Look for the curve, and they throw a change-up...

So I had a discussion with my boys today that I have been dreading for quite some time. I knew my youngest would most likely take it well, but you never know for sure. And my oldest, well I didn't expect much good, but sometimes we just have to keep moving on with our lives. It really is what is in everyones best interest.

So anyway I had these talks with them. I did it seperately so that they could each have their own reactions and not have it colored by the other.

How did it go you ask? Well the youngest was better than I dreamed, he seems excited about the prospects of this change in our lives (at least for now) and really took the news quite well. (He has even said several times today how happy for me he is- unsolicited even.)

The older, well, he just didn't want to talk about it, which I respected. He has the news, and we can discuss it when he is ready. I told him that I'm sure it brings a million questions to his mind, or will at some point, and I will chat about them anytime he wants to. I told him I won't always have answers to all his questions, but that no matter what I love him and his brother and we can and will get thru anything.

All in all, the day went way better than expected. Actually, I'm in shock. I half expected him to walk out the door and that I'd never see him again. (He may go home tomorrow and find that his mom sees that as an option, and push him too it - but we all hope not.) Instead, we actually had several interactions today, he didn't spend all day hiding out in his room. Our relationship is healing.

I know the other shoe will drop at some point, but for the moment, I'm at peace. Tonight will be the best sleep I'll have had with them in the house in quite a while.

Gin Hahn!
T

Get Smarter

Try iTunes U.
In what just might be one of the best deals going, you can visit the site and download real life lectures and sometimes even course materials. And get this-- much of it is free.

Today, I listened to award wining author Thomas Friedman give a lecture to MIT students about what he calls "Globalization v3.0" It was pretty interesting to hear someone connect the dots in tangible ways about how technology, insourcing, and outsourcing are bringing us all closer together.

Gin Hahn Indeed!
T

Don't drink when you're working

Gin Hahn,
T

A perspective change

There is very little fancy or unique about how I make my living. What makes me stand out in my field is that I am always looking at things with a different, maybe skewed, view.

You know, why do we do what we do, why do we do it the way we do it? If no one knows, someone better find out. And most of all, I've been thinking, what if we did it like...

Anyway, to help me think different, I'm always looking for others who are looking at things differently, and trying to find see what I can steal from them.

This is one of those "guys with a different view on the world" (From the TED talks - if you missed my post about them in the past, you should definately check out this site, there are some amazing thinkers there.)

Hope it helps you out of the box you are in.

Gin Hahn,
T

Five thoughts for this week...

These are the things that seem to be my most frequent comments for the past week or so.

1. This is a few weeks old, and I bet you've seen it by now, but it still cracks me up to even think about it. And I get it stuck in my head, how do you like them apples?

2. Yes, I have definately outkicked the coverage. I am way out of my league. I have done well. I am the luckiest guy in the room.

3. Maybe Spring 2010, but we aren't even ready to think about that yet.

4. See #2.

5. Vacation was awesome. If you are traveling to the Oregon Coast I suggest you look into the place we stayed. Email me, I can send you the link.

Gin Hahn,
T

What If? (A post in progress)

I just finished reading an incredibly shitty novel. It was one of those ones with great potential, but it felt like the author got bored with the premise about half way thru. I suppose we all have days like that at the office. Anyway, I bought the book a while back at the airport and had been reading it while I traveled. It was just to pass the time, so I suppose I got my monies worth.

So here's how I operate. During normal life, I barely have time to read anything longer than the playboy letters column, so when I travel I tend to pick up one of those best seller page turners. I call them airplane books. And they usually get me through a trip. Anyway, the last several "airplane" books I have read have in some way or another been in the theme of the DaVinci code. You know, Christianity is a scheme, the Templars know the truth and its one of the worlds great conspiracies. I'm an easy target. I don't believe that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I've never been able to take the bible literally. I don't believe Barry Bonds. I tend to think that the new owners of the Seattle Supersonics only ever wanted to move the team to Oklahoma City. 

But I digress. Since finally finishing this latest crap of Templar shit - I'd say the name here, but I don't want to encourage the endorsement. I know that if I mention a book here, people will read it- That's just the kind of power this little blog wields-- I'd rather that you read something worthwhile like the latest Tucker Max book.

Anyway this one, and a few of the others I read the past year or so while traveling have got me thinking. 

What if...

What if one day, we woke up and there was irrefutable evidence that the basic fundamental principles of christianity were in fact a great hoax? What if there was a gospel according to Jesus Christ, written in his own hand? What if in it, he proclaimed to be a normal man, a prophet? What if he talked about his family, his wife, his children?

How would the world change? How many people would suddenly feel like they had nothing to live for? Would we have tons of whack-o's coming out of the woodwork? Would anyone believe it? Would it matter?

There's more questions, but I'm tired of thinking at the moment - maybe I'll come back to this someday.

Gin Hahn,

T

Where have you been?

Sorry- I've been busy. Then I was sick, and then I was really busy.

So much has gone on in such short period of time. I wrote a few posts, but had technical difficulties - so they didn't make it on the site.

Here are a few passing thoughts I had the past few weeks.

How precious is it that OJ went back to jail for contacting a co-defendant? He knew he wasn't supposed to, that's why when he left a message for him via his bail bondsman ( At You Ring We Spring Bail bonds no less.) using an alias. Nice! Nobody recognizes his voice, and he certainly SOUNDS like a guy named Jose.

Heath Ledger, whatever happened, its sad. 

Its also awesome that Jack Nicholson warned him about playing the Joker, but the press ran with it as warned him about drugs.

Or how about the fact that Britney Spears is worth $120 million to the economy?

Some days it is all just a bit too much to take.

Speaking of no talent attention whores, check out Paris Hilton singing. It's just further proof that her best work is only visible in night vision.

Golly, I should vent more often.

I miss it. Remember, this is about me and not you.

In other news. MyICE and I are taking vacation together next week. We're heading down the coast. House on the beach. Its supposed to snow. No worries - we'll have a fireplace, tv and a hot tub - only thing missing is a case of wine and you. (Guess  one I'm joking about.)

Anyway, there is a chance I'll post if the mood strikes me - the house has wireless. There's also a pretty good chance I won't. We'll just have to see what happens.

Gin Hahn,

T

Seriously...

I'm sorry- there is just no way to comment.

Its too crazy. You know exactly who and what I'm talking about.

That's the thing I don't think anyone understands. Just how fucked up does a woman have to be to lose her children?

Some systems aren't fair, they appear to be broken. Deal with it. Move on. 

Live life the best you can.

Do what is right for you and your loved ones.

Gin Hahn,

T

Another Great Thing About the Mac

Here is a hidden little gem.

If you have a mac- and run are running the latest version of the operating system, did you know that it can summarize yourself for...yourself (Austin Powers). I've been using this feature lately when writing really long emails to big groups. It lets you tell the quick story for those with ADD and then the ones who care more can read the extended dance remix. Kinda cool.

Gin Hahn,

T

Picking the right candidate

There are several sources online to help you pick the presidential candidate that most closely resembles your beliefs and values for the current election.

The tip here is, you better choose now, just to see who might fit, because in a few weeks - after the primary season gets going-- chances are the candidate that closely aligns to your beliefs will be out of the running.

And I bet you are surprised by who you pick. I know I was....

Try these links.

Select Smart

USA Today Candidate Match Game

In a surprise (to me) upset- it looks like Chris Dodd should be my man, but he didn't win the nomination back when he was Lloyd Benson, so I imagine he's not going to win now either. Coming in second or first depending on how I change my  mind is Mike Gravel, but really, I don't see him as a viable candidate either. So when it gets down to it - the polls say I'm either a Obama or Edwards guy, and I think I'm okay with that. And while I love Bill, I won't vote Hillary. And it has nothing to do with the fact that she's a woman. I would vote for one if there was a good option out there. I won't vote for her because it feels like everytime she talks, she's yelling. And now that I'm all growns up, I know that I don't need some lady yelling at me all the time. Reason #5 on why T is divorced.

Anyway- Try the links and enjoy.

Gin Hahn,

T