Wishbone

On By scottpetersenIn Camp Napowan, WishboneLeave a comment

One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago for lunch is Wishbone – located at 1001 West Washington (just east of Oprah’s studio).   The food is Southern/Creole.  I was introduced to Wishbone perhaps 15 years ago by my good friend Bob R. who served with me on the staff of Camp Napowan — a Boy Scout camp in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. 

On those rare – but delicious – occasions when I go to Wishbone, I am in a rut.  And I order the same thing.  Every time.  I order the crawfish cakes with two “sides”:  black beans and rice and mashed sweet potato topped with chopped nuts.  And an iced tea.  On Friday, my assistant treated me to lunch at Wishbone to celebrate my 42d birthday.  Would you believe 53?   How about . . . . never mind.  Anyway, the offering looked so good, I snapped a pic — just as I dug my fork into the mashed sweet potatoes.  That’s corn bread and cole slaw on the left. . . . Scrumptious. . . . . Would you believe 61?? 

Wishbone

A Gigantic Toy

On By scottpetersenIn Being a Grandfather1 Comment

Having just spent nearly 3 weeks with Eve (and Lauren and Trent), I have come to the sobering conclusion that I am not perceived by Eve as her grandfather. Instead I am viewed as a humungous (over)stuffed toy that happily interacts doing all manner of interesting and time-consuming activities.  We open and close doors ad nauseum.  We throw things with great enthusiasm like Sandy Koufax in his heyday  Since Eve is prone to pointing at things, I (being the dutiful grandfather) provide an on demand taxi service — taking Eve in whatever direction she points at and picking up whatever object may strike her fancy at any given moment.   Believe me. . . .  it is a slice. . . . .  A wonderful slice. . . .  

Boca Grande

On By scottpetersenIn Being a Grandfather, Boca Grande, Loose Caboose, Pink Elephant, TemptationLeave a comment

We have had a wonderful time in Boca Grande, Florida.  Here’s a picture of Eve, her stuffed Piggy and me (I am the one in the white shirt).   Was in Boca Grande nearly 30 years ago (and bought the rare book collection of the BG Library – which is another story).  The Loose Caboose (for lunch/ice cream), Temptation (for dinner) and the wonderful Pink Elephant are still there but sooooo much has changed.  Still great shelling and I found lots of sharks’ teeth on the beach! 

S&E

Courage

On By scottpetersenIn Courage, Malala, TalibanLeave a comment

In Michener’s classic Iberia, he facetiously observes of Spaniards “Anyone who eats chocolate and churros for breakfast need not prove their courage in any other way.”  I love Michener’s writing, but courage is not a joke.  To me, courage is shown by many special people.  These days, it is defined in one word — Malala. 

Malala Yousafzai was born in 1997 in the Swat Valley in Northern Pakistan.  She is 16 years old.  Malala and her family have lived under the Taliban boot for much of her short life.  As a girl, she has been forbidden to attend school.  The Taliban is known for crushing any attempt for girls to learn.  They burn schools and kill teachers suspected of teaching girls.  In 2009, Malala – at the tender age of 11 or 12 began speaking out about the need for girls to learn.  And to attend school.  She pubished a blog under a pseudonym through the BBC detailing life under the Taliban and speaking out against them.  She then began writing under her own name — and giving interviews on television.  All directed toward the need for girls to go to school.  

On October 9, 2012, the school bus in which she was riding was stopped and boarded by Taliban assassins.  They approached Malala and shot her in the head and neck.  Malala clung to life and was sent to the UK for surgeries.  On October 12th, 50 Pakistani clerics – to their credit – issued a fatwa (religious ruling) condemning the attack.  Malala is now up and around.  And she is speaking out.  Against the cowards who are the Taliban.  She is now under consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize.   She deserves it.  And the Taliban?  They deserve what they gave Malala.  Let’s deputize Mitch Rapp and Jack Reacher. . . . .     

Acupuncture

On By scottpetersenIn Acupuncture, Foot painLeave a comment

I’ve had foot pain for a long time.  It hurts to walk.  I don’t like – or take – pain relievers.  I just try to ignore the pain (yes, I know — not too bright).  A few years ago, I was at the train station talking to my friend Peter. He was telling me about some knee pain he was having. And he said he had tried acupuncture. Sure I thought. Acupuncture.  He said that he had gone for seven or eight sessions.  And the knee issues had abated.  Sure I thought.  Acupuncture.  He added that he’d gone into the sessions skeptical.  And come out. . . .well. . . . believing that there was something to acupuncture.

We got on the train and that was that.  My feet growled at me as I walked to my office.  Acupuncture.  I chewed on the idea.  And thought to myself that there was no downside.  A few needles.  So I called and made an appointment.  I went for six or seven sessions.   The needles were placed not in my feet but in my hands.  A couple in my knee as I recall.  Later, there were a few put in my ankle.  And when I walked out on that last day, my foot pain was nothing like the first day.  Truth be told, I still have occasional foot pain but it’s not like it was.  When it returns, I’ve gone back for a treatment.  And I walk out feeling better. 

As most people know, acupuncture originated with the Chinese.  Metal needles have been found dating to 100 B.C.  Acupuncture is said to increase (and correct imbalances in) the flow of qi (energy) through various meridians in the body.  Thus, a knee pain may be treated with needles in the elbow or stomach or hip.  Scientific studies have shown that acupuncture can actually relieve certain types of pain and post-operative nausea (see footnotes 7-9 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture).  And recently, acupuncture has been endorsed for certain conditions by the U.S. National Institute of Health, the National Health Service of the U.K. and the World Health Organization. 

I’m still a skeptic.  But an open-minded one.  But if my feet ever start griping, I know what I’m going to do . . . . .  

Tiger

On By scottpetersenIn TIger WoodsLeave a comment

Say what you will about Tiger Woods, in my opinion, he has been good for the game of golf. Make that great for the game of golf. While we all might criticize or condemn the actions which led to his fall from grace, it is not a distraction from the greatness of his golf game.  Tiger’s exploits on the links are legendary.  His prowess with wedge and putter has spurred tens of thousands of young people into the game.  His success over the years sparked an uptick in rounds played.  And he has a foundation that provides palpable benefit. . . . . 

On any Sunday afternoon when Tiger is in the hunt, what red-blooded golfer doesn’t at least turn a weather eye toward the television?  I was there on the big screen 50 yard line watching Tiger win his 8th at Torrey Pines on Sunday.  Wow!  Sure Phil, Rory, Bubba and others play a role.  But I think it’s still Tiger who draws the crowds.  And he’s got a few years left. . . .  

Setting a Bad Example

On By scottpetersenIn Learning to Spit, Setting a bad exampleLeave a comment

Lauren was about 3 years old.   I remember the moment.  It was a sunny day.  We were standing on a bridge looking down on a bubbling stream.  Several rocks jutted out from the rushing water — just below the bridge.  

Now understand that when guys are standing on a bridge, looking down, there is a genetic hardwiring that impulses every man to do something.   Spit.  So, without thinking,  I did and hit a rock down below.  Lauren thought this was really neat.  Lauren giggled and she puckered her lips and began drooling royally.  Smiles.  🙂  Laughs.  🙂 More drool.   “Noooo Sweetheart.  This way — ‘pffft’.”  And I hit the rock again.   More drool.  Laughs.  Smiles.  More drool.  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.  I guess it really is a guy thing. . . . . (sigh). . . . .

Television

On By scottpetersenIn Downton Abbey, Squawk Box, The Honeymooners1 Comment

I don’t mean to sound snooty but I really do not watch television. I watch “Squawk Box” on CNBC for perhaps 20 minutes while I have my breakfast. I will watch snippets of an occasional Chicago Bears football game (if they are in the hunt) or maybe a “Honeymooners” episode (see June 7, 2012).

Last year, Donna got video recordings of the first two seasons of “Downton Abbey.” She asked if I would watch with her. I said – quite flatly – “No.” She said “please.” I responded “I’d rather not.” And started to walk away. That’s when she pulled the “You know I would really like for you to watch – just an hour – of this program with me.” Now I am not quite as dumb as I look and I read into this request all that might lay behind it. So I  turned, smiled and said “sure.” And I watched.  The first hour of “Downton Abbey.” 

When she leaned over and said “do you want to watch the second episode?” I said (without much coaxing) “sure.”

I know some of you may not “watch t.v.” I can relate. However let me offer my observation that “Downton Abbey” is not just t.v. It is wonderful — and well-worth the time spent — programming.  I now can’t wait for Sunday night.  If you’re going on vacation, get the first and second seasons on DVD (so you have context). 

I still don’t watch television apart from the occasional Bears game, “Honeymooners” episode or “Squawk Box.” But I do watch “Downton Abbey.” WOW!

The Masters

On By scottpetersenIn The MastersLeave a comment

Last weekend, I saw my first commercial for THE MASTERS. If there is anything that can swat the winter doldrums, it is a reminder that THE MASTERS is not far away.

THE MASTERS is one of four “Major” PGA golf tournaments played each year. Unlike most tournaments, THE MASTERS is always hosted by Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA. The tournament was first played in 1934 (the year after the Club opened) and adopted the present – iconic – name in 1939.  The tradition of the GREEN JACKET began in 1949.  Interestingly, the course played the first two years with the back nine as the front and the front as the back.  At the end of 1935 it was changed permanently to the current order.  Prior to being a golf course, Augusta National was a plant nursery.  Each hole today is named after a plant or shrub with which it has become associated. 

There have been some truly amazing shots and plays at THE MASTERS.  There have been 73 holes in one with a record five in 2002!  Do yourself a favor and sit back for four minutes and 22 seconds and watch three of the most amazing golf shots in THE MASTERS’ (and golf) history.  I saw all of these live (on t.v.).  One day I hope to add a great shot of my own to this mix.  No, I’m not gonna hold my breath. . . .  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaq_SAtm3J8 – 1 minute 3 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nJfhUGM4Yc – 2 minutes 18 seconds (I get tears in my eyes watching this one)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZoUJZ0yDTA – 1 minute 1 second

Facilitating Payments

On By scottpetersenIn Facilitating PaymentsLeave a comment

Let’s say you are a trucker.  And you have arrived at your destination in Canada to deliver a load of paper.  The official at the paper plant says quite plainly – “you may not unload your truck . . . . unless you give me fifty dollars.”  You hem and haw and he tells that unless you fork over the fifty, you will have to drive back to Oklahoma City.  You then agree and hand him a fifty dollar bill.  Is that a bribe? 

You want to influence a public official to admit only your company’s product into a particular city in Costa Rica.  You offer the official a thousand dollars to keep your competitors out of the city.  She accepts the grand.  Is that a bribe?

Answer?  The first situation is probably legal.  It might be considered a “facilitating payment” under American federal law.  The second is a bribe.  Hands down.  And you can go to jail.  There is a clear difference between the two situations.  While a facilitating payment (or “grease payment”) might be considered to be a questionable business ethic, there is nothing legally wrong with it. 

A “facilitating payment” is defined by the Foreign Corupt Practices Act (1977) as a payment to a foreign official, political party or party official for “routine government action” (such as processing papers, issuing permits or other duties) which are non-discretionary which an official is already bound to perform.  The payment is not intended to influence the outcome of an official’s action — only the timing thereof.  Facilitating payments are one of the few exceptions from anti-bribery prohibitions of the law. 

I sometimes suggest to Donna that a facilitating payment on her part might be in order for my doing the dishes or organizing a closet.  Unfortunately it normally takes a bribe on my part to avoid such tasks.     

As a lawyer, I have to say – This is not legal advice (except perhaps when dealing with your spouse).