Weekend Haiku

Misty grasses,
quiet waters,
it's evening.

Buson (1716-1783)

Crybaby

The video of Utopia's Crybaby. It's a pretty cheesy video, but the song rocks. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Incredible Ultimate score

It's not Disc Golf, but its cousin Ultimate Frisbee. Watch this incredible catch, resulting in a score. It is unbelievable!

A new sport

Not really...but it is a variation on two sports already out there. Here is a video about a man, Paul Melnyk, who practices the sport of "Skishing." If you want to read more about it, here is the article which accompanied the video.

Arguing with your significant other...

May actually be good for the relationship. According to this article in the WSJ, it's all about how you fight. If you argue a certain way, the article says this will not hurt your relationship long term and may even strengthen it. Would that it were true.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. This next manager appears at all levels within the corporate hierarchy. The higher up in the food chain they are the more they tend to behave in this fashion.

MOTW: Needy Manager

This manager needs a minimum retinue of two underlings in constant attendance for reassurance purposes. Without these supporting sycophants Needy Manager questions his/her importance and becomes cranky and vindictive. Activities within the scope of this 24/7 accompaniment include but are not limited to, going to breakfast, lunch and dinner, attending meetings, sitting side by side in the airplane on business trips, sightseeing and shopping in foreign cities and even attending religious services together, regardless of the staff member’s faith.

Weekend Haiku

A bee
staggers out
of the peony.

Basho (1644-1694)

Meanwhile Rick James

A recording of Cake's Meanwhile Rick James. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Rules to drink by

Perhaps the article should be titled rules to pair wines by instead, because that is really what it is about. Will Lyons talks about the "rules" of pairing wines and also delves into temperature. One observation I have is that in general we tend to serve our reds too warm and our whites too cold in this country.

Cat People ("Putting out Fire")

Here is the extended mix of the Giorgio Moroder/David Bowie collaboration. From the remake of the movie Cat People ("Putting out Fire"), this tune has had a resurgence because of Quentin Tarantino's use of it in his movie Inglorious Basterds. And what a perfect use it was. If you haven't seen it rent the movie.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. Because of his her circumstances this next manager never quite becomes part of the team in employees' eyes. Thus he/she never garners the complete respect of the team. This leads to many complications in the work environment causing the manager to retreat even more to his/her domain.

MOTW: Commuter Manager

This manager refuses to relocate to the area for personal reasons. Because of this Commuter Manager has worked out a deal whereby he/she flies in every week from some far off place to work and returns home each weekend at company expense. In essence he/she is only in the office three days a week as most of Monday is spent arriving and Friday departing, but he/she expects the staff to put in long hours five days a week and on the weekend if necessary. It does not take long for staff members to revile Commuter Manager for the poor leadership example as well as the expenses he/she piles up due to travel and lodging, which as all staff members realize, takes away already scarce budget dollars from their merit increase and bonus pool.

Weekend Haiku

Summer night-
even the stars
are whispering to each other.

Issa (1763-1827)

This Too Shall Pass

OK Go's This Too Shall Pass. Check out the Rube Goldberg machine sequence. It is outstanding. Enjoy and happy Friday.

One of Spain's better exports...

Besides the obvious victorious side at the World Cup, is paella. I just love it. Here the author pairs it up with an excellent Bordeaux and just the thought of it is enough to make my mouth water.

The Deadliest Catch

One writer's attempt to explain the appeal of the show and why over four million loyal viewers are transfixed by the program.

Now that is stress free parking

Check out this amazing parking system in downtown Budapest. The WOHR Multiparker 730 makes parking a snap.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. This next manager is not a shark, but swims with them and not in a good way.

MOTW: Parasite Manager

Like a remora, this manager clings to any bigger, shark-like manager and survives by cleaning up said manager’s messes and nourishing himself/herself off of that manager’s scraps. Parasite Manager’s career follows the path of his/her host regardless of whether the end state is good or bad.

Weekend Haiku

Clear water-
a tiny crab
crawling up my leg.

Basho (1644-1694)

Spain vs. Germany preview

ESPN's Jeff Carlisle previews what he thinks will happen in today's other semi-final of the World Cup. I wish this tournament either lasted longer or happened more often than once every four years. There is something so pure and wonderful about the best players in the world suiting up for their country and giving it their all. It is a pleasure to watch. Regardless of what happens today it will be an all Europe final.

Two guys still in the Cup

A look at two gentlemen still playing in the World Cup. They are not the likes of Rooney, Messi, Kaka or Cristiano Ronaldo, but then again, none of those guys are still playing. One of those featured here will not play in the cup again after today.