Is this an example of Irony?

We get visited frequently by our corporate counterparts around the country. This week I had my counterpart in the office from Sunny California.

As we took a break to step out to smoke he made a big production about getting two cups coffees to keep his hand warm in the *Explicative Explicative Cold*

As we went out side he quickly realized his folly since lighting and generally smoking requires the use of a free hand. He dumped his hot coffee and the ground and we enjoyed our little break.

After our meetings we went outside again.

Slipped on now frozen puddle of coffee and fell like a ton of bricks.

Ironic or not I am not sure when the last time I have laughed that hard at work was.

Pitfall

Does anyone remember the game Pitfall?

Thats what driving on a Minnesota pothole infested road feels like except you cant swing your car over the next hole on a vine.

Your Favorite Non-Nut

I know this is shocking to most people in fact this startling news fact may rewrite your entire snack history but a peanut is not a nut. It is a legume it belongs to the same family that beans do..that is all.

On Losing 900 Pounds

I took a walk on Friday. A short walk of about a block and and half down to the mailbox. I dropped three letters in the mailbox paying off the the remaining junk debt that I had. I can tell you it felt like I took 900 pound of weight off my shoulders and dropped it into that slot.

I felt lighter then air on the walk back. Like a balloon if I hadn't been holding my dogs leash I probably would have floated away.

It was a great feeling:)

Solving for X

In a galaxy long ago sat a little boy who relied on his intuition for decision making.
Feeling
Instinct
He wanted to know the formula for understanding life.
It's secrets
He wanted to know how the world worked and why.
So he went to school
He studied literature
Philosophy
Math
Computers
Accounting
Religion
Business
He earned an impressive list of degrees and distinctions

He battled belief
He fought blind faith.

He looked for his formula

One night as he sat in his Quantum Analysis MBA Class completing a Hypothesis test he realized that in some respects he had returned to that place he began from.

He was that little boy filled with wonder at the world, hungry to know its secrets except this time he knew with certainty that nothing is known with absolute certainly

As he ran his model and stared at the P Value it returned he looked at it and smiled.

It sat there, an absolute value.

He found a formula

He tested a hypothesis.

The answer in front of him was wrong and he knew it with absolute certainty

He knew he would never know and it was the most enlighten moment of his 12 years of formal education.

What he has learned is far more important then any formula

He learned how to learn.

He learned the nature of X

Our Story?

For most people it is wrtten by others.

Their feelings spelled out songs they relate too.

In mass produced greetings cards.

In parrot like quatation of others.

In the books that line the shelves.

We make heros out of DJ's who blend the anthems of our lifes in to party mixes.

But what is our story.

What is my story?

Where are my words?

My song.

Cheers to the creators of the words and those amoung us who know how to write our own scripts.

Overwhelmed

Being overwhelmed is an interesting feeling.

I think the root cause might be misaligned expectations where you expect things to be easy and manageable and when they are not you get this feeling like everything is crashing in on you.

Personally I enjoy being a little bit overwhelmed. It is a feeling that adds pressure to perform where you normally wouldn't. It means I have bitten off more than I can chew and I am stetching myself and my capacity to do more.

I am very excited for 2010 which is already off to a great start.

I am excited to be a little overwhelmed.

Weekend ReCap

Friday

Sweeny's in St. Paul for a little good time pre engagement party. Although I felt a little hustled in the end. If you ask your bartender if they have Redbull and they say they have redbull you should not get mad croc. If I ask for something by name and it is a premium you should get it or get told your other options. Just saying.

In bed @ 10:00 :)

Saturday

Worked most of the day.

Went down to Harry's

Then to the Depot Bar Where I got to say Hello to Norm Coleman who was there for a wedding it was pretty cool despite playing for the other team he was a super nice guy.

Then to a special couples engagement party and had a blast. Pictures will be up soon and Congratulations the food and company was awesome.


Sunday
Took the day off

Watched Couples Retreat - It was ok

Watched Zombieland and it was awesome probably has won a place in my top ten favorite movies. Loved it.

Cooked some Steaks for dinner and probably polished off about 5 bottle of wine.

Perfectly relaxing day exactly what the doctor ordered.

Rule of Thumb #54223

Never eat, shop or visit a store or venue that relies on a person dressing up and standing on a street corner holding a sign to get you in the door.

Neighborhood Gem - First Course

Nestled in a little mini strip mallish building a few blocks from my house is a hidden little neighborhood gem. First Course. If you are ever on the South side and feel a bit sceptical about walking through the darkened small looking store front suck it up and walk in. You won't be disappointed.

I am still having a craving for some deep fried blue cheese stuffed olives.

Last night was just what the doctor ordered. No work, No school, Sexy company, lots of wine and good food in a perfectly relaxed environment.

Great way to kick off a weekend of festivities.

As a reminder for all of the people coming into town this weekend - No Parking on the Even Side. Park in front of our house the cops have started to be dicks with the new snow emergency rules for the rest of the winter. I think Minneapolis is trying to over come its deficit by ticketing and towing its way to financial freedom.

Dream Manager

Just finished the Dream Manager and I am in hibernation mode planning my goals with a little different twist. This little quick read was kind of a good refresher on setting goals redefining on what direction I am going and why. I would check it out if you have the time.

Head & Shoulders

Does this name make anyone else shudder? I just envision someone with hairy enough shoulders that they actually need to take the take to shampoo and condition them.

When it gets to that point....just wax.

Now I know it is a tongue and cheek reference to being better then something else and state its goal of clearing dandruff off the shoulders but does that make it any better.

Yuck.

Talk About a Caged Elephant

"Oh, there ain't no rest for the wicked,
Money don't grow on trees.
I got bills to pay,
I got mouths to feed,
There ain't nothing in this world for free.
I know I can't slow down,
I can't hold back,
Though you know, I wish I could.
No there ain't no rest for the wicked,
Until we close our eyes for good".

- Caged Elephant