal with. Here of course everything is perfect.
Next time I will take on the water and school board! That is really where it all starts.
What ever the reason for her conversion, I am grateful, for I am a political junkie! I watch all the talking heads on TV. Heaven forbid that I miss "Meet The Press", or "This Week" on Sunday morning. At any rate today the Republicans held a debate in Iowa on a special addition of "This Week With George Stephapolis". All nine candidates lined up to tell us their positions on various matters. Mostly it was about how any of them would be better for us than than any of the democrats.
In the interest of open disclosure here, I must say that I agree, but that is a rant for another day. At any rate Barb and I watched together, and she commented when it was over that some of those folks had really interesting ideas for the future. I had to explain to her that non of those folks had a prayer of being the nominee. But I don't understand she said, they have the same chance as anyone else. I will vote for them and so will a lot of other people once they hear what they have to say.
That is when I had to break the news to her that she really did not get to vote! I explained it as follows:
The process starts with anyone in this great country having the right to run to be elected for the Office of President. Doesn't that sound great. Wait a minute not that easy, lets go through the process. First you have to already be a politician. It is not a rule, but if you aren't, everybody says you don't have enough experience. So somebody like say Bill Gates or Warren Buffet would not qualify. That's OK with me, no use to temp good men to go to the dark side. Beside those guys, and folks like them, acutally generate a lot of wealth for a lot of people. Better to leave those guys alone.
Secondly you have to raise a lot of money. For President now it is at least $100 Mil. just to get the nomination of your party. (Once you get that far the tax payers take over most of the tab.)
Now where do you spend that money? Well everybody knows if you want to be the nominee for your party, you have to win the early primaries of Iowa and New Hampshire. You will do anything, say anything, and spend whatever it takes to win those 2 states. Makes it real easy to understand why we "need" ethanol to go in our cars even though it costs way more than oil and is not very efficient. They grow a lot of corn in Iowa.
Now the real problem is we don't really want change! We want the status quo in a prettier package. So the guy with the new ideas stirs a little something in us, but in the end he or she makes us just a little uncomfortable, and we do not like uncomfortable. There is also a good chance that they are against ethanol, and that stance won't get you many votes in Iowa.
At any rate by the time the first 2 primaries are over it is usually pretty much decided. If it is close maybe South Carolina come into to play, but for the rest of us - - forget about it.
I finally explained to her that the best way for us to have an impact on choosing a candidate, was for us to send money to the candidate we liked so that he or she could spend that money on TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire so that those folks could see what we saw and vote for the right person. Sounds simple doesn't it.
By the way I checked it out, the number one industry in New Hampshire - -you guessed it tourism. Don't be surprised if some politician doesn't suggest there be a law that says we all have to take our vacation there in a car powered by ethanol no less!
Maybe we should just let those folks get together and decide who the president should be as well. At least then we would have somebody to blame no matter how it comes out!
At least this week I did not have to hear any more politicians on TV talking about how awful the Iraq Parliament is for taking the month of August off. Why you ask, well because all of our leaders are on vacation this month. Hey, ease up, those folks in Iraq got real problems to deal with. Here of course everything is perfect.
Next time I will take on the water and school board! That is really where it all starts.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Business trip
I just got back from a week long sales trip to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. It was a long week with lots of planes, long car rides, and new customers. The good news is our product was well received at every stop. There were a few skeptics of course, but when people saw our demo system they were impressed. I tend to shoot straight with people and add a little dash of humor to keep them smiling and people seem to respond well.
It is really amazing the bill of goods that people have been sold about Zigbee. I guess we all want to believe deep down inside that "things" will be easy! No matter what it is, we are conditioned to be believers - - -even when we know better.
I had one customer ask me if our system would support 65,000 nodes. He is an engineer who is currently using Zigbee from one of our competitors. Currently he would be happy if he could get 10 working well. I told him in theory, we could support 65K nodes. I also told him that I wanted to be there when it happened, as I was sure it would be a train wreck like we had never seen before. He laughed, but I had the distinct impression that if I had said sure it would. that he would have believed. Like most of us he wanted to!
One thing that was of particular interest was the fact that I did not see one single customer who was using Zigbee (or planned to) in what I would call a classic application. Tells me we best keep our pocket knives handy. We will be trimming a lot of square pegs to go in round holes if we are to be successful!
I have a weeks worth of action items to work on next week, so it will be a busy week.
Ah yes the joys of pressing the flesh!
It is really amazing the bill of goods that people have been sold about Zigbee. I guess we all want to believe deep down inside that "things" will be easy! No matter what it is, we are conditioned to be believers - - -even when we know better.
I had one customer ask me if our system would support 65,000 nodes. He is an engineer who is currently using Zigbee from one of our competitors. Currently he would be happy if he could get 10 working well. I told him in theory, we could support 65K nodes. I also told him that I wanted to be there when it happened, as I was sure it would be a train wreck like we had never seen before. He laughed, but I had the distinct impression that if I had said sure it would. that he would have believed. Like most of us he wanted to!
One thing that was of particular interest was the fact that I did not see one single customer who was using Zigbee (or planned to) in what I would call a classic application. Tells me we best keep our pocket knives handy. We will be trimming a lot of square pegs to go in round holes if we are to be successful!
I have a weeks worth of action items to work on next week, so it will be a busy week.
Ah yes the joys of pressing the flesh!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Rural Life
Barb and I went to the lake this weekend as we do most weekends. It is Nice to get away to a simpler environment and decompress. Friday night we went up the road to a little town called Anderson. Anderson has a population of less than 1000 souls. We have passed through several times and noticed a restaurant that is always busy. It is call the "Fish Creel". We had asked our neighbors and they said that the food there was not to good, but the crowds would indicate otherwise, so we decided to try the place out.
We arrived at 6:00 which was definitely the rush hour for the Fish Creel, as there was no place to park. We ended up walking about 100 yards to get there so we just knew it must be good.
The first thing we noticed was that there were more tables for 6, 8, and 10 than there were for 4, and that there were no tables for 2. It soon became apparent that everyone knew everyone else. There was a great deal of table to table visiting and hugging going on. I overheard a lot of conversations that revolved around checking on every one's family status. You know the kind I am speaking of: "hows aunt Bertha", "I hard Purvis's daughter go saved last Sunday", I saw you uncle Bob in town last week, and he was looking better".
The neighbors were right, the food was awful, but it was clear that was not the draw of the place. When your in the Fish Creel restaurant you are among friends and family who care and are glad to see you.
Dr. Steven Covey would say they were getting their "emotional bank accounts filled". I guess he is right, but in rural America they were just being good friends and neighbors.
I know "visiting" is a big part of my daily sustanance. I think we could all stand a lot more of that kind of contact.
Have you visited with anyone today? It sure makes the bad food go down easy!
We arrived at 6:00 which was definitely the rush hour for the Fish Creel, as there was no place to park. We ended up walking about 100 yards to get there so we just knew it must be good.
The first thing we noticed was that there were more tables for 6, 8, and 10 than there were for 4, and that there were no tables for 2. It soon became apparent that everyone knew everyone else. There was a great deal of table to table visiting and hugging going on. I overheard a lot of conversations that revolved around checking on every one's family status. You know the kind I am speaking of: "hows aunt Bertha", "I hard Purvis's daughter go saved last Sunday", I saw you uncle Bob in town last week, and he was looking better".
The neighbors were right, the food was awful, but it was clear that was not the draw of the place. When your in the Fish Creel restaurant you are among friends and family who care and are glad to see you.
Dr. Steven Covey would say they were getting their "emotional bank accounts filled". I guess he is right, but in rural America they were just being good friends and neighbors.
I know "visiting" is a big part of my daily sustanance. I think we could all stand a lot more of that kind of contact.
Have you visited with anyone today? It sure makes the bad food go down easy!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Harley Davidson, the economy ride - -
Well I guess I have heard it all now. I was on my way to work this morning and heard an ad for Harley that went something like this - -"Tired of the high price of gas? Harley's average 52 miles to the gallon." I own a Harley, and yes it does get really good gas mileage, but give me a break. Owning a Harley is one of the most expensive hobbies a person can have. If I am not mistaken it ranks right behind collecting fine art.
You start by paying way to much for the motorcycle, which is really just a place to hang expensive chrome and leather. Then you have to dress the part. Who would have guessed that you can easily spend $600 or $800 just to look like you are a bum who can't afford new clothes, and that is before the boots!
The only place you don't overspend is on a helmet. You just can't look Harley cool in a DOT approved helmet. No way! What you do is buy a plastic Nazi helmet that offers the same protection as aluminum foil. But not to worry, remember you have on those really heavy boots. Just remember to land on your feet when you leave the beer garden and run into the side of the 18 wheeler.
Let's face it, a lot of folks buy a Harley because they can't afford the most expensive hobby in the world - -owning a boat!
When you buy your Harley, you are thinking about a lot of things, but saving money on gas - - no way!
Nice try though, I will have to give you that. Hope you didn't spend the entire add budget on that one. At least hold a little something back for the "free" Budweiser do rags! We really like to wear those when we are buying chrome and leather.
You start by paying way to much for the motorcycle, which is really just a place to hang expensive chrome and leather. Then you have to dress the part. Who would have guessed that you can easily spend $600 or $800 just to look like you are a bum who can't afford new clothes, and that is before the boots!
The only place you don't overspend is on a helmet. You just can't look Harley cool in a DOT approved helmet. No way! What you do is buy a plastic Nazi helmet that offers the same protection as aluminum foil. But not to worry, remember you have on those really heavy boots. Just remember to land on your feet when you leave the beer garden and run into the side of the 18 wheeler.
Let's face it, a lot of folks buy a Harley because they can't afford the most expensive hobby in the world - -owning a boat!
When you buy your Harley, you are thinking about a lot of things, but saving money on gas - - no way!
Nice try though, I will have to give you that. Hope you didn't spend the entire add budget on that one. At least hold a little something back for the "free" Budweiser do rags! We really like to wear those when we are buying chrome and leather.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Terrorism- - The Real Deal
I took a few days off for the 4th. I spent 5 days at the lake with no computers! Lots of time to read and reflect. This generally leads to more "Ravings", this time was no exception.
I generally think of terrorists in the same way I think of gang members in a big city - -uneducated people living in poverty with no hope for a better life, with no regard for life - theirs or others. A situation where crime and violence is the way you make a living and survive. I tend to think if only they had a way out they could turn their lives around - - -
Maybe gang members fit this image I have, but terrorist, well last week reminded me of what we are really up against. The terrorist attacks in England were carried out by Doctors and medical students. Good jobs, educated, all the creature comforts! These "people" have a hatred for us and our way of life that is beyond anything we can comprehend. They really are convinced that we are the devil and we must all convert to Islam or be killed.
On the 4th we celebrated Independence Day. If we intend to protect our way of life and our right to live free, we must take stock of our enemy. Political correctness be damned, we must be prepared to defend country and our way of life.
I don't know the answer, but I do know we are not taking the threat seroiusly enough! This is not about politics, it is about survival!
I generally think of terrorists in the same way I think of gang members in a big city - -uneducated people living in poverty with no hope for a better life, with no regard for life - theirs or others. A situation where crime and violence is the way you make a living and survive. I tend to think if only they had a way out they could turn their lives around - - -
Maybe gang members fit this image I have, but terrorist, well last week reminded me of what we are really up against. The terrorist attacks in England were carried out by Doctors and medical students. Good jobs, educated, all the creature comforts! These "people" have a hatred for us and our way of life that is beyond anything we can comprehend. They really are convinced that we are the devil and we must all convert to Islam or be killed.
On the 4th we celebrated Independence Day. If we intend to protect our way of life and our right to live free, we must take stock of our enemy. Political correctness be damned, we must be prepared to defend country and our way of life.
I don't know the answer, but I do know we are not taking the threat seroiusly enough! This is not about politics, it is about survival!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Reunion
My wife and I attended her reunion this weekend. It was one of those things that was not class specific. Anyone from 1932 (when the school was founded) to the class of 1975 were invited. The school is small so they group classes to try and get people to participate. Barb graduated in 1966 so we had already attended her 40th last year. This was a bonus for her. Most of the people in this community don't "wander" to far from home when they graduate, but several people had travelled some distance to spend time with old friends. (and in some cases I do mean OLD).
We are fortunate to have grown up in the South in a farming area. Roots run deep here, so you always feel at home when you come back. There were maybe 125 people in attendance, and it was a very nice experience for Barb. I guess I should note that I did not go to this school, or live in this community growing up. I knew a few people, but not many.
Barb's class had a classmate to pass away recently so they had funded a scholarship in her honor. Barb made the presentation, and did a great job.
You know you are in the South when dinner is a buffet of Fried fish, fried chicken, and fried chicken livers. My kind of people, my kind of food!
We are fortunate to have grown up in the South in a farming area. Roots run deep here, so you always feel at home when you come back. There were maybe 125 people in attendance, and it was a very nice experience for Barb. I guess I should note that I did not go to this school, or live in this community growing up. I knew a few people, but not many.
Barb's class had a classmate to pass away recently so they had funded a scholarship in her honor. Barb made the presentation, and did a great job.
You know you are in the South when dinner is a buffet of Fried fish, fried chicken, and fried chicken livers. My kind of people, my kind of food!
Friday, June 8, 2007
A Great Goal
I am behind on my posting, it has been a very busy week. I want to go back and post about last weekend. I was at the lake and my neighbor, Nat, wanted me to help him put up his flag pole. Nat is 79 years old. He is very quick witted and mentally sharp and in very good health for his age. He is very active and works in his yard or around the house constantly.
Barb and I love to watch Nat fishing. Whether he is using a spinning rod or his trusty fly rod he is very graceful in his motion. Watching him fish late in the evening is almost a surreal scene. It is very relaxing for us as just to watch him at his task.
A month ago we arrived at the lake to find that we had a new flag flying on our flagpole. We fly our flag all the time so it has gotten tattered. Nat told me that the flag needed to fly "proud" so he replaced it.
All this brings me to the reason for my raving today. I have know Nat for 3 years now, and he practices the adage if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything. In that vain he is quick to look for the good and praise.
I have noticed over time that Nat's highest praise for someone is that they were a "good citizen". If they were really outstanding in his eyes, he might add that they were "a solid member of the community".
It has given me pause to think about what greater aspiration any of us could have than to be a good citizen and a solid member of the community. What better goals could we have for raising our children?
Barb and I love to watch Nat fishing. Whether he is using a spinning rod or his trusty fly rod he is very graceful in his motion. Watching him fish late in the evening is almost a surreal scene. It is very relaxing for us as just to watch him at his task.
A month ago we arrived at the lake to find that we had a new flag flying on our flagpole. We fly our flag all the time so it has gotten tattered. Nat told me that the flag needed to fly "proud" so he replaced it.
All this brings me to the reason for my raving today. I have know Nat for 3 years now, and he practices the adage if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything. In that vain he is quick to look for the good and praise.
I have noticed over time that Nat's highest praise for someone is that they were a "good citizen". If they were really outstanding in his eyes, he might add that they were "a solid member of the community".
It has given me pause to think about what greater aspiration any of us could have than to be a good citizen and a solid member of the community. What better goals could we have for raising our children?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
How you can tell
Well if you have ever wondered how to tell when you are old - -I think I know. We went to see Pirates of the Caribbean III tonight with my niece. The show was too long, all I could think about was that it cost $24 dollars for the 3 of us to get in, and popcorn and 3 drinks were another $18. Yep, I'm old.
Next thing you know I will be telling people that we walked 6 miles to and from school up hill both directions with the temp at 30 below.
Ah how I miss the good old days.
Next thing you know I will be telling people that we walked 6 miles to and from school up hill both directions with the temp at 30 below.
Ah how I miss the good old days.
First Post
Just returned from a quick lunch and decided that this was as good a time as any to get started! Many thanks to Rick for helping me (pushing) to get this started. If Rick had not set it up for me I would still be "studying".
If there is to be a theme for this, I have not found it. Perhaps that is what ravings are all about. My first rant is about spell check. I am widely regarded as one of the worst spellers on the planet. Thank goodness for Pat. I accept this as a missing gene, since I don't want to consider the fact that I didn't pay attention in school.
I am pretty sure there are many of us out there with the same missing gene, we will call it BR549, that said why would anyone ever enable a spell checker that did not also have auto suggest! This is clearly an attempt to humiliate us as a group! It is bad enough that we have to guess about "to" vs "too" and "loose" vs "lose".
I think I may give up any attempt at written communication in the future.
Is there such a thing as a 1 post blog?
If there is to be a theme for this, I have not found it. Perhaps that is what ravings are all about. My first rant is about spell check. I am widely regarded as one of the worst spellers on the planet. Thank goodness for Pat. I accept this as a missing gene, since I don't want to consider the fact that I didn't pay attention in school.
I am pretty sure there are many of us out there with the same missing gene, we will call it BR549, that said why would anyone ever enable a spell checker that did not also have auto suggest! This is clearly an attempt to humiliate us as a group! It is bad enough that we have to guess about "to" vs "too" and "loose" vs "lose".
I think I may give up any attempt at written communication in the future.
Is there such a thing as a 1 post blog?
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