Every fall I look forward to the "extra" hour when DST ends. Of course, normally Sunday is the only day I notice it.
However, there is always something different about that Sunday, a feeling of expanding of time. I always like to take at least one hour and do sometime different I normally wouldn't do.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Uncle Wayne
A lot has happened since my last post.
Uncle Wayne passed away and Aliene and I went to his services. We are glad we had the opportunity to join in with other family on saying goodby to Uncle Wayne.
Aliene and I decided to drive, and on the way, we listened to Tim Russert's memories of his father. Somehow it was very appropriate, as both his father and Uncle Wayne were part of the "Greatest Generation" who have given so much to our country. Uncle Wayne was especially instrumental in Boy Scouts, his church, and the Cloud County (Kansas) Historical Society. Also, he was just enjoyable and interesting to talk to and we will miss him!
Uncle Wayne passed away and Aliene and I went to his services. We are glad we had the opportunity to join in with other family on saying goodby to Uncle Wayne.
Aliene and I decided to drive, and on the way, we listened to Tim Russert's memories of his father. Somehow it was very appropriate, as both his father and Uncle Wayne were part of the "Greatest Generation" who have given so much to our country. Uncle Wayne was especially instrumental in Boy Scouts, his church, and the Cloud County (Kansas) Historical Society. Also, he was just enjoyable and interesting to talk to and we will miss him!
Two chins?
While putting my Granddaughter in her car seat recently, she innocently asked me "Grandpa, why to you have two chins!
I immediately decided to go on a strict diet and increase my bicycling and walking exercise time!
Hopefully, in the next year, I will be saying "thanks" to her for helping me lose weight and get in better shape!
I immediately decided to go on a strict diet and increase my bicycling and walking exercise time!
Hopefully, in the next year, I will be saying "thanks" to her for helping me lose weight and get in better shape!
Sunday, October 02, 2005
My "Strengths"
I recently read a book that emphasized we need to work on improving our “strengths” and managing our weaknesses, rather than spend a lot of time on improving our weaknesses, since when you build on your “strengths” you actually get more “payback” than when you spend your time trying to improving in your weak areas.
The book emphasizes you need to manage or compensate for your weaknesses, but the important goal is to “know yourself”. I read the book in preparation for a session at the ICMA conference. I also took the test to determine my “strengths”.
Of 34 character traits, I ranked highest in “Input”. I am sure there are a number of books with this theory out there that give different names to each character trait, but this book defined the “Input” trait as “inquisitive”, a “collector of information or even tangible objects that interest the person”.
At the conference, all of the persons with “Input” as their highest “strength” sat at the same table and talked. I was amazed!
Everyone at the table had the following characteristics:-Felt like they missed something if they didn’t read the newspaper each morning. (I normally read two daily newspapers, and will read three or more if I have the time. I deliberately don’t subscribe to home delivery, because I know having to read the newspaper will provide the incentive for my morning walk to read the newspaper!) All of us also admitted to subscribing to more magazines than we had time to read, and reading 3 or 4 books at the same time.-
I have always probably enjoyed “planning” trips and getting information about locale, sometimes more than I actually enjoyed the trip! I was pleased that everyone at the table had the same characteristic!
Almost everyone at the table admitted to either setting up (or trying to set up) a filing system to collect clippings and stray information. I don’t collect “things” so much, but I did have to admit to my collection of Hot Wheels, t-shirts etc. ( Aliene would probably advise you that my statement I don’t collect “things” is an incorrect statement when she works around my magazines, books, hats, and stacks of information I keep around the house. Actually, I am much better than I used to be about discarding items.)
For those of you who have read the book, of similar books, besides “Input”, my other top five traits were “Developer”, “Learner”, “Positivity” and “Strategic”. One thing I didn't like at all was that this specific book only has a “unique” number and you can take the Internet test only one time. The web site then encourages you to purchase very expensive programs to examine the program further, and I simply don’t like such techniques. However, I did find the book and session to be an excellent investment of time and it was certainly an interesting and enlightening exercise.
The book emphasizes you need to manage or compensate for your weaknesses, but the important goal is to “know yourself”. I read the book in preparation for a session at the ICMA conference. I also took the test to determine my “strengths”.
Of 34 character traits, I ranked highest in “Input”. I am sure there are a number of books with this theory out there that give different names to each character trait, but this book defined the “Input” trait as “inquisitive”, a “collector of information or even tangible objects that interest the person”.
At the conference, all of the persons with “Input” as their highest “strength” sat at the same table and talked. I was amazed!
Everyone at the table had the following characteristics:-Felt like they missed something if they didn’t read the newspaper each morning. (I normally read two daily newspapers, and will read three or more if I have the time. I deliberately don’t subscribe to home delivery, because I know having to read the newspaper will provide the incentive for my morning walk to read the newspaper!) All of us also admitted to subscribing to more magazines than we had time to read, and reading 3 or 4 books at the same time.-
I have always probably enjoyed “planning” trips and getting information about locale, sometimes more than I actually enjoyed the trip! I was pleased that everyone at the table had the same characteristic!
Almost everyone at the table admitted to either setting up (or trying to set up) a filing system to collect clippings and stray information. I don’t collect “things” so much, but I did have to admit to my collection of Hot Wheels, t-shirts etc. ( Aliene would probably advise you that my statement I don’t collect “things” is an incorrect statement when she works around my magazines, books, hats, and stacks of information I keep around the house. Actually, I am much better than I used to be about discarding items.)
For those of you who have read the book, of similar books, besides “Input”, my other top five traits were “Developer”, “Learner”, “Positivity” and “Strategic”. One thing I didn't like at all was that this specific book only has a “unique” number and you can take the Internet test only one time. The web site then encourages you to purchase very expensive programs to examine the program further, and I simply don’t like such techniques. However, I did find the book and session to be an excellent investment of time and it was certainly an interesting and enlightening exercise.
September/October happenings
Well, I have a lot of catching up to do since my "blog bug" disrupted my writing!
Aliene and I have been busy. Our house is starting to look like a house, and we are still hopeful of being able to move into the house in December, although January is more likely.
We just attended the International City Managers Association conference in Minneapolis, MN. It was one of the most enjoyable conferences I have attended. All of the sessions were good, and we really enjoy Minneapolis. It was really an "up to date" city, with a lot of conveniences other downtowns in larger cities don't have.
Aliene had another "epidural" in her neck for her neck and arm pain. She had one in June and it was wearing out. We hope an occassional shot will prevent having to have an operation on her neck.
Aliene gave me an "IPOD" for my birthday and I am still dithering over which one to choose. I had almost had selected an IPOD with a hard drive when Apple came out with the "Nano", which has large "flash drive" which is supposed to be more reliable. (If I sound like I really don't know what I am talking about, I don't!)
Aliene and I have been busy. Our house is starting to look like a house, and we are still hopeful of being able to move into the house in December, although January is more likely.
We just attended the International City Managers Association conference in Minneapolis, MN. It was one of the most enjoyable conferences I have attended. All of the sessions were good, and we really enjoy Minneapolis. It was really an "up to date" city, with a lot of conveniences other downtowns in larger cities don't have.
Aliene had another "epidural" in her neck for her neck and arm pain. She had one in June and it was wearing out. We hope an occassional shot will prevent having to have an operation on her neck.
Aliene gave me an "IPOD" for my birthday and I am still dithering over which one to choose. I had almost had selected an IPOD with a hard drive when Apple came out with the "Nano", which has large "flash drive" which is supposed to be more reliable. (If I sound like I really don't know what I am talking about, I don't!)
"Blog Bug"
Well, I'm sure I have lost all of my loyal readers! I developed a "blog bug" I still haven't been able to resolve. Every time I tried to post to my "blog", my internet shuts down! So far, no one has been able to resolve it, but I have found (today) I can go to AOL and then to Blogger.com and it will work ok.
Keeping AOL all of these years finally serves a person, other than to just keep my screen names!
Keeping AOL all of these years finally serves a person, other than to just keep my screen names!
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