11:41 PM 1/29/2009
I am reading such a good book, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I have read all of his books and I believe this is his best. He dimenstrates what it takes to be successful. e basically shows that it is how you are raised and that it takes about 10,000 hours to become world-class at a skill.

This is the second extremely interesting book I have read in the past month (not all books that I read as this interesting, some are good and some do me good by reading them). The first was The Big Switch where the author talked about cloud computing. The death of the business servers or home computer wasn’t the interesting part the history he used to make his points was the best parts.

Back to Outliers, one example he used is the difference between poor and wealth parents and the different styles of parenting. I can understand what he is talking about, I have experienced both sides. First as a poor child (my wife’s experiences too), then while I try to raise my children to be even more successful than I have been. I can also see his examples of the difference between people from Appalachia and Northerners. I have lived that too, and it’s so true that people from that area are hung up on personal honor to a fault.

Back to the 10,000 hours do I still have time to be an expert in anything? Yes, I can be an expert at my job. I can be the best at what I do for 50 hours a week for the 200 weks it will take. It will only take me a little while longer, maybe longer since my production line is getting all new equipment (same principles different machines). I’ll have to kinda start over.

Finished the book. Excellent book! This is a must read for a parent who wants his child to succeed in our competive world. And for anyone to understand what it takes to be an expert.

Malcolm’s book is the best of the three!

Today was the first time my son was able to drive on his own. Well he got up to go to the OSU party we are going to later this AM, but he did not tell his mother he was going and left much earlier than planned. And I believe he may have taken friends which we had told him he wasn’t ready for yet. What to do?

Well, if he has taken friends that will influence his driving privileges, leaving without the cell and not saying bye is just rude and he’ll have to make good with his Mother. HE will have to do something that he loathes; apologize, to admit he was wrong.

Are all teenagers this way? Am I so old that I cannot remember being that way?

UPDATE:

No friends along for the ride. He was just so excited to go out for the first time he left to early and “had” stop at Krogers and a LS Department store. Mom did take a bite out of him on  the way home. Still he has problems with the “I messed up, I’m sorry” thing. Gotta work on that.

Well the Buckeyes crushed the un-named team from up north…

Well, we’ll see how this works out…

Now this was a good read. I really enjoyed the fast paced ride from gangbanger to being awarded the Navy Cross. What a success story! Language was rough but there was a warning in front of the book.

I have never really understood the hazing and rough treatment in boot camp and being a boot but now I have a better idea of the importance. Several times I was almost brought to tears just reading the book. Especially the time where he describes older Vets correcting his flag raising skills and his treatment when he comes back to America and the reception the Marines receive.

Marco Martinez will go far in life. He is a hero in the truest sense of the word.

Wow talk about cold, not even telling Edwards he wasn’t going to back him for the Presidential run…

It was the 8th of January and it was 69 degrees today. I spent as much time outside as I could, cleaning the yard and shed. I have a pile of diseased wood to burn tomorrow. The weather was changing so quick, when I started around noon it was windy and clear, by 3PM it was overcast and looked like thunderstorms were moving in soon.

I get a kick out the people who talk about global warming when there is a day like this. Like that proves the case. I remember that Al Gore preached that an ice age was coming. Scientist are predicting the weather 50 to 100 years in the future when 5 days is a stretch for a good weather forecast. I know this will ruffle some feathers.

But if I remember my history correctly the Vikings settled Greenland and were able to raise dairy cows and farm. I don’t believe that can be done today. The weather works in cycles and unpredictable ones at that…

The Dip is a really short but great book by Seth Godin. It’s about quitting and when to do it. It has convinced me that I need a new job, one that allows me to be creative and one that makes me want to go to work.

The previous post quote was the nail in the coffin for learning that i should be working for myself…

“The end result is that’s it’s essentially impossible to become successful or well-off doing a job that is described and measured by someone else.”

Seth Godin

small is the new big

My experience so far with being an employee (a manager none the less) is all to true.

Robert Fulghum’s new book is wonderful so far… I really enjoy his works. Reading this book opens my mind to what’s around me, like a fresh breeze. After a while with out some reflection and solitude I seem to get a black and white view of the world.

As the title of the post suggests that is his thesis- “What On Earth Have I Done?” An interesting question because he poses the question as a Mother asking a child “WOEHYD”. Then he puts the question as to an adult’s life. Same question-different meaning altogether.

The chapters are short vignettes, which after read seem to stick in my mind wait for a chance to be applied. An example would be the story of his quest to rid his house boat of Otters. Success really didn’t have the intended result; less stink but a loss of playfulness and curiosity in his world. Another, how his house was valued less than he thought it was worth, and the reasons why were the reasons he discovered that added value to his life.

Fulghum tells a story about a couple of college students who eat a dining room chair… yea, really!… now you’ll have to read the book.

My Wife is my best friend… And, guess what? I think that’s the best thing ever. I do love her more than a normal friend and certainly in a different way. But when you boil it down I view her a the best, closest friend I’ve ever had, bar none. Maybe it’s best said that she is even more than a best friend. A Super-best friend. Someone I share everything with (with the exception of the crap I put up with at work).

What puzzles me is how could someone not be best friends with their mate. A few people I work with look at me like I’m insane when I tell them my wife is my best friend. That makes me wonder about the quality or worth of their marriage or living arrangements. I do work with a wide variety of cultures, Muslim, Hispanic, Blacks, Red Necks, and others. Not all clearly express that they don’t view their mates as best friends, but many don’t act like it. Talking about things they say or do without their mates knowledge tells it all.

So is “best friend” the better term? Don’t know… but I do know it’s working out well for us that way.

I have been married for 26 years… I know I love my wife more today than when we were married. She is not a perfect wife (for sure I’m not the perfect husband), but I love her more than ever. It’s more passionate and at the same time a the “best friend in the world” type of love, how can I explain that?

Several times in our marriage I believed we were doomed. But I never considered leaving or divorce because I knew it was me and at least 1/2 of it was my baggage. All I would have done is take the baggage to another relationship.

What brings me to this post is that we have some friends who are having problems with their marriage and some of it reminds me of our problems. The rushing around of little kids, jobs taking to much time, being second (maybe even last) in getting attention (sex, what sex?), the stress of money and everything else  and that’s not mentioning families that seem to complicate everything with their problems and hangups.

My advice… communication, but first listen… really listen. If you think everything is OK and your partner blows you out of the water with news you never suspected. You’re not listening…or paying attention, verbal or physically.

My problem was/is I like to solve problems. When my wife would share her problems, I wanted to offer solutions. WRONG ANSWER, (maybe I’m slow… but it took me 15-18 years to get this) listen and then listen to her but don’t offer solutions. Believe it or not that’s not what she wants. She want attention and someone to listen to her.

Talking… well I’m getting better at sharing my feelings, needs and fears.

Do I have all the answers… not even close. But my wife and I can weather the storms of life with our love, respect and trust in Jesus Christ.