Summer 2013 August 27

73/74 degrees.  Definite coolness in air and I really notice the shorter days of sunlight now.

Still listening to the "Willpower Instinct".  This morning's segment included the power of suggestion in how decisions are made. I definitely need to get a copy of this book!  Maybe I will even offer to instruct a class in it for discussion purposes, or at least I will look to see if anyone if offering a discussion group on this.  One part this morning also reviewed the power of committing to an action, in this case an e-mail to someone you didn't know in the group, asking if that person had kept their commitment.  

I live by the minute in the "hyper time" of the early morning.  I know, almost to the minute what time I will be doing something based on when I get up and if I dither or not before I walk (answering e-mails etc.).  

The Lakeland political campaign has been interesting to observe (fortunately I can't participate).  It has certainly been a stage of a variety of behaviors. 

The power of WD-40 is amazing.  I have always thought it is something of a wonder product and it came through again.  Ever since we moved into our house we have been assaulted with the noise of squeaking doors.  I even planned to take off the doors and soak the hinges (well, the little bolt thing) in oil.  I tried some WD-40 on the doors over the weekend and, wonder of wonders, it worked and we now have silent doors.  (If I could just use it on some people or stereo systems!)

My newspaper carrier is wonderful.  He comes by almost every morning at about the same time and rarely misses a newspaper or fails to get it in a good place on my driveway.  Best of all, he is early enough I can get the papers after my walk.  

Summer 2013 August 16

66 degrees this morning!  I am ready for the return to hot weather, although the daytime has been nice, weather wise.

Finished reading (actually listening to) "Steve Jobs".  It is a great book on the development of the computer age, regardless of what you may think of Steve Jobs or Apple Computer.  I will probably buy the book just to have it around to re-read.  He made some major mistakes on products (I have several of the latest iPod Shuffles to prove it!), but also some wonderful products (iPhone 5, iMac etc.).

I thought the second of my three original iPod shuffles (the gumstick ones) battery had gone out this morning, but I think it is recharging. I really like the gumstick ones and feel the iPod shuffles after that were basically failures.  I do like the latest iPod Nano.

I started listening to a book on "Willpower".  I'll give it several sessions, but was not impressed by the first listening.  I guess I don't have the willpower to suffer through it!  

The political campaign in Lakeland continues.  Obviously I can't say much about it, except it brings out the worst in some people and the best in others.  Worst of all, it trashes up the environment with signs.  Realize they may be necessary, but I'm not sure why.  In as way it is insulting to voters to assume their votes can be obtained by a large number of signs hoping they will vote based on name recognition like selling soft drinks.  At least is will be over in a month or so.

The last weekend of Redbirds baseball (The Memphis Redbirds, the minor league team for the St. Louis Cardinals).  It has been a lot of fun attending the games.  While both Aliene and I are extreme Chicago Cubs baseball fans, we have become (almost) as extreme St. Louis Cardinal fans since many of the players we have seen playing on the Memphis Redbirds are now stars of the Cardinals.  Hard not to be for them.  The Memphis Redbirds also just are a class organization and the Autozone baseball stadium is wonderful.  We are rapidly becoming diehard (whatever that means) Cardinal fans.

Friday.  While I spend much of my weekend on work activities, it is difference since I am not tethered to the office etc.  Gives me a chance to catch up on work as well as personal activities.