SCENES FROM PIG PLACES

Aha it is now officially the year of the pig! This denotes endings but also new and exciting beginnings. I bring you a pig story.

We were enjoying a conference call with all the staff. Our first time trying this mode of meeting with 30+ staff members. Worked fairly well, an occasional cough, dog bark and a child softly saying "Mom". Comments were fairly light as people were a little leery of the technology and breaking into another person's comment. However there were some of the usual jokes and silly lines.

It was mentioned that once we went to video conferencing, people could not come to the meeting dressed, so to speak, quite so casually (Harley slippers, pink pjs). Or as one of the men said, "Me, I'm sitting here naked eating Cheetos!" EEEEHOOOHHHWWWW

PASS ME BY SCENES

I was reading something recently about lucky vs. unlucky people. The main difference may just be that the "lucky" ones are always open to new adventures, ready to take chances and are living life "aware". Conversely so-called "unlucky" people may be more stuck in routines and afraid to venture out of their well known and closely defined "boxes". Safe but then one hears the complaint that "nothing ever happens". When opportunities arise, the turned-on, open person is better positioned to take advantage of the moment.

Oh sure, I have kissed my share of frogs and stumbled sometimes, but I have had some amazing moments as well. It is difficult to always live in the moment and be aware of right now every second of the day. Our minds are so filled with the glitter and smoke of thousands of thoughts, I think that can be mistaken for truly living. It is just background noise. Look up, look down, look around and only feel, see, taste and smell what is right now. I dare you!

FLUSHING SCENES

The TODAY show showed a clever piece on the amount of water used at half-time of the super bowl based upon the mad, out of my way, dash to the powder room so as not to miss game or commercials. To that I say PSHAW.

Many years ago when I calculated the water use of the City I was able to predict the popularity and longevity of a television show based upon when the spikes occurred on the water venturi charts. Ahh they scoffed then. They should have hooked up a Neilson to my ten-key.

SHOW SCENES

Been a crazy couple of weeks between doing evaluations for staff and coordinating our appearances and speakers at several conferences. Spent a couple days (or parts of days) at construction shows this week. Delegated like crazy to the construction dudes and dudettes and they came through basically. One problem with being an anal control freak is that it is hard to let go and allow 80-90% be good enough. But the way my schedule is right now-have to go with it. Actually it was fine.

Talked our college partners into setting up a booth and promoting our MIOSHA Training Institute program. The gentleman staffing the booth when I got there is an adjunct teacher and firefighter. Nice guy-but major talker. He had pigeon holed my folks before I got there and they were stuck and frantic.

Sad isn't it, that some people just don't even see the gyrations others go through to escape their convoluted chatter. I learned a long time ago to tell a joke or story quickly before the eyes glaze over. Not saying I don't dominate the conversation if given the chance (I am so fascinated by the sound of my voice), but you have to be able to judge your audience when you are in the consulting/teaching/sales world.

At any rate, I checked in with my folks and materials I brought and then noticed the other booth. I went over to greet the staffer and my guys were poking each other and rolling their eyes knowing what was coming next. They also know my limited patience. Freaked them out when I actually pulled out a chair (eventually) and sat down to chat. Then someone came up from the conference and I immediately started a conversation with them and kept walking. My Bad. However, and I don't know why some people don't get this, if you are paying them, you get to call the shots-simple! What are they going to do give you your money back? LOL