Jul 24 2008
Dave Jackson For President
I’ve had enough. We need some common sense in the White House.
Jul 07 2008
When I Grow Up…
Normally I don’t talk about things that involve other people, but this weekend I attended a great event. I went to a family reunion with the Nurse. I had a phenomenal time.
First thing first this family takes the time once a year to get together and catch up. How cool is that? In a day when many people don’t get along with their families, this one takes time to come from all over the place to get together.
The nurses Mom has an awesome laugh, and she never stopped. It was great.
I met an Uncle who is 92, and his legs didn’t work very well, and he used a Walker. Was he grumpy? Not at all. He had a smile on his face the entire day. When he got up to leave (getting up was a bit of a struggle) did he complain? Not one word. He loves life. He loves his family.
I also met an Uncle who had come in from California. Here was the interesting thing about this guy. He takes family ties very seriously. It sound like he would hunt down a 2nd cousin through marriage twice removed just to say hi. He also was a musician so obviously we started geeking out on music. But the thing that really got me, is how friendly this guy was. And I’m not talking about the plastic kind you get at business parties. When I left, he shook my hand, and I got the felling that if I said “Hey I’m going to be in California for 2 days, can I crash at your crib”; after knowing me for 4 hours he’d would not only say yes, but roll out the red carpet.
I remember when I used ot teach customer service classes I would explain to people to greeet your customers like an old high school buddy that you hadn’t seen in years, and this guy had it down, and the key point here is it was genuine.
I guess in a world of spoiled rich athletes, crooked politicians, greed, etc It’s kind of hard to find someone to say “When I grow I wanna be like him,” but after going to this picnic I want to be like these guys.
Jul 03 2008
He Was Here A Minute Ago
I lost my cousin Shawn Steinmetz this week. He was 33, and has two very young daughters. It was a freak bike accident. He was here a few weeks ago for my nieces graduation party, and now he’s gone. I don’t have all the details, and in reality it doesn’t matter.
Hug your kids. Call your parents. Love the one your with.
Speaking of Love…
On the way to Podcamp Ohio the Nurse (my girlfriend) and I drove to Columbus and listened to a book (something like saving your marriage before it even starts). Once again I hear how a man needs to make the woman feel cherished. To do this he has to give up anything she asks for. Then because she loves him, she will give it back. This seems inefficient. Why not just believe me, and we can bypass the giving and giving back. I guess it doesn’t work that way.
UPDATE
Please note: At the end of this podcast I mention how you “have to give up everything.” This is NOT what the book states. This is the “warped” version in my head. The bottom line is a relationship is give and take. My whole comment was its funny how you may need to give up something to show a woman that she is special, and important - and then she will give it back (and that this seems like alot of work to end up where you started).
Here is the Book
Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts
Jun 04 2008
Kids Are Like Electric Football
Today I introduce you to my new Great Nephew. He sure is little. It really drove home the point of how absolutely life changing kids are. I can honestly say that at age 43 I’m glad I don’t have this kind of responsibility that is soooo 24/7.
I talk about how “The Countess” has made the “Show Choir.” This scared me as if she had not made it, I would’ve been there for the melt down, and I want the best for all of “The Nurses” kids (and I’m not sure I could take watching the meltdown from the front row). Luckily I got to be part of the celebration.
One thing as I “Hang out” with children of all shapes and sizes, I can see where the roll of the parent really comes into play. Kids have their own personality. It sure seems like they are preprogrammed to go in a certain direction. It reminds me of “Electric Football.” A game my brother and I got for Christmas (pre-Atari). This game had some vibrating device on the bottom, and a flat (or supposed to be flat) surface that the players would stand on. You could adjust some stuff on the player, and point them in the direction you wanted to go. You had the perfect plan. Then you would turn on the electricity and half the team would fall over, another 20 percent would go in circles, and many of the player would end up in the corner driving straight into the wall because the surface wasn’t flat. As a parent (coach) you picked them back up and pointed them back in the direction you wanted to go, turn on the electricity and hope things turn out for the better.
Music “He’s My Baby!” from www.donaoxford.com (phenominal pianist/singer/songwriter). From the Podsafe Music Network at www.podsafemusicnetwork.com
