Life In The Weeds

Public Servant

It makes me sick to hear the prominent politicians refer to themselves as Public Servants or their role as Public Service.

Career politicians, particularly those in major power-broker positions, are in it for themselves, not you or me (the public). They crave position, prestige, power and all the expensive trappings that are showered on them by those who buy the politician's time, attention and influence.  

Hey, if you can't be an actual King or Queen, the next best thing is to live like one.

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.

Who knows you

Everyone has heard the old adage, "It's not what you know, it's who you know". Well, today, in the networked world, the old line needs to be amended: "It's not who you know, it's who knows you". 

And, being accepted as a friend on Facebook, or accepted for connection on LinkedIn or followed on Twitter seldom counts.

So, how should "friends" be measured? Two ways. Who would I go out of my way for? Who would go out of their way for me?

The way you build that group is by going out of your way for someone else (first). 

Networking isn't about how many, but who.

O.D.O.o.O.D.B. 

(TY: Seth Godin)

Void Where Prohibited

"Void Where Prohibited". Isn't that like saying, "Illegal Where Illegal"?

Did someone really go to law school so he could create these kind of rules, I'm sure meant to keep us from doing irreparable harm to ourselves.

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.

Shortcuts

Did you take any shortcuts in the last year(s) that actually paid off in some meaningful and longlasting way? Or, did the shortcuts backfire or fall short or just waste time and money?

O.D.O.o.O.D.B. 

The quality of excuses

I read once that no one ever compliments you on the quality of your excuses.

Excuses might buy a little time (maybe) but excuses never move you closer to the prize or lift the impression others have of you.

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.

Reply All

As the new self-appointed ruler of the electronic communication universe, I hereby outlaw the use of "Reply All", when there is more than two recipients. 

The use of Reply All has wasted more time than all the speeches made by politicians times 10. Don't you hate it? Don't you think a little less of people that use it ... especially when they send a note to 50 people to say, "Thanks" or "Okay". 

Really, shouldn't every software program include a popup window that says, "STOP - your about to look like an idiot to your co-workers & friends",  every time Reply All is clicked.

So, it's settled, no more Reply All.

On a serious note, I was told by an email efficiency expert that the best way to get less email (from co-workers and friends) is to send less emails yourself, and CC as few people as possible. He noted that if you send one email with a CC to 3 people, it is the equivalent of sending 4 separate emails because each person is likely to reply.  

O.D.O.o.O.D.B. 

Vampires...count me in!

I would guess that most people have the same image rush to mind when they here the term vampire...cue black cape, pointy teeth and a Vincent Price voice over! 

Well, move over Casanova, because Vampires are the hippest, coolest cats around these days.  Vampires are everywhere...on regular television, cable and in the movies!

I'll admit, I am a big fan of the vampire and am certainly on the vamp bandwagon...True Blood is one of my favorite shows!

Why have vampires made it to mainstream coolness?  Because they are BAD ASS!

Let me splain...vampires have superhuman strength and speed...they live forever, without aging...and, have a certain "glamor power" over the ladies!  What's not to like?  They have a certain swagger and attitude!

Preppy, Goth, Grunge, Vegan, whatever...they all come and go...I'm down with Vamps for now!

mj

Does your work have meaning

Ever read Chris Brogan, he is generally regarded as an uber social media expert (who speaks in layman's language).

Here's how he explains his craft - which I think is incredibly cool and shows that he has assigned real meaning to his work.

"I help people understand how these tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) let us be human at a distance, and/or humans extended".

Be human at a distance; Humans extended - now that has meaning.

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

My youngest daughter turned 7 this past week...it's mind numbing to think this to be true, but I digress!  In any case, we bought her a very scrumptious ice cream cake from Carvel.  Man, this cake was good!  Pretty basic...Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream, some chocolate crunchies and yummy icing on top.  It sparked a ice cream discussion at the table and got me thinking about who and where can you get the best ice cream...

Lot's and lots of choices...

Jan's Ice Cream - Pennington:    traditional hard ice cream in many flavors, locally owned, fantastically overpriced!

Viva Gelato - Pennington:    Gelato is not ice cream, so forget these guys!

Cream King - Pennington:    Soft Ice Cream, locally owned, kinda gross location (loud) and a bit run down, reasonably priced

Rita's - Pennington:    again, not ice cream, but a BIG fan favorite of a lot of people - I like it.

Cold Stone - W.Windsor:    I love this place...not so close, but love the combos...they mix it "fresh on the cold stone - wildy overpriced

Thomas Sweet Ice Cream - Princeton:    Never been!

Boro Bean - Hopewell:    this is a coffee place, now serving ice cream?  Whatever!

Carvel - Pennington:    I grew up eating Carvel - just introduced one of my girls to soft vanilla with chocolate sprinkles - she LOVED it....moderately overpriced...but dam good!

Baskin Robbins - Lawrenceville:    It's been awhile since I've been to one...world class chocolate is the best flavor ever!

Dairy Queen (DQ):    I went to one on vacation...went with a Blizzard...holy mackerel!!

There certainly can not be one clear winner...try 'em all and see for yourself!!  (I'm sure I missed a few!)

mj

Businesses I like to give my money to

Amazon, Nordstrom (men's shoes), Apple, WaWa Markets, Pennington Apothecary, NY/NJ Commuter Ferry, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Rita's Water Ice, Jim's Soft Pretzel Bakery, Southwest Airlines, Winnebago, Anthropologie, Costco, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company Magazine, Google, Seth Godin, Cool News of the Day, Aldi, Flying J Travel Plazas, Acadia National Park, Sneddon's Luncheonette, Acumen Fund, Baja Fresh, Geno's Steaks, Modest Needs, Blue Horizon Fight Club, Walmart, Voltaco's (best hoagie in Universe), Chuck's (buffalo wings), North Bowl, Bagel Train, EZ Pass.

What's your list look like?  I'll keep adding to my list.

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.