Weekend Haiku

Weathered bones
on my mind,
a wind-pierced body.

Basho (1644 - 1694)

Pensamiento

Here is Pensamiento from Stephen Stills and Manassas. It's a treat to hear the man sing in Spanish and listen to that percussion. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Earl Scruggs

Earl Scruggs, pioneer of the three-finger banjo-picking style (now called Scruggs style) is dead. One of the all time greats of bluegrass music has left us. He was 88. RIP.

The Big Miss

Now that Tiger has finally won again, the WSJ has a short review of Hank Haney's book The Big Miss.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. When you go on a business trip with this next manager it might be a good idea to rent a separate car.

MOTW: Accident Prone Manager

This manager is a nice person and not a half bad manager when he/she is around. Unfortunately this is not often the case as Accident Manager tends to have constant run-ins with whatever latent danger lurks in the immediate vicinity. This manager spends a lot of time healing from whichever recent mishap has befallen him/her, from a four car pile-up on the interstate to the mishandled feeding of a baby goat at the petting zoo.

Weekend Haiku

The short night-
the peony
has opened.

Buson (1716 - 1783)

Big Love

Fleetwood Mac's Big Love. Enjoy and happy Friday.

TSA Nude Body Scanners

I travel a lot and am constantly going through these scanners. I often worry about the amount of radiation and rationalize my concern by thinking that it is the price I pay for feeling safe aboard the aircraft. This does not make me feel very confident.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means.Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. Ah, the sweet smell of optimism. Optimism is good when it is genuine and well-founded. However, this next manager tends to overdo it and the result is generally less than effective.

MOTW: Pollyanna Manager

Continually gives rah-rah speeches trying to convince the staff everything is all right while the walls fall down around them. Pollyanna Manager will tell you that three years in a row without a raise is a good thing because as a result of this policy you aren’t paying any more in taxes.

Weekend Haiku

Having slept, the cat gets up,
yawns, goes out
to make love.

Issa (1763 - 1827)

Waiting for the Wheel to Turn

Here is Waiting for the Wheel to Turn from Capercaillie, along with an accompanying slideshow. Enjoy and happy Friday.

Inside the 787 Dreamliner

An interior tour of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.

Citigroup fails stress test

Of the 19 banks that were subjected to the stress test to judge whether they were capitalized enough to withstand another financial downturn in the economy, Citigroup was one of the 4 that did not pass muster. As a consequence the Federal Reserve will not allow Citi at this time to increase the dividend it pays to shareholders. Another blow for Uncle Vik.

Anthony Majhess wins re-election

And now for a little local politics. Here in Boca Raton, FL a contentious race was fought to unseat City Councilman Anthony Majhess. The race was ugly, with the mayor and three other members of the City Council all involved, publicly trying to defeat Mr. Majhess.

The challenger, Frank Chapman, spent a lot of his own money and both ran a fairly negative campaign. While Chapman's campaign had more money and signs as well as the support of the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce, nothing can replace the relationship a city councilman has with the grass roots people who elect him.

Anthony Majhess won re-election yesterday and will continue to serve on the City Council. He says he holds "no grudges" towards any of the council members.

Bear Grylls fired

Discovery has sacked Bear Grylls, the star of Man vs. Wild. For once I guess this truly leaves him out in the cold.

Spanish wines

Anyone who is into wine and hasn't tasted some of the "new wave" Spanish wines is doing themselves a disservice. Spain is somewhat inconsistent with the wines it produces, but when the country's vintners get something right, boy do they get it right. In this article Will Lyons of the WSJ takes you on a short tour of the contemporary Spanish wine scene. I still enjoy the simplest of pleasures, Sangre de Toro, as a red table wine with many of my meals and you just can't beat the price.

Quote for today

"Hope is an expensive commodity."

Thucydides

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. Heading out to Home Depot, Lowe's or your local DIY store for some sort of fix it up project? Be sure to take this next manager with you.

MOTW: Do-It-Yourself Manager

Never delegates anything and has to be involved in every single task, project and meeting. These managers tend to either slowly burn out or spontaneously combust depending on their level of tolerance.

Weekend Haiku

They end their flight
one by one-
crows at dusk.

Buson (1716 - 1783)

Seven More Days

From Introducing the Hardline and back when he was Terence Trent D-Arby, here is a recording of Seven More Days. Man, do I love this song. Enjoy and happy Friday.

What is "Linning"

We have all heard about "Linsanity" now right? Well, here is a new term, "linning." A combination of losing and winning, I kept most of winning and substituted only the first letter l for w, because I believe Romney made his case. He won 6 out of 10 states in a 3 way race. In old math that is 60% and a clear cut victory, but he is still labeled a loser. This whole race must be driving him nuts.

To swirl or not to swirl?

Of course you should swirl...or should you? Lettie Teague of the WSJ gives us an explanation of the art and science behind swirling a glass of wine.

It's Monday

And we all know what that means. Time for another MOTW, Manager of the Week. It is hard to be around this next manager and not cringe. If this person was your roommate you would probably want them out. Thankfully he/she is not your roommate, but instead he/she is the neighbor in the office next to yours and it still drives you a little bit nuts.

MOTW: Slob Manager

This manager may be competent but that does not matter. He/she is never taken seriously by Senior Management or staff because of his/her poor dress and hygiene. Slob Manager’s disheveled appearance, unkempt office, sloppy eating habits and rampant body odor all conspire against him/her in the respect department. The writing is on the wall for Slob Manager and all it usually takes is one triggering event, i.e. an off-color remark or getting drunk at a company function, for him/her to be terminated with extreme prejudice.

Weekend Haiku

A bat flits
in moonlight
above the plum blossoms.

Buson (1716 - 1783)

Sleeping Sun

Nightwish performs Sleeping Sun live. This is pure eargasm. Enjoy and happy Friday.