YouTube remains one of the best things to hit the Web since its inception. I've been using it to check out music a lot lately. Tonight, it has been Pearl Jam realted. The first is this sick version of Porch from Amsterdam last summer:
If you've ever watched the Letterman show, you know bands often jam into commerical. Well, check out this gem of Pete Townshend and Eddie Vedder:
Now, to get back to the top 10 concert list...
Friday, May 25, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Brain Dump...
I never intended this blog to venture into the realm of disucssing my work situation. But, I feel current circumstances warrent it. My boss is leaving. Ideally, I'm hopeful this will be a a great opportuniity for me. We'll see.
Rainy weekend with nothing but me up to my elbows in paint as we put the finishing touches in place for baby 2.0. Let's see if I can't get back to that Top 10 concert list.
Rainy weekend with nothing but me up to my elbows in paint as we put the finishing touches in place for baby 2.0. Let's see if I can't get back to that Top 10 concert list.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Orbiting The Giant Hairball...
I recently finished reading "Orbiting the Giant Hairball" for the second time in my life. It's written by the late Gordon Mackenzie and details the unconventional jobs he created for himself while employed at Hallmark for 30 years as a means to break out of the corporate rigmarole and foster creativity in his colleagues. It's a interesting and leveling read which instilled a certain levity for me.
I was initially turned-on to the book about fours years ago when I was experiencing similar corporate work issues that have plagued me recently. Upon first read, I felt it was an interesting, but wholly unrealistic approach to finding a niche a work. However, this time, i did wonder if it was actually parts the were feasible. While I don' t think my current role affords me the opportunity to create a zen-like, think-tank that he did, I do wonder if there is a way to carve-out something different for myself.
My initial thought is that my current company could use a role that would allow people to come and air their problems/frustrations without the fear of being within a human resources role. In fact, I'm thinking "Listener" would be the appropriate title.
Too often, I think people find themselves caught in difficult work situation and have no where to turn. Sure, they may be able to vent with friends or colleagues. Or, things may be seer enough that they end up going to their HR representative, only to find the HR person tends to side more with the business versus their problem. So, people may be afraid to go and this only leads to workers internalizing their feeling and problems, which is not productive for no one. The Listener would be there to do just that, listen. But workers would benefit from the fact they feel there problems have been "documented."
Obviously there are certain grey areas here -- anything from a related degree to when you would escalate problems -- but I think I may be on to something. I'm not sure I can stay in PR forever. The job is too stressful, too often and because of my "wear it on my sleeve" emotional state, I worry it could could affect my health down line. This might be a solution. In the meantime, go give Gordon's book a read.
I was initially turned-on to the book about fours years ago when I was experiencing similar corporate work issues that have plagued me recently. Upon first read, I felt it was an interesting, but wholly unrealistic approach to finding a niche a work. However, this time, i did wonder if it was actually parts the were feasible. While I don' t think my current role affords me the opportunity to create a zen-like, think-tank that he did, I do wonder if there is a way to carve-out something different for myself.
My initial thought is that my current company could use a role that would allow people to come and air their problems/frustrations without the fear of being within a human resources role. In fact, I'm thinking "Listener" would be the appropriate title.
Too often, I think people find themselves caught in difficult work situation and have no where to turn. Sure, they may be able to vent with friends or colleagues. Or, things may be seer enough that they end up going to their HR representative, only to find the HR person tends to side more with the business versus their problem. So, people may be afraid to go and this only leads to workers internalizing their feeling and problems, which is not productive for no one. The Listener would be there to do just that, listen. But workers would benefit from the fact they feel there problems have been "documented."
Obviously there are certain grey areas here -- anything from a related degree to when you would escalate problems -- but I think I may be on to something. I'm not sure I can stay in PR forever. The job is too stressful, too often and because of my "wear it on my sleeve" emotional state, I worry it could could affect my health down line. This might be a solution. In the meantime, go give Gordon's book a read.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Freeeze-Frame
I had a moment last weekend that has forever captured a single moment in my mind's eye that I will infinitely treasure. I was sitting at the Big Apple Circus with my son on my lap when I looked at him taking it in all in with the biggest smile I've ever seen. You can find no better illustration or definition of pure joy than what was on his face in that moment. It's melted my heart every time I've thought it since.
Perhaps I'm a bit more emotional in the face of my soon-to-arrive second son, but something seminal happened in that freeze-frame I've locked away forever. It may be the realization that these are the last few weeks I'll have in my life when I'm a father to one son, I really can't put a finger on it. More so, it may be that I'm obviously more in tune with what it means to a father than I ever was when Nate was first born. The cliche that your life is ever the same when you have kids is true for a reason. For me, it took me nearly a year before that major reality sunk in.
But, it did.
I know I will look forward to, and treasure, many more events and little moments, big and small, for the rest of my life. But, that one moment on cool early May day in 2007 will forever be the picture of my little boy I keep in my mind and heart. For it is the purest, most innocent love I have ever experienced.
Perhaps I'm a bit more emotional in the face of my soon-to-arrive second son, but something seminal happened in that freeze-frame I've locked away forever. It may be the realization that these are the last few weeks I'll have in my life when I'm a father to one son, I really can't put a finger on it. More so, it may be that I'm obviously more in tune with what it means to a father than I ever was when Nate was first born. The cliche that your life is ever the same when you have kids is true for a reason. For me, it took me nearly a year before that major reality sunk in.
But, it did.
I know I will look forward to, and treasure, many more events and little moments, big and small, for the rest of my life. But, that one moment on cool early May day in 2007 will forever be the picture of my little boy I keep in my mind and heart. For it is the purest, most innocent love I have ever experienced.
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