A rendition of a classic song, done like you’ve never heard it before. Regardless of politics, this is just cool.
-Paul
Playing For Change | Song Around The World “Stand By Me” from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.
April, 2009
28
Apr 09
the world’s getting smaller and I like it…
24
Apr 09
Consumption… sounds bad right?
This morning I was sitting at my computer working… or trying to. I was having a lot of trouble focusing. I mentioned to Paul that I was feeling “ADD”. This afternoon I thought about grabbing my 7th stick of gum for the day (I had almost a pack yesterday too)… needless to say, gum is a compulsive habit for me. (I actually gave it up among other things for Lent on year because I have such an awful habit of going through it so fast.) I decided to wait a little while before my next stick, and then I started admiring the packaging for the “5 gum” it’s nice, unique.
As I was looking over the details I noticed the warnings in mice type on the front. One was for Phenylketonurics. It said that the product contains phenylalanine. I looked at it for a moment and thought that sounded less than great, so I opted to Google the ingredient. Turns out Phenylalanine (which is 50% of aspartame) can trigger ADD/ADHD, emotional and behavioral disorders when you consume too much in your daily diet and that in high doses it can lead to cellular death in your brain. UGH! It contains sorbitol too, which I know makes my stomach feel awful… I guess my hope for this post is just to say, be conscious of what you consume… for some reason those kinds of products are acceptable to the FDA, so we have to be smart about what we choose to eat (and not be like me and over-consume bad things.) And if we choose to eat them despite what is in them, at least smaller amounts reduce side effects. I for one am done with those gums and whatever else I find it in.
-Jenny
16
Apr 09
supinfocom: silly name, serious passion
When I think about the sheer amount of pure talent, creativity and passion that is exuded by the design community every year… It’s staggering.
It’s what drew me to the field in the first place (plus during the summers I get to wear flip-flops! woo!). I was surfing around on motionographer last night and came across a posting about some students at supinfocom, an art and design school in France, and the incredible work they’ve been producing.
from the hoop is what Arnoux Anthony, Dessinges Rémi and Fesquet Guillaume created.
Here’s a blurb from www.fromthehoop.com
Story of From the hoop is inspired by Earl Manigault‘s life. Earl Manigault was one of the greatest basketball player of his generation. Mentored by Holcombe Rucker through his youth he became the star of his high school team. As an universitary champion, he seemed destined to shine in NBA. But before the transition, he fell into drugs and lead his life far away from the basket. After dark years made of jail, drugs and friend’s death, he gave up this world to return in the right way to Harlem. He started the “Walk Away From Drugs” tournament for kids in Harlem. He died in 1998 from a heart failure.
From the hoop from From the hoop Team on Vimeo.
7
Apr 09
Inspirational Way to Start a Day
This morning I had the pleasure of attending our local Boy Scouts of America “Celebrate Scouting” annual breakfast. They could not have chosen a better keynote speaker than Phil Smart, Sr. from Seattle.
The man is the living embodiment of community volunteerism. His passion and dedication to giving his time to his community are legendary and wide-reaching. This morning his focus was “just” on how his 78 years (yes, 78!) in Boy Scouts has impacted his life and business.
He spoke of how Scouting has changed over the years since November 1931 when he joined (he held up his original membership card) and 1935 when he earned the Eagle Scout pin he was wearing. For example, the “Sheep Farmer” merit badge among the 30 or so on his sash is no longer offered.
More importantly, he admired the things about Scouting that have never changed. . . the Scout Oath and the Scout Laws. He reminded the audience that the core principals of Scouting really do matter, even though they don’t seem to be much in evidence these days. Honesty. Integrity. Honoring your family. Being true to your word. Doing your best.
He attributes much of the success of his 50-year, family owned and operated business to running the business according to these same principles that have guided his daily life for 78 of his 89 years now.
Phil has been married to my late father’s sister for more than 60 years, so I’ve known and been influenced by him all my life. Maybe his values are, in part, why I’ve always felt so comfortable at GCI for going on 21 years now. The day Connie and I met, we talked for more than two and a half hours. I left the office that day not knowing yet if I had a job, but feeling like I’d known her all my life, too.
Hearing Phil speak this morning helped me put that day and now all these years in clear perspective. Connie has always operated GCI under those same principals.
At the end of the breakfast, person after person came up to meet Phil. They called him an inspiration, a community treasure, a remarkable person. But I get to use the best title. All my life it’s been my honor to call him, “Uncle Phil.”
- Ed
1
Apr 09
foiled! and other April foolery…
ok, so it’s been done. we’ve all probably seen the aluminum foil cubicle before. But it’s always fun to revive the classics.
Jenny, enjoying a little musiiic frooom spaaace!
But how about some of them internet jokes? Well, Youtube literally turned upside down for the day.
Google, unsurprisingly, gave birth to a sentient artificial intelligence… but CADIE’s seems to be obsessed with pandas. Hmm…
Ahh, April fools, how ever-so-much fun!
-Paul
1
Apr 09
crash, boom!
So there we were, minding our own business when a loud boom and honk was heard. Accidents in the intersection outside our building aren’t all that uncommon, but this one was something special.
Thankfully no one was hurt, and we all learned a valuable lesson about gravity, friction, and the proper use of tie-downs.
-Paul
marshmallows? check. camper? check. campsite... hmm...
