Fit is Go!

I hardly ever watch commecials on tv, thanks to my DVR. It just makes so much sense to record something and start watching it 15 minutes after the broadcast starts, skipping past the commercials and still finishing at the usual time.

But as we were zipping past commercials, this one caught our eye, so we went back and watched it. It's an ad for the Honda Fit, and it makes it look so cool. It was kind of fun to see an ad and feel a sense of identification with the zippy, hot little machine being featured.

Michael Hammer, RIP

Sad news - I just found out today that Dr. Michael Hammer died last month. He was only 60. 

Hammer was best known for his 1993 book Reengineering the Corporation (which led to several other reengineering books). I wasn't a fan of his work. In fact, critic and opponent are probably the right terms. I've questioned and challenged his concepts in several of my articles, and even wrote one titled Hammering Hammer.

But, in my introduction to that article, I point out "Dr. Hammer is a nice guy. We corresponded via email as I wrote this piece, and he was both thoughtful and generous."

I hardly ever agreed with Dr. Hammer, but I had to respect his accomplishments and influence. I also deeply respected his humanity and generosity. There was really no reason for him to personally answer my email queries, but he did. I still think that was pretty cool, and I am saddened by this loss.

Change

On the first day of class last week, my classmates and I walked into a room and quickly discovered that getting everyone into a seat was going to be a problem. The tables and chairs were arranged in a U-shape, with one table in the middle of the U. A couple extra tables were pushed against the wall, with accompanying chairs facing the walls.

As the previous class cleared out, we all sort of scrambled for a seat. I went for the front-and-center table in the middle of the room, then looked around to see several people still standing around. I'm sad to say my first thought was "Gee, I'm glad I got a seat."

A Lieutenant quickly took charge and got us to rearrange the tables into rows so there would be room for everyone. Dang! Why didn't I think of that? It's a classic leadership opportunity, a chance to see the need for change and do something to help make things better. Maybe I would have thought of it given a little more time, but the fact is, that lieutenant beat me to it. Embarrassing, but also encouraging. It's good to know there are guys like him out there, with an eye for change and a willingness to speak up and make things happen.

Banksta' Rap

Found a link to this webcomic from The Distributist Review, and had to pass it along. Holy cow it's funny (albeit not suitable for impressionable young people).

Tanker Billboards

Outside one of the gates to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a pair of billboards, advertising two new tankers. They've been there for a long time, and when the Air Force announced it's "winner," the KC-45 billboard even added the word "selected." I guess the "unselected" billboard is on back order?

I won't even begin to get into the crazy history of the Air Force's attempt to acquire a new aerial refueling aircraft - google it yourself if you're interested. I just wanted to point out it seems kind of weird for a company like Northrop or Boeing to advertise a specific aircraft on a billboard. Does a billboard like this actually supposed to influence anyone? When they did the source selection, did anyone say "I was going to vote for Boeing, but gosh, Northrop's billboard is pretty sweet looking."

I can just imagine the advertising guy pitching the billboard idea. "See, what you need is a big billboard, right near the front gate. That'll help you win the contract for sure..."

Sheesh...

Meet The Boomer Sisters

I first heard about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in 2005. It sounded like an interesting challenge, so I decided to have a go at writing a novel. Since I wanted to be sure at least someone would read it, I decided to write a children's novel, figuring my two daughters were a built-in audience.

After thirty exhausting, frustrating, caffeine-fueled and thoroughly enjoyable days, I had the first draft of my first novel, Meet The Boomer Sisters. It was a fantastic experience, and one I have now repeated three more times (on three different books). I highly recommend it to anyone who currently gets too much sleep or drinks too little coffee.

The book, like the others in the series, is a mystery/adventure, featuring BJ and Jekka Boomer. 

This particular story's themes are family, courage, self-expression and creativity. 

I hooked up with the talented Mandy Hoelmer for the cover design and internal illustrations. As a writer, that's always a fascinating and fun experience, to see someone else create art based on my words. I love how it came out.

I've had some modest success selling it at local bookstores, and have done a few readings at local schools, but mostly I wrote it for my girls. Every once in a while, I realize there's a pretty good chance they'll read this book to their kids someday, so I guess I wrote it for my future grandchildren too. That's a pretty weird thought.

You can flip through a free preview at Rogue Press, or (of course) by a copy for your very own self!

Roads Should Have Shoulders

One of the things that struck me about Ohio when we first moved here is the lack of shoulders (left and right) on so many of the roads. It still strikes me as strange.

Any guesses on why they make the roads so tight? Would it have really been that tough to add even a foot or two beyond the yellow line? I'm just thinking of all the times I've seen a driver coming towards me, riding or crossing the middle line and edging into my space. On those times, I think "Gee, it would be nice if I had an extra inch or two of shoulder on this road..."

I know the photo above shows a grassy median between the two traffic directions, so it's not a big deal there, but even two-lane roads around here are cut right up against the grass, bushes, trees, etc... No shoulders at all (makes running and biking a bit tricky and uncomfortable too).

Specific Skills

I'm pretty disappointed by the way the GOP Vice Presidential candidate has avoided and rebuffed the media's attempts to ask her questions. Of course, on the rare occasions when she does talk with reporters, her answers don't exactly inspire confidence, so maybe it makes sense for her to avoid interacting with the press. 

For example, when Katie Couric asked her to explain and clarify an earlier statement about how living close to Russia constitutes foreign policy expertise, she couldn't do it. The question seemed like a softball to me - basically Couric was saying "Here's an opportunity to explain and clarify something you already said." How hard is that?

And there's this from a CNN article: When asked for "specific skills" she could cite to rebut critics who question her grasp of international affairs, Sarah Palin replied, "I am prepared."

Um, being prepared isn't exactly a specific skill. Neither is an inability to answer questions.

Personally, I prefer politicians who can speak well and express their beliefs, principles, ideas and priorities (not to mention their qualifications). I like it when people answer questions, not with canned, prepared statements, but with thoughtful, honest answers. Maybe that's just me.

It will be interesting to see how the debate goes tonight...

Dan's Books: The Simplicity Cycle

Did you know that October is Official "Buy Dan's Books" month? It is now!

And to celebrate Official "Buy Dan's Books" month, thoughout the month of October I'll periodically present short profiles and reviews of my books, with links to Rogue Press and Silly Hat Press, so you can buy copies for your very own self (and some to give as gifst)! How exciting is that! I'll even autograph them for you, if you see me in person (or send one to me in the mail)

We'll start with The Simplicity Cycle. It's a design book that explores the relationship between complexity, goodness and time. I originally wrote it for engineers and systems designers, but I've heard from artists, writers, software programmers, college professors and scientists who say it describes their creative journeys. 

If you paint, draw, write, make music, program computers or otherwise create things, I think you'll find this book helpful. If you have any interest in the intersection between complexity, simplicity and design, or want to discover some ways to simplify things, check this book out. 

You can download the PDF version for free at Rogue Press - and I hope you do.  But you can also buy the print version - and I hope you'll do that too, 'cause remember, this is Buy Dan's Books month.

In an early review, Chet Richards wrote "Like Sun Tzu or Jonathan Livingston Seagull, or The Elements of Style, this is a little tome that you can keep in the center drawer of your desk and take out from time to time just to glance through. The book is obviously the product of its own advice: simple, functional, elegant"