(An Autumn repeat – from September 11, 2016)
For millennia, folks have been burning garbage and “stuff” with relative impunity. The smoke was often choking. And sometimes toxic. Now – there are limitations on such activity.
But. . . . as a kid, I remember my father – and other men in the neighborhood – raking leaves in the fall. And ushering them out to the street – at the curb – and lighting them up. Saturdays and Sundays in October were the optimal days for raking, gathering and burning leaves. And the distinct smell of burning leaves was overpowering. And – from my recollection – not so unpleasant. Everyone burned their leaves. I mean what were families supposed to do with them? My dad would stand – smoking his pipe – and talking with the other men. As the leaves burned. . . . .
I tend to think it would be nice if for a few hours in the fall, everyone could spoon some dead leaves out to the street. And burn them. Like the “good old days” (did I really say that?). I don’t need a “bad for the environment” speech. Or “think of what it does to your lungs.” Or “aren’t there regulations?” Just think about sharing an indelible olfactory moment of an autumn afternoon long ago . . . . .
The Road to Abilene
[A repeat from March 23, 2016] It was a hot, dry, sun-drenched afternoon in Coleman, Texas. A family played dominoes on a steamy porch. The father-in-law looks up and suggests that they get in the car and take a drive to Abilene which is 53 miles away. One by one, the family members nod acquiescence. They pile into the car. The drive is hot. Dusty. And long. The family arrives in Abilene. They go to a diner where the food is as bad as the drive. They get back in the car and take the same hot, dusty, long drive back to Coleman. They arrive home exhausted.
One by one, the family members admit that they never really wanted to go to Abilene. They agreed to go because they thought the others wanted to go. Thus – everyone decided to do something — that no one wanted to do . . . . .
The “Abilene Paradox” was first introduced by Jerry B. Harvey in a 1974 article “The Abilene Paradox: The Management of Agreement.” The article suggests that individuals are normally averse to acting contrary to the inclinations of a group. Social conformity and social influence — “peer pressure” — drive agreement. The reservations one might have – with a decision or direction – is subsumed by the feeling that their concerns must be “out of step” with that of the group. This leads to reluctant silence. Grudging acquiescence. And frequently poor decisions. We see this in families. Businesses. Organizations. And politics.
The Star Thrower
(A repeat from April 21, 2013)
One of my favorite short stories is “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977). The author got up early one morning and began walking the ocean beach. He was alone. The gray fingers of dawn touched the horizon. It was dark but he could see that the sand was covered with starfish – live starfish being swept in by the tide. He continued walking.
Off in the distance on the beach, he saw the shadow of a figure that would stoop — and throw. Stoop — and throw. As he approached the figure, he saw that it is a young man. Who was picking up starfish and slinging them back into the sea. As he reached the young man, he stopped to watch. The author looked at the young man and said “look at the beach. It’s covered with starfish. What you’re doing doesn’t make any difference.” The young man looked back as he picked up a starfish “you see this one? It makes a difference to him” and he threw the starfish into the waves.
This message is so powerful it brings tears to my eyes. What do you do to make a difference? We are each blessed with special gifts. Abilities. We may not be able to throw a starfish into the sea. But we may be able to throw a lifeline to some person. With a kind word. A generous deed. It may not mean much to us. But it may make all the difference in the world to someone else.
Cybercrime
When I was a State’s Attorney, one guy I put on death row had murdered 17 or 18 (who’s counting?) souls. One by one by one. He was tried for two of the murders in an intense – highly emotional – 3-1/2 week jury trial. He was convicted and then – in the bifurcated trial – the jury heard evidence that would justify the death penalty. Or not. In my closing argument, I called him “the grim reaper of death.” The jury was out for a few hours and walked back into the courtroom with somber faces. Never looking at the defendant. All 12 signed on and the killer sat on death row for about 4 years until an appellate court “modified” the sentence.
More than half of all states in the U.S. have laws that justify capital punishment. So does America’s criminal justice system. Since the trial, my feelings on this topic have softened. A bit. I sometimes think that life – without parole – is a better punishment. But then again, just what do you do with people who are worse than your worst nightmare. Who are hardwired to do truly unspeakable things to their victims.
On Sunday (6/6/21) Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that cybercrime presented “a lot of parallels” to the threat of terrorism before 9/11. And she refused to rule out military options to defend America against ransomware criminals. I don’t disagree. When cybercriminals invade hospital data systems or worse use malicious software to invade and shut down medical systems, and people die, what should America do? Cybercrime is intentional. And it can be devastating. With the prospects of fatalities escalating on all levels of cybercrime – should we say pay the ransom and leave the perps to do it again? Or do we go at them. With an vengeance.
Talk Like a Pirate Day
[A repeat from August 16, 2018] Today is the Day! September 19th is “International Talk Like a Pirate Day.” Do you know about this special day?
In 1995 two guys from Albany, OR (John “Ol’ Chumbucket” Baur and Mark “Cap’n Slappy” Summers) proclaimed September 19th as the day everyone in the world should “talk like a pirate.” The whole idea stemmed from a racquetball injury. One of them reacted with an “Arrrggghhh” as he lay on the floor in pain – and along came an idea. For seven years, it remained an “inside” idea but in 2002 they sent a letter about their “holiday” to humorist Dave Barry. Barry liked the idea, pushed it in a few columns and the rest is history.
Actor Robert Newton (who starred as Long John Silver in the 1950 Disney film “Treasure Island”) is considered the patron saint of Talk Like a Pirate Day. So remember, on September 19th, when anyone says anything to you, tilt your head, give them the eye and say “Avast you scurvy lubber. Prepare to be boarded. . . . ”
I suggest writing your Congressmen and Senators to make this a national holiday. Since all politicians are scurvy bilge rats, this should be a natural for them . . . . .
Friends
[A repeat from May 6, 2015] Donna and I talked about “friends” while walking around the block with Daisy. Friends. We are blessed with many. Some are those who read this post. There are new friends. Old friends. Best friends. There are a few friends in whom we can confide everything. Or just about everything. Friends we see or talk to every ten years (and we pick up where we left off) and those we talk to every day. Think about it. You have such friends too. We all want friends. Need friends. BFF’s and just “friends.” Guys we golf with. People we work with. Guys I see walking to the train station (“Hey John, howyadoin‘?”). And of course there are spouses – and family – who are ever so special — a smidge above the BFF category.
Friends are good for us according to studies. Friends keep us healthy and happy. Even add to longevity. Friends make us smile, laugh and cry. We cry when they leave us. Yet many folks cry because they have no friends. We are in a society where many people are sad, lonely or depressed. That’s why our smiles and encouragement to all we meet can be so important. As said before, the small things we do for others may mean nothing to us. But it may mean everything to them. . . .
I like the wry observation of Ralph Waldo Emerson that “It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” Donna says that I take full advantage of that saying (“Scott – would you PLEASE take the lampshade off your head. . . . “).
Dress Code
We have a dress code in my house. It is strict. It is unwavering. And it is unwritten. Oh – and one more thing – it applies to only one person. Me. . . . . Dress code enforcement is much like a thunderstorm. Hard to predict. But when it happens, one must take shelter or suffer the consequence.
A few weeks ago, I got up early to play golf with my pals. I went downstairs for cereal, blueberries and coffee. Then dashed upstairs for a quick shower. And I got dressed in my favorite shorts and a golf shirt. And thunder began to rumble. . . . Donna looked at my shorts – and the storm began. “You can’t wear those shorts! They’re frayed.” I told her that I’d had my shorts since college. They were “veteran” shorts. But that didn’t help. As I was walking out the door, I was told to change them. But I didn’t abide by those instructions. The golf went pretty well – due in large part to my shorts. When I came home, I put my shorts in the laundry basket.
Weeks later, I was scratching my head – looking for my shorts. “Donna, do you know where those – umm – golf shorts of mine are? The ones I had in college?” Donna shook her head – with the glint of a smile. “I haven’t seen them.” It was then I realized that my special golf shorts sleep with the fishes . . . . .”
The 101
[A repeat from October 18, 2012] Donna and I just returned from a week in California. Two nights in Santa Barbara (the Canary Hotel). One night at the beautiful Summerwood B&B in Paso Robles wine country. A night in San Francisco (fabulous dinner at Rose Pistola). And then Napa to lodge in a wonderful place called the Oak Knoll Inn — a 4 room B&B in Napa (a place to which we could easily return – and spend a few extra days).
The drive from Santa Barbara to San Francisco along the “101” is amazing in terms of agricultural activity. As far as you can see — on both sides of the road for a hundred miles or more — literally everywhere — there is a hum of activity. Trucks, tractors, workers, boxes, irrigation, cattle. Everything moving (or moooooing). California has 4% of the nation’s farms but is numero uno in cash farm receipts. California has 15% of the nation’s receipts for crops and 7% for livestock. Say what you will about the Midwest and the prairie states but California’s Central Coast is truly an America breadbasket (and wine rack).
Afterword – Now if only California could comprehend some of the reasons for the terrible fires that are ravaging the state (see January 27, 2019).
The Secret to Peace is YOU
[A repeat of May 31, 2018] I just had lunch at my desk. And watched an 18 minute TED Talk – http://www.ted.com . In the past, I have applauded the value of TED Talks. And I’ve posted on a few favorites (December 29, 2016 and February 5, 2017). While I am frugal in my recommendations, today’s talk does not deserve frugality.
I just watched “The Walk from ‘No’ to ‘Yes'” presented by William Ury – an American author, anthropologist and negotiation expert. Ury co-founded the Harvard Program on Negotiation and helped develop the International Negotiation Network. He is the author of numerous books including Getting to Yes which describes the method of principled negotiation and establishes the idea of a “best alternative to a negotiated agreement.”
Ury’s presentation touched on the divisive issues faced in the Middle East — between Israel and Palestinians (and others). And the religious strife in the region. And Mr. Ury offered ideas – that are being used today. In short, he reaches out to each one of us to become a part of the peace process. I know — sounds simple. But if you’re having lunch, you’re bored or you want to see how you can make a difference – please — invest 18 minutes and watch http://www.ted.com/talks/william_ury#t-1105977 The secret to peace is YOU. . . . .
Addicted to Love
[A repeat from November 29, 2015]
In my post of January 5, 2014, I referenced some of the most popular music videos (which I happen to like). One I neglected to mention was the biggy of Robert Palmer (1949-2003). In 1986, Robert Palmer – a Brit from West Yorkshire – recorded the top-of-the-charts “Addicted to Love.” The corresponding music video was classic and catapulted Palmer into the national attention. In 1987, Palmer won the Grammy for best male vocalist for “Addicted to Love.” This music video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcATvu5f9vE
The back up musicians – all women who are identically-clad and heavily made up – are thought to mimic or mock the painting style of artist Patrick Nagel. Robert Palmer – a heavy smoker – sadly died of a heart attack in Paris at the age of 54. But the women are still around. The ladies were interviewed by Yahoo at the 2014 Grammys. Interesting to see then – and now. Check out https://uk.news.yahoo.com/video/robert-palmer-girls-today-173805406.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGtZ-9NCfgFNmnmFEaqX4DOXR5cM5yzyjES4lKBLqVhvOz5un1aOxp2_oB5er08vzAaTF3YRk3aFxdbZjT0bez0vKsN_rlqprc4VE74EkcpncM4mjp2G-1aaVM8hXlZrZGog-0y1kK3mRafaKbo6OXuEkdTkqIanwxLzJ8Hrq02z
Renaissance Hombre 