The Rant

Obama

kurt — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:50:00 GMT

Well late last night I got the news. Obama is the winner. I just want to say that I am not going to hold my tongue on this one. I believe Americans have shown themselves unqualified for their positions as voters. Yep, take away all their voting rights, in the end they made a poor decision. If we keep making bad decisions we won't have the right to vote anyway. Albeit I personally think Obama is a very talented man. However with his positions on wealth redistribution and his very weird and dangerous personal friends and aquantances who likely share some of his own personal philosophies, he makes a risky candidate. I believe America wanted to punish the Republicans and George Bush for the job they have done and the perceptions they have created. President Bush could have done a much better job handling us, the American people. He seems to have given up communicating with us over the last two years and the war was poorly handled before the surge. However McCain was not part of those failures. He represents America at it's best. Think about it, he has sacrificed all his life for us in every way you can sacrifice. He also was willing to work with Democrats on major issues and find compromise. He knew how to make progress. McCain risked his political career so that we might find victory in Iraq. And although I sincerely hope that Obama has a successful presidency in that he is able to correct some of our obvious problems, I am still disappointed. However, I do see two good things here that I am happy about. Obama is of mixed raced and his being elected says a great deal about America and our progress in regards to dealing with our history and racial prejudices. Additionally the international community may look at America differently than they did two days ago. No matter how unfair I believe their views have been, their perceptions still affect our well being and safety.

To me personally the most scary problem we face is our media and it's willingness to compromise it principles for the sake of profit. In many ways it is functioning as the U.S.'s fourth branch of government! We vote for them by watching them and buying the products advertised on their shows. They had a massive impact in this campaign by broadcasting their opinions over the air into our homes 24 hrs a day seven days a week and boy do they have some strong opinions. I think we are becoming a vulnerable country because of this. Democracy will not last long if people can be manipulated in this way so easily. The dangerous part is that most people can't see this problem because they will look for a source that has their views and biases and support them by tuning in. I can't think of a Cable or Network that's not completely off the wall biased one way or the other. The media has proven themselves corrupt and irresponsible. I mean our country is a wonderful place, please don't screw it up. Individually the media is made up of bright people engaging in a negative and deceitful activity. News should not be ENTERTAINMENT! From my point of view McCain was a victim of our corrupt system that chose not to reward the most qualified and patriotic candidate. Even if you don't agree about my candidate, I hope you will at least think about the media and how they have evolved into an ungoverned entity that wields tremendous power and is willing to wield that political power in the primary interest of making money.

Many of you are happy that this is over. The reality is that the conversation about what kind of country we are going to become has only just begun. Obama represents a new direction that makes many who have sacrificed to achieve financial success left wondering, why did we sacrifice so much and what value to do my skills have in this new Obamaland? What do we tell our children about hard work and sacrifice?

I am a PC

kurt — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:00:00 GMT

OK, wow are you kidding? Microsoft's new campaign to show the real PC users is in my opinion; not so smart. First when Apple created their characters PC and Mac for their ad campaigns they had little to lose and a great deal to gain. Apple was the underdog. Apple users are far fewer in number than PC users and it makes good sense that Apple could pick on Windows and Microsoft inadequacies and make progress. By Microsoft acknowledging Apple's attacks they are admitting; yes we are a boring and uncreative bunch and that really hurts. Apple was also rather kind in their selection of John Hodgman as "PC". He is a affable guy and I am sure many of us can relate to him. However the new Microsoft Ads are not so flattering to their own stereo type. Their PC guy looks more like the real thing. He is the guy that just does it his way and loves to spend time installing the latest anti-virus software and thinks Paintshop is a really cool graphics program.

Honestly Microsoft has been such a good marketer of it's operating system and software, that I am disappointed in them. Microsoft seems to be tone deaf to their own obvious weak points. By acknowledging Apple and creating their own 'PC' guy they proved Apple right. One last thing on this subject. It also seems to me they are desperate to find people using their PC's creatively that they are now advertising on MSN. Please if there is a creative PC user out there contact us! Please it's an emergency! OK PC users don't get mad at me. I know I am being obnoxious. It's just that being an Apple user for so long it's nice to see Apple finding their stride and making some really wonderful hardware to go along with their really reliable and powerful software. Go Apple!! Oh and you creative PC users, please don't hesitate to make the move it's not that big a deal.

McCain

kurt — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:32:00 GMT

I have spent the last six weeks it seems arguing about whether McCain is another George Bush etc... So I just want to say thank you John McCain. Thank you for fighting for my freedom. Thank you for defending me and my family. I have two sons and a beautiful daughter. I would die if anything happened to them so I know what your parents and you have put on the line for us.

I know John McCain didn't make a career out of being a war hero. That's just who he is as a person. He is just simply a great human being. He is not perfect but in most of the important categories that should be measured when picking a president he gets an A+ in my book. I voted for Gore and Clinton before him, so know when I praise him, that I am sincere. I just was thinking about the silly almost comical news media and how they twist stories to get ever drop of entertainment out of them. I am talking about almost all news or entertainment or whatever the heck it is. The lines are so blurred at this point. The fact that McCain is hard working, honest, patriotic, intelligent, brave, tough, funny and creative should be relevant but doesn't get much play. The fact that he has reached over the isle so many times, takes responsibility even when he is wrong, the fact that he walks the walk in his life and career, and his willingness to give everything he has for this country should count for something, right? He may not have a fancy logo, published memoirs or be a chain smoker like Obama but I find those things pretty self serving, even selfish and that's one thing McCain is not, selfish!

My Favorite Food and New Favorite Restaurant

kurt — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:26:00 GMT

I LOVE SUSHI I don't know the Japanese names for the different dishes, but I can't think of a meal more ideal more than
miso soup, a simple salad with ginger dressing followed by a combination plate of sush and sashimi. There is a new restaurant in my town
and I am VERY HAPPY about it The name of the restaurant is Sakura. They are located just a few blocks from my office on Monroe street in Tallahassee Florida. I hope they are OK with me going there every day, because that is what's happening! The owner and her husband are utterly charming. They put a great deal of effort into the decor and design and it shows. It took almost an entire year to open the restaurant! The chefs that work there are magicians.

Here are some pics of some of their sush dishes:

The next revolution

kurt — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:54:00 GMT

We are facing a unique time in history where globalization has made the world a very small place. With each country having it's own plans to survive in this new world, we find ourselves faced in competitive situations with almost every nation. We are the most successful and powerful country in the world. One prize for this position power is the envy and resentment of countries less fortunate. This stature also challenges us with the responsibility of guiding the worlds future.

Today we see many counties and cultures focused on our way of life, our values and our religions. Many see us a greedy and materialistic. I say all humans are greedy and materialistic to a degree. It's built into our nature. To survive we have developed a never ending desire for more. I see these characteristics in every race, age, religion, culture and sex. It's part survival. The rules of survival do not abide by any morals or ethics. It's simple, the winner takes all, winners set the rules and write and rewrite history. It worries me that every country vies for our position or at least to be closer to it, but who can blame them. How long will we be able to stay number one and what price will we pay? How many of us will die to keep our way of life and what options do we have? After all, we are one of the most free and culturally advanced civilizations ever to exist. Would any of you want to see how other countries would behave in our position? Do you think they would do better? And finally, does everyone realize that to be in this position we will likely have to fight and fight and fight.

I hope there comes a day where we can transcend our predicament, learn new ways to sustain our world so that we can all live here peacefully without destroying our earth and all the people in it. I really want this for my children. The american indians believed a parent should leave the world better for their children than it was for them. I am embarrassed and ashamed that I have have not done more personally.

I recently explained to my son how China artificially pegs their currency to always be substanctially less valuable than the US dollar. By doing this it helps keep their products affordable to americans and provides us with inexpensive imports that can be found at any Wal-Mart. While we temporarily benefit from inexpensive and convenient products, we lose jobs for our citizens and contribute to China's growth surge. As they grow they increasingly compete with us for fuel, raw materials and food. China then takes their profits and loans them back to us. This cycle will be dissasterous for us if it is not dealt with. I think the next revolution should take place on an individual level where we will spend our time and money to guide our world to a better existence. We need to change our values to where what we do and what we give is the measure of our worth and not what we have.

Elton

kurt — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:21:00 GMT

Wednesday night I received a call from a friend offering Elton John tickets for a show at our local civic center. It was really a last minute thing. I had no idea that Elton had rescheduled to play in Tallahassee. I believe he canceled his last performance due to illness. So I did some scrambling and I was able to get a babysitter which has proven pretty hard to do even with notice. I think my son is an angel but then I am his dad;)

The concert was AMAZING. Elton ROCKs!!! His talent, showmanship, skill are unmatched in any concert I have attended. No he doesn't do flips or bite the head off a bat, but he really is a force of nature when it comes to his voice and piano playing. I am very very grateful to have been able to go to see him. There is one more thing about Elton that makes him special and different. He is very humble and generous. He signed autographs on stage and when the audience called for him after minutes, he and his very talented band reappeared in different more casual attire as if they were ready to go home. To me this really showed that he cared about the audience enough to provide an extra level of detail that I have not seen before. The show raged for three hours and the list of songs was formidable. There is a lot more to say about his show and him personally but I am not eloquent enough to do him justice.

Don't throw rocks when you live in a glass house

kurt — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:17:00 GMT

Today was a really bad day for our company. We have a client that we have worked with for a long time and they are making changes that will likely mean that we will lose substantial revenue. We have worked really hard on them and they are very close to going public or selling to a larger financial entity. It's the same old story for us. We help a company until they are very successful and then they are faced with challenges in their growth that require them to change their marketing model. They see the need to get more control. I see it too. We can always take pride in knowing we helped them, but we don't get to take part in the final victory. It's our own fault for being so enthusiastic about business concepts and ideas. We get enamored about an idea that hasn't yet had it's chance. We see the potential and want to be a part of it. At that time we don't want to be greedy or pushy so just play along as a team player. The problem is that things change and we are more useful in the initial stages of growth. Once you have millions coming in a month you can bring services in house. Anyway, I will try to get some sleep and stay positive. The universe is a big place and our business Karma is pretty good:) So I am open to any new opportunities that are waiting for us. On last thing. Don't throw rocks when you live in a glass house. Remember what comes around, goes around and we are all connected. Our individuality is an illusion and we all make choices that bring us closer or farther from God. Our greatest gift is that we can make our own choices. Don't make excuses and claim you were forced to make a bad choice. If you make a bad choice, take some credit, it was your choice:)

money, power and fear

kurt — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:46:00 GMT

What drives us to spend so much time for so many of us to pursue money and power? It seems to me that it's not completely sane to develop a persona that is defined by how much we own and how much power we can wield. I wonder if it is fear that initially drives us to this relentless and addictive pursuit? To be successful these days in business most people think you must have a strong competitive drive to exert power over others. This drive from what I have experienced is usually derived from some abnormal circumstance in childhood where security at some point is threatened. This is just my personal observation. Although my drive is strong, it's not to the point where I don't recognize the sacrifices I am making or inequities in the employer, employee relationship. At this stage of my life I am more driven to protect the environment we have created at our work place. I remember what it's like to work in a difficult environment and I don't want to go back, EVER. I am often in awe of friends of mine that are so ultra focused to the point of obsession. There is a book that really gave me hope that I might find success in balance, "From Good to Great". in the book they diagnose the successes of various companies and the qualities in their leadership. It seems that the most long terms successes were created by leaders that created healthy and passionate work environments. I hope this is true because it gives me hope that I don't need to sacrifice my entire life for business. My once best friend seems wrapped in his pursuit of ego to such a degree that it will likely lead directly to his undoing. It makes me wonder what mistakes I might be making and am completely unaware of.

Let's get this Party started

kurt — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:58:00 GMT

OK, it's taken me a long time to start this Blog. I have given many people advice in starting their blogs. I usually say to them; "everyone has something interesting to say" or "share your life and people will connect with you and appreciate your sharing". Although I do agree with myself here;) it's harder to do in reality. You put yourself out in the world and that means you leave yourself vulnerable to criticism and rejection. Maybe your wrong and someone will publicly correct you:P What then? So ego gets in the way. It usually does. It's stopped me from trying many new things that I really wanted to try. It's kept me from reaching out to people and stopped me from being completely honest. So here I am imperfect and ready to begin.

My first comment is about saltwater aquariums. I have one in my office and it's funny how complicated my thoughts are surrounding this fish tank and it's inhabitants. Whenever I look at them I think about how beautiful they are and wonder if they are happy and then the thoughts come. How smart are they and what is their experience of life like in there? I wonder if I am limiting their experience and what their life would be life if I had never set this tank up. How much better life would they have led if I didn't bring them here? Also, it's a big expense and what does that say about me? I wonder if I could make their experience better. Then again I am taken in by their complexity. They remind me of a symphony in their behaviors all taking place in a perfect visual harmony. Maybe I shouldn't have this tank and maybe they should be in the ocean and if I want to see them I should go out and experience them in their world. Why can't I just enjoy them and relax and appreciate how wonderful and amazing they are? For me this fish tank is a microcosm of my experience of life. I called this blog "The Rant" for a reason. That's how I take in the world. To me I experience life as ideas, concepts and perceptions coming in from many directions all at once. I exist at their intersection changing constantly never knowing my own true form. Yet these thoughts are being created and they are my creation.