Rocking Out Behind The Keyboard

I've mentioned my history with music before this on the show as well as in print but sometimes your past comes back to bite you in the butt.  Ok, maybe...flick you on the ear.  These were good times.  I was a member of, Fak-Shen, a local band with a few songs on rotation locally and we had a nice following.  Someone out there probably even has a rare cassette from us.  Brian, Mike and myself had known each other as friends for years prior and were pre-AOL technophiles that would get together weekly.

Performing and setup can be a great test for an electronically structured group.  We had our mishaps like most bands.  Then there was a multimedia showcase called Mr. Bondi's Soundhouse held at Fremont Street Reggae & Blues that we were part of on Feb. 21, 1995.  The idea was that we'd play about 3 songs or so and they would film it.  So, what you see is a part of one of our songs with some playful editing by visual artist Anthony Bondi.  Definitely dark video for a not-so-upbeat song but understandably a reason for them to play with video effects.

I remember us getting a single copy of it later but have no idea who ended up with it or where it wound up.  So it was a welcome treat to see Mike send this to me this morning.  We can trick ourselves as we get older.  When you list your accomplishments, you may omit some things or embellish others.  Yet, sometimes it's just nice to have proof of your past.

Thank you, Gene

A few weeks ago, Kerry's uncle Gene passed away.  Services were held during the weekend.  Despite having other health concerns, it wasn't supposed to be a serious surgery that he went in for but, on his way to recovery, he departed.  I can't say I ever heard a mean-spirited word leave his mouth and he was very generous with his time.  We really are here to help each other on this temporary home and what kindness we show is our legacy.  Thank you Gene, for everything.

Donna Thoughts

My favorite people are the kind ones.  I used to always refer to my own grandmother Lillian as what led me to my wife.  Yesterday, Kerry's own grandmother Donna passed away.  She was always there with a smile on her face when you greeted her and was always looking for ways to do for others.  I'm happy that David got to spend a lot of time with her recently and know how important she was to him. I am a better person for having known her but it feels like there is one light out on a Las Vegas marquee that will never be replaced.  We love you.

Visiting Our Texas Family

I don't know if it has to do with security.  Strike that!  Of course it has to do with security.  It's like when people set a trap for a criminal and announce that they are leaving for the day, week or some undecided amount of time so someone can go violate your property.  So we don't tell people much about our vacations until after the fact.  Maybe I've just heard too many stories about houses being ransacked or parties being held after posting something on Facebook or someone saying there is a party at your address.  Thankfully, we had a house-sitter/dog-sitter while we were gone.  So now I can tell you a little about our getaway to the lonestar state.

I love seeing family.  I also like visiting a state that I haven't been to before.  So, to get both of those in on a trip, I'm already excited.  Sure, it was a little rainy flying into Austin but the weather was beautiful for the rest of the week.  First stop with Aunt Karen and Uncle Sonny was something called Whataburger.  I'd heard of it before and it had been on my mind.  You see, Las Vegas has been slowly getting these big burger chains coming to town after years of neglect.  White Castle, Smash Burger, Steak And Shake, Shake Shack, Bobby's Burger Palace... even Chick-fil-a are joining our desert cityscape.  So, it was very good.  I may have ate more than I should but I knew I wasn't going to get the chance to do it again for a very long time.

Next stop was a small town called Belton.  I would just call it a beautiful country estate.  Lots of trees, flowers, squirrels, cardinals, hawks, doves all enjoying nature.  The cardinals wouldn't stay still to get photographed.  Karen said it best, "The only difference between weeds and flowers is if you like them or not."  It's very true.  Lots of purple flowering "weeds" strewn amongst Indian paint brush/fire wheel flowers.  We brought some seeds back to try and plant the latter here at home.  Fingers crossed.


Added a few books to our collection, drank a little wine while couple painting and learned a game called Mexican Train.  Sure, the name sounds a bit racist but at some point everyone uses the train and gives it something.  I know there is a painfully drawn out analogy in there somewhere but I'm not going there.  What I do know is that I have to add it to my list of games that I'll sit back and watch or play once in a blue moon.  I came to the conclusion that adding up numbers isn't something I do for fun which leaves me out of a few card games as well.  Understanding what relaxes you and what doesn't is a good way to enjoy your vacation.

I couldn't leave out the graciousness of a man named George.  When he heard that we were coming into town, he told our family, "Bring them over to the party barn and we'll show them some Texas hospitality!"  That man held true to his word.  We were ushered into an amazing structure housing a huge bar, restaurant kitchen equipment and a lot of seating.  If there was a dart board set up, I would not have left of my own free will.  Great food, great friends and good times.  Somewhere in back was a huge garden as well as a chicken coop (with a huge rooster protecting his girls.)  It seems a lot of people have chickens out there.  (Here's a picture of Sonny and Karen's collection that gave us fresh eggs every morning.)  The man has a great eye for classic cars as well.

Never let time get the best of you.  I know, we all push things off.  You have a life ahead of you but, like me, I bet you've said, "I'll go visit (insert name) sometime."  Like good friends, family accepts that you have a life to live in your own wacky way and there is a feeling of reconnection that re-establishes itself seemlessly no matter how you spend the time you are together.  So, go find that time.  Life doesn't seem so short to the living but take advantage of it while you can and get together sooner than later.  We are better for it.  Karen, Sonny, Kendall, Adam, Luka and Sheila (all pictured except Adam) you gave us a great present with your time and I can't express how happy we were to spend our vacation with you.  We miss you already.

Team Identity

I always found it interesting when a new coach comes to a team and says, "We are working hard to build our team identity."  I was late coming to my passion for football and phrases like this always had me scratching my head.  Did they not have an identity, know who they were or decide to change their identity?  I can see how teams known for great defenses, especially given names like Purple People Eaters or Orange Crush, can see this as important.  But I also see a lot of similarities here with our political landscape.

As I said, I was late to football.  I became a little bit of a fan at the end of my high school years because I would see my stepfather screaming at the television during games and wanted to understand.  I would later find out that my father was a football fan but never really talked about it (usually putting a bet in on a game here and there.)  Of course, I would find this out after I had become a fan of his rival team.  Usually, those things are passed down though and changing would feel traitorous.  During these early days, a loss hit hard.  I remember being frustrated enough that I'd just want to curl up and sleep the feeling off.  Sure, it didn't help that it was a team that would have over a decade and a half of bad years to come but you stay with your team.  You actually identify yourself as a (insert team) fan and tell friends, "We lost a close one last week.  If only we could have got the ball to (insert playmaker.)"

So, why do I see a tie to politics here.  Well, there are isn't...well, not just one.  Let's start with identity and what team you are on.  Politics has become a team sport and, if you become active in it, you will have to pick a team (or two.)  A lot of those "teams" take a stance or allow another "team" to take a stance which places them on the other side of that issue.  So, your "team" may be for something but against others... kind of like a football team has a great running back but no quarterback to get the receivers the ball.  The defense may have holes here and there too.  Changing "teams" can easily brand you a traitor.  I was on one such "team" until a few years into college.  As a matter of fact, it could be said that I had another football team as a child because of a Vikings jacket that I was given for Christmas one year (and I have no idea who gave it to me) but never watched a game until years later.  Identity is important.  Isn't it funny how both major parties identify themselves with animal mascots like the elephant and the donkey.

I have never personally voted for anyone that won a presidential election.  It could be that I'm on a losing "team" or that I'm not a "team" player.  I believe the last few elections have also been about identity.  In 2008, I was asked in by a union leader what I thought of their choice to back Clinton or Obama.  I said that, at that time, there was a lot of baggage with the former.  That year was a record voter turn out and many said that they identified with the man because of his race and what having a black president would mean about our nation.  Opposing team differences with his policies were viewed as a problem with his being black.  A friend of mine told me that if a woman ever ran for president, she would vote for her.  A lot of women this year identified with Clinton.  It didn't help that her opponent put his foot in his mouth when talking about women or when old footage of him sharpened that view.  Ads pushed that image and were awarded with a few different reactions: fear, indifference, anger or a sense of over-reach.

Did identity politics affect the vote?  It speaks more to the post-election climate than votes.  The counties that flipped in key states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania that previously would have gone to her were struggling economically and are believed to see a continuation of current policies and new regulations on coal as unbearable.  My friend didn't vote for her despite her earlier resolve.  She believed that she wasn't the right person to represent the gender in the office for the first time due to ongoing legal issues.  Sometimes a coach isn't right for a team.  Sometimes changing coaches every year or two isn't the answer either.  You make a decision there based on the personnel you have or you keep your coach and change your personnel (which can take time.)  It is easier viewing this from the outside because, I said, my team has been bad enough not to make it to the big game for a very long time and my "team" isn't a major party.

Maybe these major "teams" need to build or change their identity.  (I wonder what the Green, Independent, Constitutional or Libertarian animal mascots would be.)  But, I guess, there will be plays in the future for the first Islamic president, first Hispanic president, first gender neutral president or first bisexual president as real issues get ignored.  There is despair out there.  Fear inspired by the ads during the election and mixed with a few organizers have brought some unrest on the streets.  Pain and division of those "teams" don't look to heal soon.  I can only hope that we can put something decent on the field.

Silver And Black Possibilities

I was going to go on a long diatribe about the history of the Raiders moving and the desire to have a stadium without a dirt in-field and unpainted concrete walls.  It just doesn't seem right.  What is weird is having a carrot dangled in front of you.  Just the idea of my team moving to my town is a bit crazy.  Think about it yourself for a moment.  Let's just say that your favorite team (which has a long history but problems with a current and foreseeable business dilemma) mentions where you live as a possible landing spot.  I admit to a lot of denial early on.  With the roller coaster the team has been on with moving, it would have been worse if I got excited about it.  But, I guess things are looking good.  We are hours away from the vote by the NFL owners on the relocation.

Having a good season made for an exciting year as a fan but also to see the excitement of my wife and son is priceless.  I even saw the Mrs. tear up when Derek Carr broke his leg.  Yet, it's even more interesting to see local football fans come to the realization that they could have games come to their town.  They could have something that brings the city together.  I have even heard several talk about a 'Las Vegas first' emotion taking over where they will always pull for a home team win despite being a Cowboys, Steelers or Packers fan.  Pretty crazy.  I guess, it will be an interesting day.  No matter how it goes, it is amazing that it has even become possibility.

Why, How And The Road Less Travelled

Heard of an interesting way to look things earlier today that is still rattling around in my brain.  Those that work for someone know "how."  Those they work for know "why."

Why something so simple runs around in my head, I don't know.  It could be my son's search for a job.  Sometime soon, he will be one of those that knows "how."  Think of all the job's you've had and what you learned there to carry out what was expected of you.  That's a lot of know how.  I still make pizza the same way I did at my first job and look at photos and lighting the same way I did when I worked in a photo lab.

And then there is the "why."  To get a job, you don't care about the "why" right away... you just want to get paid.  After you know the "how" sometimes you stray over and start asking the "why" but that starts encroaching in on the boss' territory.  Some focus so much on it that they start ignoring the "how."

Oddly enough, if you have a better answer to the "why" than the person you work for, you will move on and improve upon that model.  When a young Sam Walton had a better "why" than his boss James Cash Penney (yes, J.C. Penney), he built a better beast.  John Lasseter's better understanding of "why" than his Disney executive bosses took him on an amazing journey.  Lasseter was terminated from his job, he brought that "why" to Lucasfilm creating Pixar... and it would be acquired by Disney 22 years after his termination.

What does it all mean?  I see people often questioning the "why" of things while working on the "how" side of the business.  There are times that I do as well.  But, I also know that a "why" is often not worth voicing unless solicited.  Well, unless I have the next Walmart or Pixar on my hands.  Who knows?  Maybe my son will.

Month To Remember

Note to self: Today was a crazy day and caps off an unbelievable month.  So, let's say it here that October 2016 needs to be recognized here on out.  Martin, when you think something is impossible, that the burdens you carry are too heavy or that you aren't worthy of what you have because of your past...remember this month.

Some clarification for readers: I had two great conversations this month that have given me a missing puzzle piece.  Perspective is like that.  When you are missing it, you feel incomplete.  You are drawn to that spot.  You may even resume searching for the piece at strange moments.  So, I am sincerely thankful and humbled.  No more searching.

The Sky Was All Purple...

It is a classic line and yesterday it ran through a lot of brains.  How does one moment define you?  Although the song "1999" wasn't Prince's first hit, it was the first single associating him with the color purple.  Then "Purple Rain" came and reinforced it... along with a movie and some colorful pseudo-Victorian attire.  That moment in time associated the man with the color.  Very strange.

I was contacted yesterday and reminded that I would have been neck-deep in research and song selection for an episode of the show focused on 'the artist' if I was still doing the show.  I would have also been doing so for David Bowie a little bit ago.  I actually miss it and love the research as much as the presentation.

I guess, the hard part about defining ourselves by something, even for a short time, is that we can let ourselves become a template.  Kind of like cookie dough filling in the area of a cookie cutter, we will never be more than that shape until we ditch or change the cutter.  Ending the show was a moment to reclaim the rest of the dough.  Some artists do that to avoid being stereotyped (search MC Hammer Funky Headhunter for kicks) and, heck, a lot of people would like to confine an artist to being defined by one hit single.

Today is a day to remember that you are more than your public perception, definition, color or greatest achievement.  Unless, you happen to be happy with that.

BDC Release "Blow Me"

I was fortunate enough to interview Nick Richards of Boys Don't Cry a few years ago and got to hear an early demo of a few of their new recordings.  Well, one song called "Blow Me" is now being released as a single via iTunes.  It's fun, funky and a little brash.  I personally love the little keyboard bits here and there and tension it adds to a fun song.  I'd urge you to pick it up but, heck, why not hear it first?

Distance And The Eye Of The Hurricane

It intrigues me the perspective we gain when we are far enough removed from something.  Time is the distance that I found helped me understand a few things.  You see, as happily married as I am now, I believed that I was very shortly happily married at one time.  The big point is that the lessons you learn or didn't learn from your first car will make an impact on your current vehicle.  The habit formed from riding the gas level to its lowest point could cause problems in a newer vehicle that creates vapor lock.  So, something clicked with the past recently and I thought I'd use my regular vague way of expressing it.

At that point of previous happiness, I was really unaware of how unhappy she was.  The first hints were her wanting to take jobs in other states and later telling me that, when we were next to each other, everything is great but when we are apart -- she was unhappy.  I asked about therapy but that was turned down.  After asking for a separation and later an exit, I would look back thinking that maybe postpartum depression was involved.

During the last few years, I've regained my physical health.  I have a rather physically demanding job.  I had a moment of clarity recently when I started thinking about my previous physical well-being.  I had an earlier workday.  I would come home sore and tired.  I was popping ibuprofen and wrapping my wrists/ankles because of what I believed (and was told by doctors) were strains.  I gained weight.  My blood pressure went up.  I was chronically tired and also slept a lot more.  We stopped going out to do things.  Mentally, there were unresolved questions that I promised to brush aside for the stability of the relationship.  All these things have now made me think of one thing... I may have been going through depression.

Being in the moment, on the football field, you have only your vision around you, the sounds around you and your awareness.  Living is like that.  You are really in the eye of the hurricane and the ability to step back and review isn't often there.  Would things have been better if I stretched or exercised more back then?  Maybe.  Would things have been different if I got therapy?  It's very possible.  It took several years but I am in a much better place right now.  I forgive that younger me for being stuck in a moment and the ex for the direction things went.

All I know is that things seem more clear.  Now, it is all about how I put that knowledge to good use in the here and now as well as the future.  I am happier, healthier and hopefully a little more aware.  If this helps someone, I feel like I passed something on.

Life Update: 040214

Last month was pretty busy and it's a good time to wrap it up here.

We signed an offer on a home (still in Henderson) and should entirely be moved in by July 1.  A lot of work will be involved (with a month or more of projects before moving) but it just means all my viewing of DIY Network and HGTV will come to good use (and will probably include new ones to join my other TV show recordings.)

Moving is kind of like spring cleaning for pack rats.  So much so that you'd probably hear me squeak every time the family decides on what makes the cut and what goes to charity.  Books, DVDs, furniture... they will all go through some American Idol type of contest.  Which reminds me of that one series of posts I did years ago with my shirts here on the site.  Speaking of that, our first bags of clothes have been sent out.  I had 4 of those zip-lock type storage bags for clothes full of things Kerry had never seen before... some about 2 decades old.  I modeled the stuff and let her decide if she could bear seeing me in them.

Goals and attaining them, we finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel.  We've bee working with David on driving for quite some time.  First it was weekends in parking lots.  Then it was a few streets here and there.  During our summer trip, he drove a leg from Las Vegas to Baker.  David's next step was taking his driving test and, on top of a few other errors, one big one (in timing his entering into traffic) prevented them from passing him.  For the next few weeks, I had him drive to school with me while I drove the car back home.  Kerry would also take him out at night when she could.  He passed with a 95 on the last day of the month.  Yesterday was his first day driving to school without anyone in the care with him.  Ok, sure, I followed him... sue me.  He drove back home by himself.  Today he told me he was ready to go and I told him, "I think you are ready.  I'm not following you today."  He sent me a text when he arrived.

We've been pricing all the new appliances, tile and all sorts of things needed for the new house and the wife has been trying to calm me down.  I don't like numbers.  I really don't like numbers that have a real world meaning.  I like them even less when I start thinking, "Isn't someone giving something like this away on Craigslist or something?"

Kerry and I celebrated our 6th anniversary and decided to keep with our go to a different town each year trend with a trip to the Pahrump Winery and their Symphony restaurant.  Last time I was there was over 20 years ago.  The wine that is named for their restaurant was impressive as well as their red blend.  Wish I could have picked up a few bottles there but It looks like we will just have to make a return trip.  Kerry was pretty impressed with the food.  I was impressed with the company.  I am a lucky and blessed man that doesn't deserve to live this well.

Started a new workout called Focus T25 today.  I'm sure, once I adjust, I'll be alright but it's quite different from Les Mills Combat and I had a few shaky moments starting out.

Been doing some research on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.  I really haven't talked about that part of the family here much but I am part Chippewa.  I think that I have visited there, at most, 3 times.  Once for St. John, North Dakota's 100th anniversary in 1982, once for grandpa's funeral and I believe once on a quick trip through on vacation (which could be confused with the first one as I was just about to turn 11.)  As one of the oldest structures in town, Grandpa's house has became a visitor's center.  I recently learned that he used to give out pennies during Halloween.  Well, you have to account for inflation but it was worth more back then.

Looks like we are going to be spending a lot of our vacation time this year working on the house.  We will still make it off to Sacramento and a few days in November for my brother's wedding.

Relocation Proposition

I know that I've been quiet.  After a lot of deep thought and meditation under a waterfall of red wine (ok, maybe not the latter,) we started looking at houses.  We started looking at houses.  I know people are struggling finding houses in this market but I really believe there is a reason for everything.  Less than a week after our first visits, we've signed paperwork.  Now it is just more paperwork, inspections and the financing gods.  Will know more soon.  If you remember the tiling job I did a few years back on the shower, I may be putting it to shame in the near future as there is purple carpet in most of the house.  Weird, I know.  I think it was to match their sofa and not a fetish for Barney.  Gotta run.  So much to do, so much on my mind and, yes, lots to look forward to.

Travel Tip #483

You have been busy with life.  Things get hectic but you still need to get some things done right or it will take more effort to fix it or you'll remain frustrated later.  That is where this tip comes in handy.

Guys.  If you are taking the girlfriend on a trip, you must book the room yourself.  Yes, this could be out of your comfort zone.  You may get yelled at for picking a lousy hotel, room or view but, trust me, you must do it.  Why?

Hotels have stepped up in the last dozen years.  The idea of customer service ranks high and to them that means familiarity.  So you will find you are asked for your name, called by that name and it will sound forced while it is repeated often.  Technology is amazing because they have your name in the computer once you book the room.  You use that name again when you check in.  So, they will repeat it thinking customer service wins over customers.  If the name is wrongly spelled, expect to hear it mispronounced often.

Ladies.  I will not leave you out.  If you really want to mess with your boyfriend, book the room yourself.  Why?  Because nothing upsets a guy more than being called Mr. (enter your last name) more than once per time you meet an employee.  He may even correct that one person but it will not be changed in the computer and he will get called that way again by the next one.  That could be about 8 times a day if you work it out right.

Guys.  If you are reading this too late, do not answer the door, phone or approach a desk of any type to avoid this issue.  My apologies if she read this first.

The Family Mode: Musical Bonding

Fans of the band Depeche Mode will really enjoy this but it's still a curiosity for non-fans and maybe a hater or two.  Dicken Schrader is simply a creative man -- the native Colombian is a video artist with skills that become more apparent (a parent... didn't expect that one to slip in here) as we go.  Possibly his biggest gift is being able to bring his family together with music.

In 2010, Dicken started recording music videos with his kids Milah and Korben under the name DMK covering songs by Depeche Mode.  The first one, a version of "Shake The Disease," started the ball rolling and you can see the the kids' progress.  The videos are getting... well, let's put it this way, their version of "Everything Counts" now has 2.6 million views (not counting yours of course.)  They have even moved on to performing live -- as seen in the final video posted below.  So, chronologically, enjoy the DMK!



Shake The Disease


Strangelove


Everything Counts


Black Celebration


Enjoy The Silence


Just Can't Get Enough



I hope you enjoyed this journey.  Makes you want to find a favorite band and teach the kids some songs, doesn't it?  Oh, btw, the kids have another sibling that was born this year.  So, I don't know if they will need to change the group's name by then or if they will have to start doing New Order covers.  Have a great weekend!

Strange Days Indeed: The Long Search?

As any of you may know, I'm a research nut (as well as an 80s one.)  To my left at this moment are about 40 books -- easily accessible -- that I can reference music data at a momentary mention.  I have people come to me to find things all the time and I get ticked that they don't bother to look for themselves when all it takes is a few words in a search engine.  But, there has always been something that I couldn't find online but was reticent to pursue too heavily.

I'm not going to say what it is but I mentioned it years back in one single post.  But, it's funny how you decide to try typing something into a search engine for the hundredth time or so over the last... well, there was a point when the Internet wasn't available... anyhow, suddenly things pop up.  You see a connection, then 1, 2, 3... all corroborating it.  So, take the feeling of trying to find a rare song from your youth that you only know a few words to and multiply it by a few hundred.  Strange days indeed.  It must be why I'm shaking.

A Little Downgrading In The Near Future

Was checking a couple sales specials at Sam's Club while talking with the wife and stumbled onto this.  We do have plans to move into what we hope is our final home in the next few years and this outdoor storage enclosure looked pretty interesting.  (Except the idea that I'd probably be putting it together myself and have many extra screws and washers.)  So I asked Kerry, "What do you think?"

She liked it.  I told her that it would open up the garage a bit more for car space and that it would be a lot less cluttered.  Then she hit me with it.  I don't know if she was holding it back for a minute or two but she said, "That could be your new mancave!"  Crap!  She's after my mancave, guys!  Nothing is sacred anymore.

The Wheel And When To Let Go

I think there really is a time that you need to just let go. 

Not just of the steering wheel, although I remember my father scaring the piss out of us while doing so as he drove over bridges, but of the things we think we have control over.  I say "think" for a reason.  Making a plan or schedule is a great way to organize things but not often do they go exactly as intended.  I also know that some people avoid thinking of their future and, because it is so uncertain, they shy away from creating anything resembling a road map to life.  I'm getting better about that, myself.

So, when David turned 15 1/2 years old this summer, we had a game plan.  Take him out driving each weekend starting with parking lots and working our way up to the highway.  Things went really well despite a hiccup or two that turned into learning experiences (for him and us.)  If I have one thing going for me, it would be patience.  That serves me well in life, work and this particular circumstance.  Well, the weekly practice evaporated as David's weekend schedule was adjusted and, when he did get a chance to drive, he reverted to some earlier bad tendencies.  After an incident where he ran a red light, drifted into a different lane after going through an intersection and changed lanes without checking his mirrors, we had to re-evaluate.

We do try to maximize the time we do have with our busy child.  It's astonishes us all the things he has to balance when it comes to school work (several AP and honors classes) and a recently begun workout program.  We decided we needed to let go of the wheel.  When you don't have control of a situation, sometimes the best thing to do is hand it over to someone else... A-1 Driving School.  After 2 of his 3 two-hour sessions, I can see a little more confidence in him and I'm expecting that I will let him drive me to the store later today.

I guess there was always a fear of letting go of the wheel.  Despite watching my father do it (to the astonishment of his children), I knew there was a risk being taken.  It was later that I noticed he had been bringing his knee up to hold the wheel steady.  He wasn't really letting go but I have to say that my doing so may have been the best thing for my son.

How To Accidentally Stick Yourself With A Pin

There is something wonderful when we share things.  People are just wired that way.  It's the reason why language developed and why social media is dominating people's lives today.  Whether it is opinion, product, recipe, motivational message or D.I.Y. how-to, people like to let other people know about the things that interest them.  Heck, some of us go out and solicit those things from others.  The human experience includes moments when you've had someone come up to you and ask, "How did you do that?," when it comes to weight loss, auto customization, home decor, physical feat... etc.

That's where Pinterest becomes interesting.  I have to admit that it took me years before I decided to sign up for the site.  Probably because most everything that I saw on there had to do with holiday creations, hairstyling, wedding dresses, nail designs... well, let's just say that I thought it wasn't for guys.  It didn't help that my sister recommended it.  But, the idea behind it is basic.  You link a favorite site or image and explain it while allowing other people to "like" it, "pin" it or ignore it.  Pinning something is like putting it on a bulletin board to file it away.  Liking it does the same thing except it is all clumped together and not shared with your "friends."

As many of you readers would know, my interests are rather diverse.  Heck, you could see from my account what weird crap that I'm posting errr... pinning.  I usually use it to bookmark items, research recipes and find new health/workout tips.  But, I think some people really don't use the site appropriately.  Let's think about it for a second.  If you pin something, all your friends and, actually, everyone sees it.  If you like it, they don't.  So, if you "pin" a recipe, it better be good or your friends will think your taste buds don't work.  If you "like" a recipe, you can try it first and share it with people if you think it's worth anything.  Think of this as a reputation defender.  You wouldn't share a "how-to" tip on making a bookshelf if the end product doesn't hold books, would you?  Just remember, your friends... or future friends are judging you.

Making Coffee Drinkable

It took a long time to talk me into adding coffee to my routine.  My biggest issue was taste and Diet Coke takes no prep time.  But, it happened a couple years ago.

Afterwards it was all about how to make it.  Usually it was vanilla creamer and some artificial sweetener.  A few months back, Kerry and I were throwing things out of the fridge that had multiple chemical compounds we couldn't pronounce.  We started staring at the creamer.  Big time offender there always making its way into my coffee.

It took a lot of willpower but we changed to 1% milk, stevia and teaspoons of unsweetened chocolate and cinnamon.  So, why tell you this?  If you happen to stop by and eye the coffee, be warned.  It isn't what you may expect.