My daughter and I had a dental cleaning at the same time. After our cleaning, we had to take the car to the mechanic and then get my wife's car.
After all that fun we went to lunch. By this time it was pretty apparent that she would not make it back to school. So I decided to have a leisurely lunch. The restaurant had only one other group eating. It was quiet. Best of all, her friends were in school so no texting. In a nutshell, no distractions.
It is amazing how much you learn when you are not in a hurry and are actually interested in what your child has to say. I continue to be amazed at her observation skills and how she resents people talking bad about others. Perhaps a trait I most admire, she looks for the good in people.
She made the high school cheer team. She shows alot of thought about that. In order to keep performing at a level she expects, she wants to continue with gym classes and tumbling.
She also decided she wants to start running. Her brother took her, he runs on the high school track team and also cross country. It was hard on her.
What I learned is how smart she is. She also realizes things she needs to learn, like what exactly is a tax and why do we pay for it. That was an interesting discussion.
I may not get another opportunity like this, but I sure enjoyed this one.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
David Gergen
I was on my personal twitter account today (I have three) and read a question from David Gergen.
He asked what are you thankful for? That is a great question and one that I think most people could not put in 140 characters. It is also worthy of some thought.
My response was my family, friends and a country that allows me to follow dreams and pursue opportunities.
Allow me to reflect on the last phrase. This one struck me as particularly relevant given the recent international events. People in countries rising up to declare we want a more inclusive country. Using tools developed in the U.S. (i.e. Twitter) citizens are saying we want a better way of life for us and our children. They are fighting for a better country.
What do they want? Much of what we in the U.S. take for granted. That would include rule of law, education, ability to pursue opportunity, worship (or not) in the religious church of your choice, peaceful transition of new leadership, participate (or not) in the political process, and the chance to follow dreams. Now understand, this is just my take.
As Peggy Noonan pointed out in today's Wall Street Journal, you can get pretty depressed if you base your idea of the U.S. on what is shown on TV. She has an excellent point. So many channels and networks put on shows that would indeed appear to dumb down quality. Perhaps that is a reflection of numerous choices and the ability of networks to segment viewers. I certainly question much of what is on. To this date I have not seen a reality show.
If you accept the previous paragraph, it is a reflection on just how innovative and diverse this country is. As a country, I think it also reflects how tolerant we are. That should be celebrated. Just remember, not all innovation is good.
Every Easter we celebrate the sacrifice by the Son of God that allows all to enrich their life, if they so choose. In the U.S. I can choose who I celebrate with, how I celebrate, and where I celebrate. Perhaps equally important, I will suffer no persecution or scorn. That in itself should be appreciated. So many people in the world do not have any of those options.
He asked what are you thankful for? That is a great question and one that I think most people could not put in 140 characters. It is also worthy of some thought.
My response was my family, friends and a country that allows me to follow dreams and pursue opportunities.
Allow me to reflect on the last phrase. This one struck me as particularly relevant given the recent international events. People in countries rising up to declare we want a more inclusive country. Using tools developed in the U.S. (i.e. Twitter) citizens are saying we want a better way of life for us and our children. They are fighting for a better country.
What do they want? Much of what we in the U.S. take for granted. That would include rule of law, education, ability to pursue opportunity, worship (or not) in the religious church of your choice, peaceful transition of new leadership, participate (or not) in the political process, and the chance to follow dreams. Now understand, this is just my take.
As Peggy Noonan pointed out in today's Wall Street Journal, you can get pretty depressed if you base your idea of the U.S. on what is shown on TV. She has an excellent point. So many channels and networks put on shows that would indeed appear to dumb down quality. Perhaps that is a reflection of numerous choices and the ability of networks to segment viewers. I certainly question much of what is on. To this date I have not seen a reality show.
If you accept the previous paragraph, it is a reflection on just how innovative and diverse this country is. As a country, I think it also reflects how tolerant we are. That should be celebrated. Just remember, not all innovation is good.
Every Easter we celebrate the sacrifice by the Son of God that allows all to enrich their life, if they so choose. In the U.S. I can choose who I celebrate with, how I celebrate, and where I celebrate. Perhaps equally important, I will suffer no persecution or scorn. That in itself should be appreciated. So many people in the world do not have any of those options.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Volunteering
This week (and weekend) I am helping my wife comply with the requirements for accreditation for the Community Foundation of West Kentucky. The accreditation agency is the Council on Foundations, a nationally based association. By going through this work, a community foundation is forced to take a hard look at every practice in place. It truly is a comprehensive review.
To give you an idea of the magnitude of the process, you must complete the work and include the required documentation for all 35 tabs. This is not a project for the light hearted or non detailed oriented individual.
You must respond to countless requests. Examples include articles of incorporation, by laws, amendments, corporate resolutions, annual reports, newspaper clippings, newsletters, and minutes of board and executive committee meetings. It is not just providing the requested documents; you must read each one and show how it answers a point within each of the 35 tabs. It is a strenuous process, but then any worthwhile accreditation exercise is exactly that.
If you want an idea of what a community foundation is, go to http://www.cfwk.org/ and read the description. You may have one in your area. These are excellent vehicles to endow funds and use it for philanthropic benefit.
Now I know what you are thinking. You have to "volunteer". Perhaps at first that is what I felt or more like she needs the help.
Upon reflection. I have enjoyed my time at the community foundation offices. One of the least tasteful tasks I was given at the beginning and one I enjoyed the most at the end was reading all the board minutes since the foundation was started, over 16 years worth of board and executive committee minutes. What a rich and fascinating history the foundation has! You see what issues they struggled with at every meeting, the dedication of the volunteer board members, the growth pains, and other challenges.
My first few days were spent working to complete tabs 6-18 and helping to finalizing tabs 1-5. Boy, did I gain a new level of appreciation.
What do I appreciate? You appreciate people that took good minutes and agendas. You appreciate clearly stated board resolutions, and governing documents. You appreciate the work others have done before you. You appreciate clearly understood filing (a truly misunderstood skill). You also appreciate what might be missing.
Perhaps most importantly, I volunteered. My list of personal benefits is numerous. For example, I have a far better understanding of her job, an increased knowledge of community foundations, an immense gratitude of the work of so many dedicated volunteer board members, the struggles of a non-profit organization, and the importance of working through an accreditation process.
The accreditation work spearheaded by my wife is among the most important milestones ever attempted and (hopefully) achieved by the community foundation. As a volunteer, I am pleased to play a small role.
To give you an idea of the magnitude of the process, you must complete the work and include the required documentation for all 35 tabs. This is not a project for the light hearted or non detailed oriented individual.
You must respond to countless requests. Examples include articles of incorporation, by laws, amendments, corporate resolutions, annual reports, newspaper clippings, newsletters, and minutes of board and executive committee meetings. It is not just providing the requested documents; you must read each one and show how it answers a point within each of the 35 tabs. It is a strenuous process, but then any worthwhile accreditation exercise is exactly that.
If you want an idea of what a community foundation is, go to http://www.cfwk.org/ and read the description. You may have one in your area. These are excellent vehicles to endow funds and use it for philanthropic benefit.
Now I know what you are thinking. You have to "volunteer". Perhaps at first that is what I felt or more like she needs the help.
Upon reflection. I have enjoyed my time at the community foundation offices. One of the least tasteful tasks I was given at the beginning and one I enjoyed the most at the end was reading all the board minutes since the foundation was started, over 16 years worth of board and executive committee minutes. What a rich and fascinating history the foundation has! You see what issues they struggled with at every meeting, the dedication of the volunteer board members, the growth pains, and other challenges.
My first few days were spent working to complete tabs 6-18 and helping to finalizing tabs 1-5. Boy, did I gain a new level of appreciation.
What do I appreciate? You appreciate people that took good minutes and agendas. You appreciate clearly stated board resolutions, and governing documents. You appreciate the work others have done before you. You appreciate clearly understood filing (a truly misunderstood skill). You also appreciate what might be missing.
Perhaps most importantly, I volunteered. My list of personal benefits is numerous. For example, I have a far better understanding of her job, an increased knowledge of community foundations, an immense gratitude of the work of so many dedicated volunteer board members, the struggles of a non-profit organization, and the importance of working through an accreditation process.
The accreditation work spearheaded by my wife is among the most important milestones ever attempted and (hopefully) achieved by the community foundation. As a volunteer, I am pleased to play a small role.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Washington and the Budget Showdown
Well, I have been following with great interest the budget discussions and posturing by our elected officials. We live in the greatest country in the world, it is just sometimes our elected leaders do not quite realize it.
Most interesting is the interviews on the various news shows. Elected representatives appear to focus less on the budget negotiations and proposed cuts, and more on how our side can blame the other side (and make it stick). Perhaps it is me, I find it humorous. And distracting.
Do not get me wrong, I know the stakes are big. However, the stakes are large in a different way. This could be the beginning of how we review and assess the federal budget and spending. I am not sure where it will end and in fact, it may not start if a budget deal is agreed upon.
So this blog entry is apparently pointless. According to FoxNews, a deal has been reached to fund the federal government through the current fiscal year. Our democracy, it maybe confusing, it maybe messy, it maybe complex, and it maybe difficult. It is still the best form of government. I greatly respect the members of Congress that face these issues every day.
Postscript
As I listen to the talking heads, I am surprised how so many seem to parrot talking points from both political parties. I know good analysts work for media companies, why don't we see and hear from them?
Now I am not claiming to be an expert on the federal budget, but I have read various Congressional documents on the budget process. You can download all of these for free. I even found a way to explain it so an 8 year old can understand it.
Most interesting is the interviews on the various news shows. Elected representatives appear to focus less on the budget negotiations and proposed cuts, and more on how our side can blame the other side (and make it stick). Perhaps it is me, I find it humorous. And distracting.
Do not get me wrong, I know the stakes are big. However, the stakes are large in a different way. This could be the beginning of how we review and assess the federal budget and spending. I am not sure where it will end and in fact, it may not start if a budget deal is agreed upon.
So this blog entry is apparently pointless. According to FoxNews, a deal has been reached to fund the federal government through the current fiscal year. Our democracy, it maybe confusing, it maybe messy, it maybe complex, and it maybe difficult. It is still the best form of government. I greatly respect the members of Congress that face these issues every day.
Postscript
As I listen to the talking heads, I am surprised how so many seem to parrot talking points from both political parties. I know good analysts work for media companies, why don't we see and hear from them?
Now I am not claiming to be an expert on the federal budget, but I have read various Congressional documents on the budget process. You can download all of these for free. I even found a way to explain it so an 8 year old can understand it.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
How The Mind Works
Last night I watched David Brooks discuss his new book The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement on CSPAN. It is about how our unconscious mind influences our intelligence, character and biases. He also discusses innovation and why we make certain choices.
One of many interesting points, he says a group was given a math problem to solve. They were in the same room and solved it in under10 minutes. A second group was given the same math problem, but they were working via email, no face-to-face contact. The second group solved the problem, but it took over 30 minutes. His point is face-to-face communication is usually far more productive, if the group dynamics are right.
Mr. Brooks is an interesting man with an interesting idea. He spent years researching this and talked to numerous experts. From my perspective, he does an excellent job relating his findings to non-experts like me.
It is worth watching. He talks for about 45 minutes. You can stop after the Q&A session starts. For those of you that do not know, David Brooks is a columnist for the “New York Times.” The link is: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/TheSoc.
Milestone
Friday was a milestone for me. My daughter left for her first weeklong trip without either parent. Before this she went to dance competitions with her mother for a week and she had overnight activities.
She left for New York City with a few of her dance friends and the dance choreographer. We took my daughter and son to New York City during Christmas in 2005. It is an amazing city.
Of course I miss her. The columnist David Brooks was speaking to the Free Philadelphia Library. He noted how less humble we as a country have become. He went on to say writing a column twice a week is a humbling experience. I have another one and it is more consistent and immediate – have a teenage daughter in the house. At least three times a day I am told that I am annoying, and I need to keep out of her business. Yes, thanks to her I am among the most humbled men in the U.S.
Since she is gone a void exists that needs to be filled. I am beginning to think I am evolving to perfection!!! No one rolls eyes at me. By the time she gets back she will need to tell me how imperfect I really am for at least 2 hours straight (believe me, she can do it). Daughter – text or call me before you get back. I am experiencing a new and odd feeling – perhaps I am realizing that I am not as dense as you tell me. DAUGHTER – SAVE ME FROM MYSELF!!!
Postscript
My daughter got back from New York City. I was so happy to see her, I picked her up and swung her around. In fairness to her, she was in a van for around 14 hours. It took her eight minutes to point out that I am annoying. I am humbled, yet again. Welcome back?
She left for New York City with a few of her dance friends and the dance choreographer. We took my daughter and son to New York City during Christmas in 2005. It is an amazing city.
Of course I miss her. The columnist David Brooks was speaking to the Free Philadelphia Library. He noted how less humble we as a country have become. He went on to say writing a column twice a week is a humbling experience. I have another one and it is more consistent and immediate – have a teenage daughter in the house. At least three times a day I am told that I am annoying, and I need to keep out of her business. Yes, thanks to her I am among the most humbled men in the U.S.
Since she is gone a void exists that needs to be filled. I am beginning to think I am evolving to perfection!!! No one rolls eyes at me. By the time she gets back she will need to tell me how imperfect I really am for at least 2 hours straight (believe me, she can do it). Daughter – text or call me before you get back. I am experiencing a new and odd feeling – perhaps I am realizing that I am not as dense as you tell me. DAUGHTER – SAVE ME FROM MYSELF!!!
Postscript
My daughter got back from New York City. I was so happy to see her, I picked her up and swung her around. In fairness to her, she was in a van for around 14 hours. It took her eight minutes to point out that I am annoying. I am humbled, yet again. Welcome back?
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