BUNNY SCENES

This thought keeps rolling around in my head. The upcoming Easter week and secular "bunnies" hopping around town lately remind me of a remark my Mother made the other day. We were immersed with the activities related to my Uncle's recent passing and celebrating my sister Kathleen's birthday. (Ed. note-These just happened at the same time, nothing to do with each other) Well, except,

aren't the events of life related? Birth, marriage, ceremonies, celebrations, funerals.... anyway we use these occasions to look back and reminisce and in this case, we were looking at old pictures.

A couple of interesting facts emerged. One, my daughter and her cousins did not believe my father was ever young and handsome instead of just being "Panga" of the crazy clothes and hilarious pronouncements. Two, my Mother remarked that my youngest sister Lori wanted to be like her big sister Marcia of the long lustrous hair desperately captured in a cascading pony tail. M's hair was thick and black and curlier than any beautician could ever hope to achieve. The younger sibling was hardly more than a baby with a smaller, shorter amount of hair. To satisfy the younger daughter, Mother would put her hair into what she called a "Bunny Puff". Just enough to pull it through the pony tail and happily emulate her big sister. I don't know why that struck me at the moment, I just couldn't get the picture of the little puff out of my mind.

Again I apologize to my daughter. I was never very good at those girl things. Oh well.

SCENIC OPINIONS

Although we of the State Journal Opinion panel have answered 3 weeks of questions, this week is the first one of mine that appeared in the hard copy of the paper rather than online. Even allowed pictures to be taken. Our opinions will show up under lsj.com.online under opinions. Interesting group of people from many backgrounds and interests including a freelance writer, retired folks, a newly minted MSU grad an attorney and the rest of the diverse cast of characters including yours truly.

"As long as I don't say anything too detrimental about our work" was the only caution that I was given. You know me, no controversy here.

IT'S SPRING - SCENES

Has it really been that long since I posted? Guess so. Couple of weeks ago become a member of our local paper's opinion panel and offered two opinions so far. However, with my basic ineptness with 'puter technology I am not sure they made it to their intended target. Oh well, have a year to figure this out.

We are working on picture to go with my name and opinions for the paper and Mr. Perfection is messing with the camera and the flash (its daylight and outside???) but as they say "we're losing the light man"!...... Sorry slight interruption as we went out to shoot some more glamour shots LOL.

Just got back from Florida Wed night and booked a trip to Las Vegas last night. Without a wedding and school bills, we seem to have some discretionary income ahem. Don't tell the feds. Florida was ok even though it never got to 80. Burned to a red headed, white skinned crispy critter after a very short time on the beach, but it was so worth it. Burt has an aversion for wading (think sharks, manta rays,etc).

Stopped at the Villages (if you watch golf tournaments, you know what that is -la de da) the last couple of days to see the Claus'. Burt bought a golf hat and marker at the Nancy Lopez fancy pants executive course (no tank tops or collarless shirts) which prompted us to point out when he shoots crappy, it will be a perfect time to sport his "Nancy" hat. Guys can be so cruel to each other. That was added to the 2 woods (knock off left handed) that he wanted that allows you to change the pitch based on whether you are hooking or slicing. I asked. Apparently they cannot correct a totally lame game such as mine. Oh well. I was willing to go left handed if it would help.

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