Perhaps There Is Some Hope For Me After All

The Art Director at the college paid us a huge compliment when she said that she had never seen the regional art show presented as well as it was this year. Since Suzie and I played the major part in the display and layout, I took that as a distinct compliment to our collaborative artistic efffort. What with me being a left-brain IT guy, my more creative right-brain self took that as incredible and welcome praise. Who knows, perhaps there is a new career in the making here...or perhaps it was just the product of my recent emotional pain and anguish that sparked a creative fire in me...who knows;-)

A Worthy Effort...and Fun at That

I volunteered to help Trish (my ex-assistant) with the setup for our annual regional art show at Columbia Basin College, where we showcase, judge and send on to the state competition, the best of our region's high school students' art. It was two days of hard work, but one that was just what the doctor ordered for me...a cause in which to expend all of my nervous energy, an opportunity to make new friends and a worthy effort on top of all of that. The quality of the product of our students' creativity never ceases to amaze me and, in sheer quantity, our show is always the largest in the state, therefore we have the privelege of sending more entrants on to the state competition. This year we are showing over 530 pieces of art, and that means that we had to check in, provide space for, hang and display all of that in two days! We did have a good team, most of the teachers pitched in, and we were fortunate to receive the assistance of an art student from the college. I had the pleasure of spending most of those two days working with Suzie, who was bright, creative and an effective compliment to my more analytical side. We made a good team, worked hard, had fun and collaborated on some very creative displays; accounting for well over 25% of the total pieces displayed. We worked well together and had fun getting it all done, even if it was a long couple of days. For me, it was the first time in over a week that I have been able to put other matters out of my mind and devote my energy into something truly productive.

They Just Don't Get It...

and probably never will. After many discussions with the boss about our leadership's level of "emotional intelligence" or empathy for their employees, I am afraid that I may be fighting a losing battle. The question goes back to all of the current philosophy on leadership and corporate culture...if leaders do not possess the quality of empathy then they can never "develop" it, as it is an inborn trait, not a learned skill, and before a good organization can achieve greatness, the leaders must possess a great degree of empathy for those that they lead. So it would appear that if my perceptions are accurate, we are destined to remain mired in mediocrity, lead by a group that does not possess the skills necessary to pull us up out of the muck of average-ness, nor are they able to be sufficiently introspective to see their failing, or honest enough to admit it. I have to confess though, that it may be unrealistic to expect them, or any human being with any sense of ego or pride, to be able to admit to such a foundational shortcoming in their leadership abilities. It does make one wonder though, if that was the case, why they would continue to promote our exploration of these philosophies which, if we whole-heartedly embrace and understand them, will lead us to recognize these shortcomings in the very leaders that are encouraging us to delve into them. Perhaps they are so lacking in empathy that they don't know that they don't have it, because they truly have no concept of what it feels like to have it! If so, then I am most likely fighting a battle that I can never win and the one question that I have to ask myself is whether or not I will ever achieve anything other than keeping things constantly stirred up in a vain attempt to fix something when I have no chance of first convincing them that anything is broken? So maybe, in the final analysis, I am the one that doesn't get it!!!

[Listening to: Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers - Hot Fuss (03:54)]

Truer Words Were Never Spoken

"Everyone in love is something of an idiot"...O, Já!
(Alan Shore from Boston Legal)

[Listening to: What Do I Get? - Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady (02:54)]

It Never Rains, But That It Pours

Great, now in the most appropriate commentary of all on my present mood...it rains! It appears as if God does indeed have a sense of humor after all;-) Maybe one day, I will get mine back...nótt, nótt

[Listening to: Ruby Soho - Rancid - And Out Come the Wolves (02:38)]

Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

Sometimes it is a red-hot dagger driven right through the center of your heart, in other words...it just plain hurts!

[Listening to: Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (03:19)]

Michael Fullan

I had yet another occassion to partake of this visionary's always-inspirational insight on educational reform, change, and leadership. We have hosted three of his conferences and I make it a point to work every one of them. First and foremost, out of respect to the man, I would not risk to chance the quality of the technical support. Not that I am perfect, but I am, quite frankly, as good as they come in my realm of expertise and a speaker of his stature deserves no less than to be supported by a technologist of the same caliber. Secondly, and the most personally gratifying, is that I always come away from listening to him speak, with at least one epiphany. This one was no exception and revolved around the concept that great leaders possess a high degree of "emotional intelligence" or empathy for people. No sooner did he get the words out then I realized that this was the missing attribute of our leadership that has caused me so much angst and frustration, their general lack of empathy for those that they lead. More later on the far-reaching implications of this realization...vertu svalur, y'all

[Listening to: Leave Me Alone (Album Version) - The Veronicas - The Secret Life Of... (03:29)]

Pretty, But Mentally Challenging

A more accurate description for her I could not have come up with if I had tried, O já!...vertu svalur og glaður allan tímann líka

[Listening to: Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams (03:04)]

Er Þessi Ég?

Hmm...I don't know, what do you think?

How You Are In Love

You take a while to fall in love with someone. Trust takes time. You give completely and unconditionally in relationships. You tend to get very attached when you're with someone. You want to see your love all the time. You love your partner unconditionally and don't try to make them change. You stay in love for a long time, even if you aren't loved back. When you fall, you fall hard.

How Are You In Love?

A Brief Return to Winter

My midnight run tonight reminded me that Old Man Winter has not yet relinquished his icy grip on the season. The temperature is in the mid-twenties, heading for the single digits (farenheit, that is), with a stiff north wind blowing. Personally, I am glad to see that there is a wee bit of the frost left to be enjoyed before Spring begins it's awakening...vertu svalur (literally, even;-)

[Listening to: Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (03:19)]

NCCE 2006

Well, the conference has ended, everyone has packed up and I am home again. I would have to say that this year's conference was one of the more enjoyable ones for me. The discussions were engaging and visionary, my nomination of Alan Walker for the Technology Leader of the Year was successful, I made some new contacts in the industry and participated more with the leadership of the tech community. Glenn's management of the technology of the conference was successful, at least partially because he has a good team with which to work. On the downside, I have to admit that bidding David Walddon a heartfelt farewell from OSPI as he heads off to Microsoft was one of the most bittersweet moments that I have experienced in quite a while. I shall miss his leadership, humor and friendship while wishing him and his family all of the best that life has to offer.

Of course, being apart from the one that I wish most to be with always drives my desire to return home almost as soon as I depart. I know that the term "sweet misery" may seem contradictory, but not to anyone who has experienced the intense longing for another that I feel for her...and I hope that the misery never ends;-)

[Listening to: You Were Meant For Me (LP Version) - Jewel - Pieces Of You (04:14)]

Dive Karaoke

One of the Microsoft gals expressed a desire for some "dive karaoke" and so last night the Microsoft, Dell, and HP gang and myself and some tech ladies from Puyallup went out to the Alibi Bar. It was easy to find, even for someone unfamiliar with the dark streets of the Swan Lake district of Portland, all we had to do was look for the garish neon sign and throwback 60's Tiki bar decor. Once inside, the retro look continued, but the staff was accomodating, the crowd lively, and the singing about as bad as one would expect...especially ours;-) We did have a heck of a good time, the locals contributed greatly to the atmosphere, and our gang did themselves proud. For myself, I drank about 8 margaritas, sang very little, but danced back-up to the gals whenever the opportunity presented itself. We finally gave it up about midnight so that we could grab a little sleep before the morning conference sessions began and I found myself giving the Puyallup trio a ride back to their hotel. I would say that the company was enjoyable, a GREAT time was had by all and we definitely drowned some demons that night...Jáhúú

[Listening to: Thank You - Dido - No Angel (03:38)]

...With Liberal Applications of Chocolate...Auðvitað!

I have to admit that I am proud of my baby girl. She took her first broken heart in stride and seems to bouncing back quite well, after a little bout of feeling sorry for herself. She went to school the next day, head held up and proud, and has never looked back. Of course, she does admit that chocolate, Cheetos and Cherry Coke were her constant companions for a couple of days;-) But, between that and good friends, she seems not too much worse for the wear. I did pass along all of y'alls best wishes and good advice and she has asked me to give y'all a huge, virtual group hug and tell you how much she appreciated the support. I personally liked the Ben and Jerry's therapy idea myself...New York Super Fudge Crunch, of course!!!

[Listening to: Everything to Me - Liz Phair - Everything To Me/Clean (03:18)]

Superbowl Ads...and the Winners Are:

"Best Soundtrack"


"Most Awwww-ful"

Of course, I mean didn't y'all just say "Awwww" when you first watched it...I know I did!

"A Friend's Favorite"


"Overall Best Commercial for 2006":


Bonus!!! From Super Bowl XXXVII and Still One of My Favorites:

How Do You Mend A Broken Heart?

It finally happened...my "little girl" has suffered her first real break-up. It actually happened while I was talking to her on the telephone and Cecil (aka the jerk that broke my baby's heart) actually broke up with her by texting Victoria on her cell phone! I mean, c'mon guy, at least have the nerve to tell her to her face, or at least let her hear it with your own voice! A sign of the times perhaps, but still a bit cold and unfeeling I think. So, here is the girl who it only seems like yesterday that I was brushing her hair before school and trying to get her to decide whether it was to be a pony tail, pig tails, or braids (which I never did fully master) today, often all three, one after the other, as she changed her mind, with Daddy dutifully obliging; now 18 years old and crying because some guy dumps her because he "doesn't feel the same about her any more." About the only advice that I could give her was to go ahead and get her crying done, have a good old-fashioned pity party, complete with chocolate and ice cream, get what sleep she could, get up tomorrow and go to school, walking tall and proud and letting everyone see who the REAL loser was! I mean, after all, she IS the most beautiful, intelligent and charming girl that God has put on this earth, so who is she to back down from anyone who treats her as anything less. Anyway, she seemed to feel a bit better after we commiserated and schemed a bit, even had a laugh or to before we had to end the call. Of course, I am certain that she will bounce back quickly and be on to future loves and heartbreaks...WAIT, what the hell am I saying, this is still Daddy's little angel;-) Ahh, to return to the simpler times of our lives, and wonderful ones at that. But then, that might make life too easy and what would be the challenge in that, eh?...vertu svalur og glaður allan tímann líka

By The Light of the Silvery Moon...or is it?

I hope that y'all had the chance to view the slim crescent moon as it set in the clear early-evening sky tonight, though you had to look quick, as it set about an hour after sunset. If not, then you might have another chance tomorrow, assuming that the skies stay clear. If they do, then look to the southwest about 6:00 pm tomorrow and you might be treated to a glimpse of one of my favorite sky-watching phenomena. The moon should still appear to the casual observer to be a slim, silvery crescent in the darkening sky. However, if you look closely at the so-called "dark" portion of the moon, you will see that it is actually very dimly lit. This soft, almost eerie, glow is very aptly named "earthshine" and results from sunlight reflecting off of the earth, back to the moon, and then back yet again to our planet, and your eyes. While most of the time I successfully ignore the science of the heavens and just enjoy the splendor that nature puts before me for its own intrinsic beauty, in this case I find that the science actually lends a bit of mystique and intrigue to the event and is therefore allowed to intrude upon the moment. In fact, next to a brilliant full moon on a sultry summer's night, I find the silvery crescent moon and its ghostly aura to be one of the more beautiful and romantic sights in the evening sky; see it with someone you love!

Dancing The Night Away

Last night we had our company "Employee Dinner" or "Holiday Celebration" or what EVER we are calling it this year. Though I rale against all of the political correctness that seems to be pervading our agency of late and resulting in stupidity such as that prevents us from having a CHRISTMAS PARTY, it WAS fun. We had a DJ this year, but our group seem to be quite a bit more laid back and prefers to watch folks singing karaoke instead of dancing. Of course, I could not let this travesty of partydom continue for long and ended up having to dance while others were singing to get the real party started. We ended up dancing the last half of the evening, at least the young and the females amongst us...oh, that includes me too;-) It was a blast, though the crowd thinned out pretty quick, but I noticed that attendance was way down and hope that getting the word out that the entertainment is a bit more lively now will help get more folks to show up next year. Who knows, with a larger crowd, perhaps certain others will get up and dance, I mean is it too much to ask to have just one dance together?...okay, maybe two;-) Now I have to work on reversing the PC trend and get our CHRISTMAS PARTY back! Oh well, I do so love a challenge.

[Listening to: Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams (04:22)]

What goes up, must...

Snowshoeing...Way Cool!!!

We went up to Snoqualamie Pass today for a REI snowshoeing clinic. They had representatives there from all of the major snowshoe companies set up in tents. Once you signed in you could make the rounds of the tents and try out any or all of the different models available on the mountain. The Mountaineers Lodge is an old ski lodge and had some nice slopes and great trails through the pine trees. I tried out all of the available snowshoes and spent the day having a blast running up and down the mountain, weaving through the trees, and learning the pitfalls of jumping creeks with snowshoes on (something that DEFINITELY requires some practice;-), and climbing out of creeks after you miss the jump. It was great fun and something that I have been wanting to do for some time. After all, it extends the hiking season into the winter months and with all of the trips that I make through the mountains, I will be carrying a set of snowshoes with me from now on, O já!

[Listening to: Precious (U.S. Radio Version) - Depeche Mode - Precious (04:08)]

Gleðilegt Nýár

I can only hope that the new year is kinder and more gentle than the old,
That all men, everywhere, look to each other as brothers,
And to all women as their equals.
That hunger, poverty and war are as foreign to us as is the Dodo,
And that tsunamis, genocide and sexual predators are just a bad dream.
I hope that the new year finds my distant friends a bit closer to me in the heart,
That all who know me always think fondly of me,
And that no one, anywhere, considers life to be so hopeless as to end it prematurely.
I hope that everyone, everywhere, always find the time to stop and smell the roses,
That they take the time to tell their loved ones "I love you",
And to hug their children and tell them that they are the reason that God smiles!
I can only hope that y'all have the opportunity to love life as much as it deserves to be,
That life is as kind to you as you deserve it to be,
And that you pass the love along to all those who deserve it.
Happy New Year and all my best wishes and love go out to y'all,
For life would not be worth the living if it were it not for the love!

[Listening to: Where Does the Good Go - Tegan and Sara - So Jealous (03:37)]