page contents Google

FARMING DISASTER DONE ON PURPOSE

So much of the awful results of the farming disaster in the old Soviet Union came from bad policy decisions.
In the early 1930’s their main guy Stalin decided he knew more about science and farming than anyone.
He also had advisers explaining it to him in a way he agreed with.
Who doesn’t love the unconditional, “You are right, comrade.”
There was no room for disagreement.

[Read More…]

FOLLOW THE LEADER? NOT SO FAST

‘Follow the leader,’ they say.
‘It’ll be a fun learning experience.’
If that’s a green light for you, take another look.
Maybe ask a question like, ‘Where are we going?’
[Read More…]

RESPECT PEOPLE WHO TRUST YOU, OR . . .

This is the shocking end to a man trusted to respect people in his country.
It was all good until it wasn’t.
Is there a lesson to learn?
The people he governed had had enough and voted him out?
Nooooo.
[Read More…]

AUDIENCE RECOGNITION: KNOW THE ROOM

Albert Einstein had audience recognition with his letter in 1939.
His audience?
Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States.
He knew the room.
It was one person.

[Read More…]

BETTER LISTENING SKILLS FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING

If practicing better listening skills isn’t a life goal, it should be.
How hard is it to pay attention?
You did it in the classroom with the encouragement of a teacher.
I still remember Mr. Kraus singing ‘Toot toot tootsie goodbye’ when he tossed little tootsie rolls to students with the right answer in algebra.
Maybe we need more of that? Instead we get more of this:

[Read More…]

More Posts from this Category

toughen up

Portland Boomer Thinks About Losing Weight?

Not For Long Let’s agree that you are thoughtful and considerate, that you know how to do the right thing and make an effort to do just that. So far so good? In addition, since you are a Portland baby boomer, a boomer living somewhere else, or just know boomers, you’ve had time to consider the […]

INFLAMMATION, CHRONIC PAIN, ADDICTION

We all have a horse in the chronic pain race. The best advice after surgery is taking pain pills on a schedule. If you let the pain get ahead of the pain killer, it’s hard to back down. Skip a pill and you might take an extra dose, then double up in half the scheduled […]

GET A LIFE, THEY SAY. WHAT DO YOU SAY AFTER THAT?

“Get a life” isn’t the worst thing you’ll ever hear. Don’t make it worse. Get a life translation: What ever you’re doing is either wrong time, wrong place, or just plain wrong. Get and new life and make better decisions? Is that the idea? Before you transform yourself into someone you don’t know, don’t want […]

More Posts from this Category

boomer years

INTERPRETING AARP’S TOP TEN BABY BOOMER ALBUMS

A Top Ten list never includes everyone’s picks, but who doesn’t trust AARP? They’ve got their finger on the public pulse, especially the public with silver threads running through their hair paint like mine. It’s a nice list with a few omissions which I’ll add toward the end of this Portland baby boomer take. For younger readers I’ll list […]

TOO OLD TO RETIRE YOUNG?

Sixty Is The New Sixty In The Garden. The dream used to be make a million before you’re thirty and retire. You’ve seen these people, these young retirees? They travel, learn new languages, stay in shape. In other words they’re bored to death and need to keep finding challenges before their brains shut down completely. […]

MILLENNIALS LIVE WITH PARENTS

Is it a good thing, or failure to launch? Talk to baby boomers and ask when they moved out. You get the same answer most of the time. “Right after high school,” is common. “After college,” is usual. It’s ‘after’ something. After deciding they don’t want any parent telling them what to do? After hearing, […]

More Posts from this Category

buckle up

FIVE DIAMOND VIDANTA MEANS FIVE DIAMOND DAVE?

    Five Diamond Vidanta is my first five diamond resort. Until then I was a four diamond guy.   Did I need an upgrade? Who doesn’t.   I’m a basic one diamond guy in real life, but when needed I can fit in.   I explained this to my wife. She started pointing out […]

SHOW UP LATE? APOLOGIZE AND PROMISE TO JUMP

      I’m sorry I’m late.  

GREEN CORNER OF MIDDLE EASTERN MESA

    “Green Corner is off Southern and Alma School. I’ve been there,” I said, flooring the rental car through the round-about on Bass Pro Drive.   “So you know the way? I should stop looking at the GPS?” she said. “Fast corner.”   I’d been there five months ago with DD. Alma School was […]

More Posts from this Category