Seasons Greetings and Happy Hogidays!

I recently attended a wonderfully holidelicious (yeah, I used it) event to promote the local cottage food industry.  I love this segment of business in America! The proprietors are highly entrepreneurial, have an infectious passion for their product, and hold even more passion for the creation process.  They typically are also very adept at packaging, design, and marketing.  Add all of these qualities to the fact that being a foodie or gourmand (or worse yet a "gastronaut") is hip lately, and you've got all the points that bring a lot of excitement to this market segment.  Some evidence of this...

One of the vendors that tagged along to this event was a local photographic artist, Marvin Shaouni and a certain photograph he was exhibiting really make me laugh.  Before you gaze to the bottom of the blog to see it, I'll apologize in advance for those who are offended by it, and I am honest in that apology. How so?  Well, I may have been off put by the pic myself, were it 1995.  I went through a phase in university and early 20s that kept me far from anything pig.  Anything.   I had a very disturbing discussion with a Puerto Rican friend leading me to believe that eating anything pork would lead to a health issue I care not to repeat.  He was a doctor no less!

Jose Maria brought me back to reality...around 2002, I found myself on business travel in Spain for a few weeks.  I spent the weekends exploring the area around Madrid, and landed in Segovia for a day.  Jose Maria is a classic Segovian purveyor of "cochinilla asado", aka lechon, aka roast sucking pig. Seeing this dish prepared and eating it alone overturned any worry about eating pig, as well as erasing associated bad memories of eating fake bacon, spam, etc.  Unconceivably delicious was the roast suckling pig that was served, and incredibly beautiful was Segovia (above).  Yes, that's a functional Roman Acueducto that runs right through town center.

In the years following my visit to Segovia, I've found great gourmet pork options from around the world that have continued my belief that pork has to be the most excellent meat (excepting fish), considering nutrition, taste, and impact on the world.  I've even found a restaurant paying the ultimate homage to the delish piggies, Museo del Jamon in Buenos Aires - a restaurant that all but worships pork - be it cured, salted, roasted, etc.

In this holiday time of stepping back, recognizing all of our blessings, and being thankful for things that make us smile in the world, I thought I'd pass one of mine along in the blog.  Wonderful holiday cheer to all, be thee a lover of jamon, salmon, or lemon!

Computation Rumination

Have I found the impossible - a niche unfilled in the laptop market?!

I'll freely admit I have very high standards, but I simply want a very well made piece of hardware that I can use to make my daily computing activities easier/faster/less frustrating.  I'd also like the ability to set the thing up with some custom methods and themes.  I'd buy something that is a standard platform, which means that all relevant application makers aspire to create software for.  I'd ideally prefer to give my money to a company that does as much as possible in the US, and doesn't have a single ego at the helm.  Lastly, and we're getting deeper into "wishlist" territory now,  I think technology products should wow buyers, even IT professionals.  Apple has been great at this...and Siri is an excellent example.

Ok, I'm not a fan of Apple's approach to customer treatment.  I think Apple, in defense of making things "easy" and "intuitive" robs consumers of a more unique experience.   There are many instances within iOS where Apple has already decided what is the "best" way to accomplish a task, and that's that.  Sure, it keeps it simple, but again, doesn't allow for consumers of varying computer athleticism to ratchet up.

Apple also makes some design decisions that help to promote the uniqueness, yet really is the marketing value worth greater than the frustration cost?  For example, the iPhone/iPad/iPod battery cannot be replaced without a costly visit to an Apple store.   Are all these Apple batteries really that different, that Apple couldn't just design in a way for consumer replacement?   I suppose the Appolytes really aren't going to complain, so perhaps I've already answered my question.

Microsoft's product are like swiss cheese. Even with the most vigilant application of limits on plug ins and helper apps, etc Windows becomes unacceptably slow and unusable over time based on the unending patches required.  Why so many patches - because the security issues just keep coming.  Score one in the Apple column here.

Apple also does it right in the hardware category...they build machines that are solid!  Seriously, some of the pieces literally feel like a block of aluminium.  But they don't always work.  For instance, I've had mobile to mobile conversations with 20 or so people in the last week.   I had my ears tuned to listen for a specific voice quality I first heard when I knew I was talking to an iPhone 4 user.   I heard the robotic, digitized sounding vocal quality 7 times in the week...and whaddya know - each and every was an iPhone 4 owner.   Seriously, if it can't do the phone part right, then change the damned name.

Anyway, after the deliberation of this blog, I think I've figured out why I don't need to start a computer company.

1. Apple will start making some decisions by majority vote, and let consumer feedback play as big a role as CEO's ego plays
2. PC makers will realize that Apple is crushing them and one or two will finally approach Apple's quality
3. The era of the Appolyte is closing, and with it the general norm of society that it's not cool to challenge anything Apple does

By sometime in 2012, I should be all set.  Until then I'll just need to make due with the hot, slowing, piece of PC on my lap.  So, as with other things in life, patience pays off.  :)

Audi-bly Ignorant

Auto maker Audi ran a television spot a few months ago that brought appreciation and laughs including my own.  Have a quick look: Audi Goodnight Ad.

Based on the Goodnight Moon children's book, this ad poked fun of the artificial and stuffy factors that the buying public has been made to believe come with buying a traditional luxury car.  In other words, Audi wanted you to step away from stereotypes and think on your own about why something is deemed great.

What a difference a few months can make.

Audi is now running an advertising campaign lately titled "The Best".   Here's an example ad that is getting a LOT of airplay during the baseball championship series:

True Greatness Should Never Go Unrecognized

The Scotman officially is declaring this second ad as a dislike.  This ad promotes pretentiousness.   Why can't someone like art by Vermeer just because they like the color yellow?  Why must someone know all the intricate details about something in order to "prove" their affinity or appreciation?  Since when is it not good enough to simply appreciate a car for being a car or the way it looks instead of the way it drives?   Don't get me wrong, Audi makes a fine product.  My beef is with the way the agency chose to marginalize those that step back and appreciate things for simple rather than complex or heavily researched reasons.  

The ad, just screams the stereotype of a snooty buyer obsessed with outdoing the neighbor in things they decide to buy or have in their lives.   Everyone's got their own passions, and some may really enjoy researching every last detail to determine that the Audi, on paper and to them, is true greatness.  Sure the folks that learn more about the car may appreciate it for more reasons, but then so does the guy on the production line.   Don't look down at those that choose the same car (or anything) for entirely their own (and likely different) reasons.  

Perhaps I'm a rare consumer, but I prefer the seller to let me figure out why I like their service or product. Be it a  car, art, or even some wine...if my reasons for buying a bottle aren't good enough for the seller, well then, I surely will find another cellar.  

Pedal Users - Pushy Types and Pushing Types

I'm not a commuter. Or rather, I prefer not to spend much time simply commuting.  I'm constantly looking for new ways to cut minutes, even seconds from the commute, as I can't stand spending more time than necessary alone in a car sucking in fumes and burning dinosaur bones.  

I blame this entirely on the lucky fact that I needed to ride a school bus just one of 12 years of my schooling.  I was the guy that rode a bike when I couldn't walk, and sometimes I'd even run places during college to minimize the time I spent in locomotion.  I just can't stand wasting time, unless time wasting is my intent.   Sure, there are distractions in a car based commute like a radio, a conversation with a friend, etc, but I'd just rather do those things while not driving.

Earlier this week, I left my house recalling just how great it was to ride my bike to work.   I did this as part of national bike to work day recently, and it really was surprisingly fast and easy...and not as sweaty as imagined.   Anyway, as I went through the routine of the car commute this week- news radio on, checking messages, etc - I noticed a cyclist in my rear view mirror.   As I slowed to the first stop sign, he passed by me, and I noted his commuting gear.  The guy was decked out in the breathable yet weather proof gear that said I'm a serious pedal commuter.   I reviewed his ride - a fast yet resilient cross bike- and wondered where this guy was headed.

I went about my 16 mile drive to the office, winding through the first 2 traffic lights.  I was shocked to see Charlie Commuter closing in as I sat at the red light.  I kinda felt like a soccer player, waiting out a red card, as he again caught up and passed me.  He made the very turn I was planning to make ahead, so I continued on, pushing my own pedal on the right harder to catch him.   I had 240 horsepower, and he had just .2, so this was not even going to be close.  

I made it a mission to get past this guy, yet I hit a few construction issues that I tried to divert, but only found wrong turns, etc as a result.  I even pulled a few "rolling stops" and was definitely in violation of speed limits a few times.  I tried changing lanes, I tried staying in the same lane, if it seemed it might help, I tried it.


4 miles later, as I finally hit the freeway, guess who was spotted pedaling across the park just in front of me.  Commuter Ken may have used some advantages, but he stayed on course and didn't let distractions weigh on his decisions.   I was happy to concede the victory, with the loss forcing my thoughts again to following his lead and trading in 4 wheels for 2 tomorrow.  I also thought of how much more stress I had needlessly added to my already un-awesome commute.

More importantly, it reminded me of a great life principle embodied loosely by this experience - Forcing an unnatural fate gets one an unhappy fate.   Allowing life to flow allows you to get "there" first, and without the drama. 

A famous quotation that goes way way back in time is something I think of often

-"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."- Lao Tzu

However, this is not to be confused with just sitting back on the saddle and pedalling aimlessly - "Fate is for those too weak to determine their own destiny" - Kamran Hamid

And one last one to close this special philosophical edition of the blog...
"Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep on moving." - Albert Einstein

Life's Accents

Not long ago, I spent time in a Spanish speaking world, where my native language, English was rarely understood. If you haven't been in this type of situation, I highly recommend it. Why you ask?
1. It gives you perspective. Remembering how large the world really is helps push us to step outside the complacency we all tend toward, and generally become more accepting, and less self-centered.
2. Experiencing how language and social norms interact to drive behavior differences between cultures is cool.
3. It sparks the part of your brain that pursues knowledge and self-improvement...the area of your personality that pushes to make life greater, deeper, more involved.
4. Funny moments of misunderstanding pop up regularly - often based on misuse of words, accents, etc

Sometimes not only language, but accents can even get in the way for those sharing language (think Downeast Mainer and Creole Louisianan trying to converse on a bad mobile phone line) and this becomes not only comical but at times baffling.   Just how many rounds of "telephone" did some words need to go through before language, dialect, and accent made two speakers of the same language unable to understand each other beyond "hello" or "thanks"??

This concept carries into foreign languages as well, and gets even more exaggerated. Perhaps it's a quirk of Argentine spanish, but I've often found that no matter how hard I tried to pronounce my Spanish  authentically to a Buenos Aires local (taxi driver, hotel clerk, waiter) they didn't have a clue what I was trying to say. If I were in France, I might chalk this up to part attitude, part true incomprehension. But here in B.A. surrounded by pleasant and welcoming Argentinians, It really felt like I was 95% there on accurate pronunciation, and still the taxi drivers reacted as if I was speaking gibberish. It seemed as though the accent was of more importance than the words themselves!

Isn't this a great parallel to life? Accents are akin to nuances in the ways we all complete the same basic things in a day. Take for example, the way that we eat. Some wouldn't dream of ever skipping one of their 6 courses, while others won't eat unless their loved ones are present.  Others still are perfectly fine eating by themselves in a fast food parking lot in under 3 minutes flat.
 
The way we eat, move, talk, walk, and even the way we sleep - all are accented, and these accents are what define us to our friends, family, and strangers...heck, probably even animals.   Just like speaking accents, the differences in our life accents we all hold can provide some exceptional humor at times.  Think about all the instances when total opposites bump into each other's lives somehow...somehow two people are attracted to each other, be it platonic or otherwise, but at the same time they have some polar opposite accents.  Sit back and watch for some laughs, but beware, drama comes with this territory as well.  Call them quirks, endearments, or accents, it certainly is awesome that we've all got our own set of accents, because otherwise we'd just be plain boring.   And speaking of boring, I'll end this blog now, so you can head to a foreign land or learn a new accent!   

Pay-tience

I dropped by a Target store this evening. After having a great afternoon, I was in a special mood - you know the type: the world is right, people are all good, etc. As I walked out of the store, I nearly ran into a man waiting patiently by the $1 Redbox video rental self service machine. I was attempting to throw something away, and in a bit of confusion I thought I was in his way of moving to the door. So, I apologized, and he responded "No problem, I'm just waiting for Arthur". At this moment I thought ok, this guy's a bit off telling me who he's waiting for, so I'll just move on. And then it hit me - this guy was waiting for the new release film Arthur.

Typically I would have continued on, but in this special mood case, I turned round and asked him "So, you're waiting there for someone to return the movie to the machine so you can rent it?" He confirmed. And his answer confirmed my appreciation for passion. Here was a man so interested in seeing this movie that he was willing to stand at the machine for who knows how long to obtain it.

I'm sure a few people walking by this guy may have thought he was odd or crazy. I was happy to encounter someone who has a passion- even if for a Russell Brand remake. I thought for a moment of giving the guy $10 to buy the dvd from the shelf just 100 feet away. That thought was scratched quickly though...this man's patience to satisfy his passion was driven by passion directly. Not wanting to offend or make his quest seem foolish, I said only "Good luck" and moved along.

Life without passion just isn't much of a life. Passion for people, for things, for activities - all emotional connections to things that make us who we are. These individual passions help defend society from the corrosion of conformity, and I'm going to do my part by paying more attention to my own. I hope you can do the same, and find new passions along the way.

Greatest Generation...for the time being

Where is the greatest generation currently growing up? Likely you've seen, read or at least heard of the "Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw. If not, the premise centers on the notion that the American generation that lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and the 50's/60's economic boom was history's greatest. There are critics of the idea that this was truly the greatest generation any society has ever produced, but I'm forgoing that debate to ask what society is currently building the greatest generation in present day?


I've recently come across data regarding a international assessment of 15 year old students in the areas of reading, math and science from the Organization for Economic Co-operations and Development (OECD). The results are summarily readable in the above Time/CNN graphic. Many were surprised by these results from 2010, and gave many, including US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, a chill. The question popped into many american minds - what can we do to improve our next generation?

The discussion started out with the legacy 1980's through 2000's question of impulse "what can we do to achieve best test results?". However, that approach hasn't found a comprehensive strategy, and at least this is one observer who is happy to see that the intellectual leaders and even policy makers have moved the discussion to more of a "what kind of parenting and societal changes can be made to once again instill desire to do the right thing and by extension, the best thing?"

I'm encouraged, as I feel this type of question's answers are exactly the keys to putting a country on a path to creating great generations. I'm further encouraged by a few promising parallels in pop culture discourse - topics that hint at helping to answer this question. Take the recent debate about "Tiger Moms". Another is related to the taxation scheme overhaul and the need for actual governmental responsibility, courtesy the tea party crew.

I'm hopeful that we continue to discuss topics that move current leaders from easy chair to podium, and parents away from helicopter toward tiger. It's not about moving the dots on the graph above to the top right, it's about steering society back toward giving their best, being responsible, and doing what's right. The dot will take care of itself, and even if America never reaches the highest right corner, the society will again be so productive and cohesive such that non-testable skills can easily make up any intellectual gap.