Business Zen 2.0

Movin' on Up!

2007-06-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I haven't posted in a while, I've been experiencing the pain and joys of samsara! sheesh. This blog started as "Business Zen" and talked about bringing Buddhism to business practice and nothing has changed. But, to keep this blog all business, all the spiritual and experiential personal stuff is being moved over to our new blog:

Beyond Zen - Beta

Be sure to come over and subscribe or just hang out and read my wacky adventures in spirituality.

Kris

Cultural Advertising

2007-03-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

So, I'm on a business trip through Europe and stop through Cologne Germany to visit a potential customer. I'm at the train station and the billboard to the left is what I see. First off, when I see an add where someone is peeing I pause and snicker. But what the hell is this ad saying? Literally it translates to: "for same surely for everything". In the translation from German I can't see the msg but in advertising it's the msg you can't read that says the most. So is this saying that smoking these cigs is as pleasurable as pissing? Maybe during a hard night of beer, smoking these cigs is the best? Maybe this woman is a prostitute and just coming out of the woods with her John?

What is the msg here? Tell me what you think? Maybe this will be a new thread or a contest.

Advertising and msgs are interesting, what are advertisers and media really saying. I came across a post by David Airey that really made me think; USA vs. The Rest Of the World; a graphic design comparison.

In this post David compares the way Time Magazine creates a different cover page for different regions, take a look at the post but here is what he showed:

Surely Time things the US buyers have a different desire in what to read.

Who are they to tell us what we want?

Check out his post, it will make you think.

Google Junkies Unite!

2007-03-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

Google junkie like me? Even if they know our every move and every meal we eat, even what I sleep in or not. I still dig my Google tools. Use the customized desktop if you don't. Then, when you get sick of the usual Google minimalist look, change the theme......

Link | Lifehacker

Pitch Black Restaurant....Kinda Freaks Me Out!

2007-03-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

Wow, imagine going to eat but you never get to see the food you consume. Interesting idea, kill a sense to heighten another. Two things bug me about this; 1. the presentation is key in food and most miss the target, 2. I've been to China and Hong Kong, not sure if I want a surprise in my mouth.

Link | Designverb

Another Death in the Family

2007-03-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

I recently had another death in the family, this was a quote from her journal:

Every gun that is made

Every warship launched,

Every rocket fired,

Signifies in a final sense

A theft from those who hunger

And are not fed

Those who are cold

And not clothed.

This world in arms

Is not spending money alone

It is spending

The sweat of its laborers

The genius of its scientists

The houses of its children.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953

Awakening the Heart

2007-02-13T14:47:00.000-08:00

The pic above is of a lotus flower, a sacred and meaningful flower to Buddhists and other Eastern Philosophies. The reference to the lotus flower is a wonderful icon that describes the path we take to become enlightened. A lotus flower is the icon of purification of the body, the speech, and the mind; blossoming of insight into the true reality and then into liberation. The lotus makes reference to the path; growing from the mud (otherwise known as samsara), climbing through the muddy water to appear clean on the surface of the water (purification) as a bud, then moving to flower (enlightenment). It's a wonderful thought, practice that leads to rising from the mud and into the light with purity. You have to give it to us Buddhists for great imagery. Although I think the Hindus have it on us.

Through all this talk of desire and feeling desire and working with desire and transforming desire, I forgot to do one important thing and that's practice loving-kindness towards myself, metta. So I picked up a book by Thick Nhat Hanh called True Love; A Practice for Awakening the Heart. Less metta and more how to have an open heart for those we love. Without self-love one is not able to give present love to their family.

The book was great, I really enjoyed reading it. From it I took some good mantra's or thoughts:

The Four Aspects of Love

Maitri - loving-kindess, ability to bring joy and happiness to the one you love, training to do so is to practice deep looking toward the person you love. Understanding this person is love and without understanding love is not possible.
Karuna - compassion, not just the desire to ease pain in another but the ability to do so. Deep looking to understand the suffering in another so that you can help the change. Meditation is key as it is the looking into the nature of things.
Mudita - if there is no joy in love, it is not true love, suffering all the time (in yourself or causing it) this is not love, but the opposite.
Upeksha - equanimity or freedom, when you love you bring freedom to the person you love, loving in such a way as the other person you love feels free; "Dear one, do you have enough space in you heart and all around you?"

Love for self can be applied accordingly, the same concepts can be applied to the ego-self relationship. Loving another is the fertile ground of study and understanding we Buddhists crave.

Business and Spirituality

2007-02-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, so now I am back to some business but of course some spirituality mixed in. Experiencing what I do at this company I work for has been and continues to be a great place to learn some important lessons, so here is a recap of what I know now:

Leaders must lead, by inspiration and energy, they need not be good managers. Their job is to inspire and simply lead, bring all people into a common direction by vision.

Too many leaders also try to be managers, of course this is a need in a small business, but when a company grows it's time to put people where they do the best job and leaders lead.

Leaders must seek to surround themselves with people who do things better than they do, to do things such as manage or have financial savvy or...

Too many leaders are fearful of brings on people who are better than them but this fear is wrong and will only lead to dysfunction of the team. A leader is a leader for a reason and it's because a very small part of our population can do it, think about how good leaders inspire and excite, not many can sustain let alone do it. Build a team of people better than you.

People must be allowed to do their jobs, they know their jobs if you adequately trained them in what the duties and responsibilities were and what the constraints are for how they do their job. After that, take off the leash, open the gates, and let them run.

It should not be a surprise that an employee might not rise to run in the field right away, this is where coaching, vision and leading can bring a person into knowing how to do their job. A manager or a leader must recognize when to coach and must recognize true potential so a person can grow.

This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes that really sums this up:

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being." -Goethe

This takes some faith on both people, faith in the leadership to know what that person is capable of being and faith by the leader to know they have the skill to see where a person ought to be, treat them as if they have it already (without beating anyone up or having too high an expectation) and they will rise to it if they are ready. Not everyone is ready and this is also a skill, a skill in seeing.

Do you see the connections here, it's a very spiritual thing. Knowing full well that in our culture, talk of spirituality at work is shunned and for all practical purposes it should be. Our society is young and not tolerant so we all have to be careful. But that is why it is paramount that a leader and managers understand the connections we have to people and how to see past the concrete and into the possibility.

Just my two cents for the day.

Namaste to all...

It's A Reflective Day...

2007-01-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

It's one of those days where you take a check of all the things you learned or ticked off your list. It's been a crazy few months, as you can tell from the blog.

One of the biggest topics has been Desire and how one deals with it from a Buddhist perspective, this I call my greatest breakthrough to date but as we all know, it will go away and come back and stay and sit but will I deal with it differently? My guess is Desire will never go and now I can say I'm glad for that. For what I have learned is it's in these tough times where the mind takes over that we are in the best spot for study and application of the Dharma.

In this first post on Desire, you can read into how much I was, still am, struggling with Desire. What I have learned as of late is that Desire is a crazy little bugger, it not only leads to suffering (i.e. having false expectations and such) but it brings out a ton of other emotions. All fertile ground for the mind to beat the crap out of us. Desire seeps into meditation, sleep, waking thinking and tries to rip apart mindful moments. See I was creating an aspect of suffering by thinking and trying to get rid of Desire, which is impossible. And not what Buddha taught.

With luck and practice I have been able, for at least the time being, to put Desire in a space right in front of me and I can say Hello to it if I want but I now know what it is and what it does. Allowing me to see how it works, which has given me permission to see what emotions it pulls out.

Now, this is very hard to do, to be able to sit and just observe the emotions or the Desire. It's painful but what you are left with is a sense of calm and a lack of movement to cling to it, define yourself by it. It becomes just like anything else, that which will pass, only to come back. The world did not end.

I have to share something that really hit me and helped to ease the suffering of Desire. I posted that I needed help to my Sangha about Desire and this is what another community member sent to me, a quote from our Dharma teacher. heheh

"Oh Kris, I'm sure you are the only one dealing with Desire in this room".

Kinda puts things in perspective and keep you from feeling isolated.

Hands down I have to say my study of Buddhism and the support of my Sangha have been a huge part of my life in trying to soften the ego.

Namaste everyone

Ego, Human, Moment of Connection

2007-01-26T06:54:00.000-08:00

We humans are an interesting lot, there is a raw and knowing inside that is guided, ruled, and directed by that all interesting ego. We repel feelings of connection as much as we repel that moment of nothing in our meditation. Fears of letting go, fears of feeling that nothing, all fueled by the ego and it's desire to control and grasp. That which the ego hates most are the moments we should relish.

Reading Epstein's Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart has given me some new insight, which is comforting. With desire or any other clinging aspect, this story struck a chord in me.

That would be the story of a woman who's child had just died and she relentlessly held the child in her arms, crying to the villager's to heal the dead child. She clung to him as she went from house to house until she encountered a person who said the Buddha was in town and to go to him for healing. She found the Buddha and asked him to heal her child. Buddha told the woman to find a handful of mustard seeds from a house that had not been touched by death and he would heal her child.

The woman clung to her child and went from house to house looking for mustard seeds from a house that death had not touched. After a long search in not being able to find such a house the woman laid her child to rest in the woods and went to the Buddha to tell him she could not find such a house. She learned the impermanence of life and that all beings experienced the same thing, clinging to say she was the only one became a non-issue.

Reminds me of what my Dharma teacher would say about desire, "Oh, I'm sure you are the only one troubled by this concept". Or something like that. I will have to post the whole story, it's great.

A monk named Ma-tsu sat diligently in meditation when his master came to him and asked; "Virtuous one, for what purpose are you sitting in meditation?". Ma-tsu replied, "I wish to become a Buddha". The Master picked up a rock and began rubbing it, the monk ask "what are you doing?". "I am polishing this stone to make a mirror" said the Master but Ma-tsu asked, "How can you make a mirror by polishing a stone?" And the Master replied; "How can you make a Buddha by practicing meditation?"

Taking the obsessive mind and replacing it with a subtle version that must surrender, releasing into terror and fear as well as delight.

This is what I feel, this is a good thing.

One more concept struck me today as I've always pondered love and relationships. According to Epstein, "The major obstacle to love, I have found is a premature walling off of the personality that results in a falseness or in-authenticity that other people can feel. Love after all, requires a person to be open and vulnerable, able to tolerate and enjoy the crossing ego boundaries that occurs naturally under the spell of passion."

Oh the ego is a crazy little bugger.

What's Popular on Zen 2.0?

2007-01-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

Round-up!

In the last month here are your top five posts:

Watching Over Your Self

2007-01-16T10:51:00.001-08:00

You yourself should reprove yourself,
should examine yourself.
As a self-guarded monk
with guarded self,
mindful, you dwell at ease.

Your own self is
your own mainstay.
Your own self is
your own guide.
Therefore you should
watch over yourself--
as a trader, a fine steed.

-Dhammapada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

"I" and Meditation

2007-01-16T10:12:00.000-08:00

I love my meditation time, even if "I" am having trouble being present. It's a time to separate the two part, nothing and the ego. One is a shell or a door to the other. This came across an email list I'm on and it struck me. Those of you who meditate will understand, those who don't I hope will see the value and start:

When we practice meditation our mind always follows our breathing. Inhale, the air comes into the inner world. Exhale, the air goes to the outer world. The inner world is limitless, and the outer world is also limitless. We say "inner world" or "outer world," but actually there is just one whole world. In this limitless world, our throat is like a swinging door.

The air comes in and goes out like someone passing through a swinging door.

If you think, "I breathe," the "I" is extra. There is no you to say "I." What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale. It just moves; that is all.

When your mind is pure and calm enough to follow this movement, there is nothing: no "I," no world, no mind nor body; just a swinging door.

--Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind

Desire, Sticky as Krazy Glue

2007-01-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

Desire is one of those concepts that are so sticky it attaches to everything we do, like a pile of Krazy Glue you just put your hand in. Everything you touch becomes a sticky mess of desire. Desire of another being, sexual desire, material desire, desire to speak to a friend now that they have passed, or simply the desire to be present in this moment; desire can be the greatest cause of suffering.

Just when you feel you are making great progress you get hit with a wave of feelings that don't feel very present and bring you back to why you started to study Buddhism to begin with. This usually happens after a great and profound moment of presence, one slips into the glue of desire.

It's one aspect I've not felt in a long while but here it is, sticking to everything. Lately all I can think of is desire and for sure it's caused suffering. Energy spinning out of control, thoughts on the future as opposed to right now. It causes a physiological response; blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and also affects how balanced ones chakras are.

What's the answer? Practice. The mind is untrained and wants to bathe in desire, it's what it does. Meditation practice helps even if it seems not to. During meditation my mind can jump from the tallest of trees with only a fraction of presence. Then during normal operation my mind causes the sticky stuck thoughts that cause my suffering. Do I feel better equipped than before meditation and Buddhism, yes.

One doesn't have to meditate or to study Buddhism to know that desire is the most tricky of thoughts, as we get caught up in what we want but do not have. This does not mean to not dream to want but to look at it when it happens and see how it fills in the gaps and creates falseness, leading out minds to not see the truth.

It's been a struggle for me, but this is good, it allows me to have something sticky to observe and see in the here and now.

From The Beginner's Guide to Insight Meditation by Arinna Weisman and Jean Smith:

Sensual Desire

"In our meditation practice, through awareness we can separate desire from it's object and examine desire itself. If we desire soft, easy, smooth breaths, we can turn our attention to desire and see how it takes us out of the present moment and into the future. We can feel the contraction and pulling of it, and we can see how it can bring restlessness or doubt and all kinds of thoughts associated with it. This examination can give us exceptional insight as to how desire operates in our life - how it adheres to its object, how it makes its object more attractive than it really is and blinds us to its unattractive aspects. We can examine how insatiable desire is."

What does one do when they are gripped with desire?

Concentration, aiming the mind at the breath or another object of meditation such as lovingkindness, is one antidote to desire.

Even if we are not meditating, when we notice desire, we can try to let it go by switching our attention to something else, such as our posture or what we are hearing or seeing, or by just thinking of something else - remaining attentive to this alternative object or experience.

Bringing us back to the present moment.

This does not void us of the future or planning but it keeps us from wildly sticking to what we do not know of desire. To want something and then to goal and plan for it is good but to dwell and wonder and want and think and desire.....this will be suffering. Try it, I know it is.

It all comes back to anicha and the impermanence of things, things change, we all know it. Nothing stays the same, constant flux. Desire comes and it will go, replaced with other things. In a relationship desire is left with good and bad times, some luck and more difficulty, then some more easiness. It all changed and at the beginning you felt that this was the one, the mate you had waited for your whole life.

Watch desire, see what it looks like. Can you live with it?

Even now as I write this I have desire, desire that has been with me for days and doesn't seem to want to let go.

Ain't this fun? Yup :)

And sometimes desires are acknowledged but still don't go away. Even if it was easier than you thought to purge it.

UPDATE: It never goes away, this was incorrect thinking on my part, the goal is to not have the ego beating me up over it. It simply is what it is. :)

Like a Monkey Brain My Blog Swings From Tree to Tree

2007-01-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

Be present and not worry about the fact that this Blog started as my discoveries of being an executive and how Buddhism might be a key to unlocking a greater leader.....blah blah blah. It's now a collection of my path and where I'm going. Since I'm still a businesswoman the name stays: Business Zen 2.0 (even if I practice Vipassana).

Recieved some sad and heavy news last night, a good and long time friend from College died two days before my grandfather (written about in this blog) from an agressive cancer. It's an interesting time to have this happen as I've spent so much time meditating and learning about the impermanence of life and Anicha.

Feeling heavy and weighty from this I repell but do relish as it's a time to be present and look at how this feels. More importantly, I am present in my thoughts of Steph, she was present in life.

Mayor Tom Potter Note
Rosanne Sizer - Portland Police Chief Memo
Oregonian Article

I can see her face but can't find a photo to post, if anyone has one, please send it to me.

Please post your thoughts and words so as to have a place for us all to talk about Steph.

Our Hero

Will I Ever Go Back To Talking About Business?

2007-01-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

Maybe, maybe not. What we do know is that everything is impermanent. Right now what we know is my ego is softening a bit so I'll go with the flow and just write about it. We also know that this understanding is not only Buddhist in nature but the nature of life as well as the nature of Business. I'm sure you will see the connection.

Lately I have been able to relate to the image to the left, it's a batik of the assault of Mara on Buddha as he meditated under the Bohdi tree. My own practice has been full of assaults, my ego assaults as well as life and suffering make assaults. Although, I am just starting to awaken to an understanding, there is a glimmer of an understanding there.

The beauty of my recent commitment to a Sangha is the community and the Dharma that is expressed weekly, in my case it's Robert Beatty @ Portland Insight Meditation Center. The notion taught this past weekend was on Anicha, or that which arises will pass; otherwise known as the impermanence of things. It's been on my mind, it's been observed, it's been shunned and it's been embraced; all in the same moment. Then it opened the way to a small moment of presence.

Surely we can see why this is important but then I started to think about it in relation to what my ego gets hit with and how it can be stopped from adding one more layer by understanding that what causes the layer will pass.

In business, it's become a huge concept to me. When stressed or when my ego wants to get in the way and lash out at someone, the concept of Anicha just pops up and things soften. This is where the business comes in and how another concept of Buddhism can be applied. In business we often make too slow a decision or too quick, we shoot from the hip or we just get it done. Much could be said for allowing all or part of a problem to just pass. Nine times out of ten it wasn't a problem but a perceived problem.

Anicha....impermanence

Oh and this is what made me think of the invading demons of Mara:

COUNTY CASCADES.AND CASCADE FOOTHILLS...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON.

SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TODAY AS COLD ARCTIC AIR INVADES
SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON AND NORTHWESTERN OREGON. THE HEAVIEST
SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED THIS MORNING HOURS...WITH SHOWERS TAPERING
OFF THIS EVENING.

What Is Intention?

2007-01-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

Several people have asked me for the difference between intention and a resolution. Here is what dicionary.com says:

in·ten·tion [in-ten-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun

1.	an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.

res·o·lu·tion [rez-uh-loo-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun
3.the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

Intention is the mental aspect, where one came to realize how something might transpire or see the path for the end. A resolution is a decision and a often the vocal part of an intention.

To sum up, a resolution is a billboard telling the world what you decided while an intention is a path in your mind.

Which one do you think will win out?

Try it this year.

A New Years Intention vs. A Resolution

2006-12-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

The New Year is a big thing to many cultures across the globe, each with different meanings; in China it's a wish for greater prosperity and success, in the US it's a time to hit the reset and resolve. I don't think I need to state that it's been a crazy year for everyone, but when is it not a crazy year? Over a cup of coffee this morning I was thinking about what I may resolve for 2007 when I decided that using intention as opposed to resolution might just be the key. How many of us resolved for a greater body or to do volunteer work, all with good intentions, but failed to follow through? Maybe we were thinking about it the wrong way and focusing on how powerful intention is might just get us there.

A resolution is a valiant effort, a thought that we want to be different; like spending more time with family, going to the gym and quiting smoking for example. What we miss is that our consciousness, for real and not being a wing nut on this, did not have the same idea planted in it. Resolutions are what our ego mind says it wants to do but to have intentions we are touching then our soul.

No matter your belief system, the power of intention is just that, powerful. Listen to what caused inspiration in the last year, focus on that and listen to yourself.

1. Make a small list of what you intend to do in 2007, not focusing on the outcome (hot body, more books read, etc), a list of what you want to capitalize on in 2007 because in 2006 it gave you inspiration and made you think "Hey, I want to feel more of this".

2. Look at the list and see that you already have desire and it's this desire that hooked you into motivation.

3. Think about each item on the list and again, think about it. You know you hit the right level when your monkey brain or ego steps in and says "You can't do that, you didn't do it last time you thought of it". Let this ego go, it will go away as you focus and think on your intention.

4. When the ego steps in anxiety usually follows as the ego wants to take center stage and it hates when we fail in it's eyes, it will try to keep us from doing what we feel is right, it will try to change our reality or circumstance to make things "right" in it's eyes. Just let that go and keep the intentions in mind.

5. Keep your list and look at it during the year, just think of how you intended things to be not how you wanted them to be.

Hopefully this makes sense to everyone, it has a touch of Buddhism with a belief that will work in all spiritual centers you may be in. Even if Atheist you can't escape the power of intention or attraction. It's what we think that matters most, to just say I want to quit smoking isn't enough, one must intend to ________ (fill in the blank because intending to be healthy may be it or intending to keep your family healthy may actually be it, it's up to you) and then you know you have hit the intention.

For the rest of the year, keep your list and reflect on it; if you meditate, meditate on it, if you pray, pray about it.

Never forget, the ego will try to keep the playing field in it's favor by changing reality or circumstances so that you will not fail or make it so that you think circumstances were that it wasn't possible. Just know that there are many levels to our consciousness and to focus one level deeper, I know that each of you will have all that you intend this year.

Remember to think positive, you will attract positive things.

Namaste to each of you.

Response to a Post: Road With Curves

2006-12-21T14:14:00.000-08:00

I just got a comment on a post that really enjoyed writing and hope to expand on through this blog, the comment was great and I seemed to have so much to say I thought I'd post it and make sure the conversation was out there. Original Post

Jack Failey Writes:

Hi Kris,
I was looking through a bunch of books a couple of years back in the local book store when a particular book caught my eye. It was written by Howard Cutler from a series of conversations with His Holiness The Dalai Lama and was called "The Art of Happiness at Work".

The book was very interesting and piqued my curiosity. How The Dalai Lama viewed people, all people, started me thinking every one could learn from these teachings.

I am always surprised how many people blow it off without even giving a second look.

I am trying to be compassionate to all, I do not always succeed, as long as I keep learning, I will be moving in the right direction.

Do you reccomend any particular book on Buddhism over any other?
I have a few but am open to any that will help with my studies.

12:10 PM

My Response:

Hi Jim, thanks for commenting. I think I have that book by Cutler and I recall thinking; "Hey, there's no difference in happiness at work vs. life". Maybe this is what caught my eye and got me thinking about Buddhism and the workplace. Funny it was one of the first books we both encountered that led us to believe everyone could learn from this.

On compassion, we are not always successful, in fact I just had a moment on a freeway where I felt put out that someone wouldn't let me on the freeway. Well, normally I would have a compassionate feeling and think, "Hey, maybe they just didn't see me or maybe they are thinking about their sick Grandfather and on the way to the hospital". Well, I had a less than compassionate moment as I raced ahead and put my fist in the air (if you can believe it was just a fist). I'm less than happy with my response but as a person who is most of the time compassionate and thoughtful, times happen when we are not. The goal is to just keep on keeping on as they say.

We will never stop learning but we do have the benefit of other's before us like the Dali Lama.

Books, books, books, this is a good question.

Here is what I'm reading now and what I have had resonate with me:

Mindfulness in Plain English - Gunaratana
It's Up to You - The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path
When Things Fall Apart - Pema Chodron

Maybe I should list them all but these three have hit me the most and offered much in what I needed.

Namaste and thanks for reading.

Kris

I liked the opportunity to talk about compassion, when it falters and how we keep learning. The books were a good item to post, they have meant much to me.

Namaste,

Kris

History of Religion From Maps of War

2006-12-19T13:39:00.002-08:00

I'm a big fan of the visuals Maps of War creates, you may remember a previous post on "History of the Middle East Power Changes in Flash". Enjoy this new one:

Too small to see? Click Here.

Road With Curves...Buddhism & Business

2006-12-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

When I started to study Buddhism it was out of a need to find a spiritual practice that added value of spirituality to my life where I previously was lacking (and it's not because I wasn't searching). The belief that a life must be in balance; work, spiritual, personal, is at the bottom-line 100% the truth. One can't define themselves by what they do for work, it is a rather crazy road that will squash your self-worth with each dip in sales. Buddhism to me became the spiritual practice that allowed the best overlap in personal, work and spiritual life. For sure many values inside other spiritual practices offer a road map for how to be a good person but Buddhism offers a cerebral way to practice it's principles daily.

The struggle today is defining how Buddhism and Business mix. Just like any other concept in business that may gain book sales, Buddhism has become a growing topic in the Business book isle of any bookstore. Most of them hit me with a loud "huh" or "duh".

To practice Buddhism in the corporate world which is best to focus on; mindfulness, compassion, right livelihood, meditation practice? The answer is yes to all, for all the same reasons one is in the study of Buddhism to begin with; training the mind in a Buddhist way doesn't stop at the meditation pillow.

But how does one stay mindful and compassionate during the firing of an employee? What if someone you are negotiating with isn't as ethical as you? As just a few examples.

I guess my thought is, the answer isn't in the new popular Business Management book on "If the Buddha Ran a Business", it's in the heart of your practice. Meditation and the benefit of keeping the monkey brain at bay is critical training for moments in the office when the sky appears to fall. Being mindful and compassionate are the basics one must have even if not using Buddhism at work. So you have to fire an employee, the key is remembering that compassion works at several angles; compassion towards the employee and what they now have to go through to find a new job, compassion towards the employee and their false view of the world that may have led to their termination, compassion for the other co-workers and the environment they work in, compassion towards the company (it's a living entity as well).

As for meeting others not as ethical, one could think that being a Buddhist would be a disadvantage but it's the opposite. You've trained your mind you are calm, you are mindful of the situation and you can spot one who lacks ethics. Do you really need to cater to an other's false view of the world that led to their unethical behavior?

Buddhism should be natural in the workplace, but not preached as it may lead to discrimination issues later, Management schools should be teaching these principles as how to behave in the world and not how to behave as a Buddhist. The days of greed are not over but the 80's are and one doesn't have to conduct business with an eye on the throat.

This is a working thought, I've been working on Buddhism for close to 9 years and only now is the time right enough for me to practice, more like, observe how Buddhism has made me a better businesswoman. My thoughts may chance in 6 months when I see move of reality and not my false view.

Be present and mindful
Use compassion

Namaste

No Secret...I love Politics

2006-12-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

Small politics here, nothing National, just a friend who is our county commish.

Steve Stuart, Clark County Commisioner, my friend is a good talker but he also is a solid person.

a few links for those of you who know him to see our star!

Clark County Focus: Steve Stuart Great goatee Steve!!

If anyone has those great youTube ads for Steve's campaign please forward to me, they seem to have vanished!

Help ID This Painter? Dutch?

2006-12-12T11:31:00.000-08:00

So I stayed, a few months ago, at a hotel in the center of Amsterdam and was captivated by this, here is what I know:

Uhh not much
All the other paintings were Dutch
The staff had no clue

Anyone know of this or where I could post to get help?

Ninjai: The Little Ninja you want to take home and smother

2006-12-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted about The Little Ninja, it's a really really really cool flash cartoon of a littel boy Ninja and his bird. It sounds odd but it's really worth watching, supper good animation, great little story. I even think I cried once or twice in there.

One word of caution, it's very graphic although an animation. There is animated blood, a tons of it. But's still a great cartoon.

You will become hooked and will come to love this little blood thirsty ninja.

Dreaming of a Micronation?

2006-12-08T06:45:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have to admit, I have been thinking of starting my own micronation. The master of my own domain, the Queen of my own subjects (do my dogs count?).

Well, you can, just start your own micronation. In fact, to help get the creative juices flowing and the feet a movin' for that abandoned oil rig, why not enter the "Micronations Contest"?

The co-authors (Simon Sellars, John Ryan, and George Dunford) are offering a free copy of Lonely Planet's Micronations, that they authored, to the winner of their contest. I'm not sure of the deadlines but I know it's a 100 word essay describing your micronation.

Who knows, maybe I'll be in the running as well.

Vocklandia!

Business Zen's Top 5 Posts..Reader Favorites

2006-12-05T16:52:00.000-08:00

In the last 30 days, this is what you liked:

Starting with the most popular at the top.

And Some Scary Santa Fun!!

2006-12-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

Heh, were you ever afraid of Santa? Maybe not this afraid:

These kids are scattering like cockroaches, for sure the trauma will last forever.

It's bad when the trauma from last year displays itself in a ceramic Santa. Hers is what this kid is thinking "WTF"!

Not sure if it's Santa or sister that is freaking this one out.

Ok, this Santa would freak me out and he needs either another drink or his methadone hit.

Maybe the kid in this one is thinking, "if I stay perfectly still he won't hurt me".

Happy Holiday's and remember, a Bad Santa can ruin you for life!

Work Stress Pulling You Apart?

2006-12-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Thinking back on my Grandfather who recently passed away has made me think about stress and work. My Grandfather worked his whole career at a job he hated and never changed jobs, it's just what they did then. But today is a new world and workers know that they are a valued commodity just like any other tool a business may have. Sadly, the workforce has become a commodity but at least today's workforce is taken care of in better ways; flex time, better compensation, profit sharing, better raises, coaches at work, and better recognition. It's a tough market and keeping good talent is the key.

But what happens when you are stressd out? It can be a killer, leading to loss of a job or loss or your health. Trying to stay stress free should be the goal of everyone, at it not only comes from work, our daily lives bring stress at faster speeds because our lives move at breakneck speed.

About Human Resources blog recently had a post called Understanding Workplace Stress and it brings you some really good resources.

Tips for managing Stress and Change At Work:

Set goals and allocate time wisely (use good time management and don't bite off more than you can chew.
Only hold meetings if they are productive and meaningful, otherwise they are a waste of your time (but don't tell the meeting organizer it's a waste, this could cause more stress).
You can't be all things to all people, control your time. (difficult if you are good at what you do, everyone wants your help).

And if I could add my own:

Be mindful each second, be present in what you are doing, don't just go through the motions, take your time and be a part of what you are doing in that second.
Follow what Buddha said to keep suffering away from you, it works in business as well, trust me, I live by it:

Use "Right Understanding" to realize that nothing is permanent and will come to an end; be it that stress, that bad day, that upset customer, or that poor manager.
Use "Right Thought" to fill your mind with good intentions, good thoughts, desire to do right by others, desire to not do harm, basically keeping the mind positive and thinking of doing good towards; customers, coworkers, bosses, etc.
Use "Right Speech", my favorite, to make sure what you say is not harmful; don't lie, don't gossip, don't use speech to abuse other's.
Use "Right Action" to do basically the right or good thing at all times; don't destroy another living being (even with words it's a destruction), don't be false, etc.
Use "Right Livelihood" to really know in your mind you are creating something at work that isn't going to harm others. An example of a job that really would not fit will would be one who makes drugs and then gets people hooked. For myself, the following industries would be tough to say, if I worked in them, I do no harm: tobacco, weapons, drugs, etc. But, with bad there is good. For example, a weapons factory may make items that kill people but they also make items that defend our country. Point is, if you feel you are doing something in your job that is causing harm to others, changing that job will make you feel less stress.

Buddha and Buddhism are things we can use in work life, in conjunction with others skills, to keep the stress down in our bodies.

Be kind and do good work.

Marketing & Product Designs I Don't Get. Or Wisky Tango Foxtrot?

2006-12-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

The net offers a great way to get instant info on new things or peoples ideas. The best way to get ideas is through RSS and bogs. One of the more popular blogs, Engaget, posts so many new products and ideas it's hard to keep up, but if you pull out the ones that grab you, this is what you get:

Maxfield intros MAX-IVY MP3 player
Cool MP3 player, it looks pretty sexy, saddly it's made by a small electronics company in Germany. My question is, did they develop a new "Anti-Fingerprint" plastic for that thing? Inagine how bad it will look with scratches and crime scene evidece all over it. Although, being the gadget addicted gal that I am, I would probably buy it. And then leave it behind at a crime and well...design is good but materials need work.

ASUS S6F 11.1-inch laptop, now in pink leather
At first glance... WTF? A Suede laptop, not a cover but a laptop? And I'm still wondering WTF!! It's not a bad idea, selling design in a functional item, it's been done before with great results. But come on, Pink Suede? With a matching mouse? This is a bit F'ed up.

More on this stuff as I do a double take on them. Maybe next time; "Scientists Develop Breathable Rubber" or "Shock Treatment for Those Misbehavin' in the Theatre, Brrrriiiingggg".

Friday Digg Post....Look What the Dog Dugg Up.

2006-12-01T14:07:00.000-08:00

Micronations; Your Next Vacation?

2006-11-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

Micronations.....micronations......hmmmm....Have you eve hear this word before? I hadn't until I read, and was completely captivated by a recent Geoff Manaugh BLDGBLOG article. A micro - nation is just as it implies, a small sovereign nation with it's own leader, money, postal service, and possibly it's own military.

Try these on for size (pun intended):
Republic of Molossia
Sovereign Kingdom of Kemetia
Copeman Empire

Ever hear of these? No? Neither had I but they are places in a recent book published by Lonely Planet.

I am trying these on for size, what do you think?

Republic of Rambling Creek
Sovereign Kingdom of Salmon Creek
Vockler Empire

All I need to do now is get enough of a bank roll to keep the coffers going and defend the castle.

Death, Dying, Buddhism, and my Grandfather

2006-11-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

I realize that my posts have been off topic lately and not in the area of mindfulness in business but isn't this the best part of mindfulness, being in the moment, and although my duties at work are up to snuff and on track, it's OK to be present on something else. Besides, it's my reality not yours.

This post may seem sad and somber but it's really not, it's beautiful and happy, depending on how you see the world. Read through it and decide for yourself, maybe you will get it and maybe not. Again, it's your filter for which you see reality.

My Grandfather, Harry K. Wellman died last Saturday night around midnight and it affected me greatly. Here is the obit I wrote for the newspapers:

Harry K. Wellman
Battle Ground, Washington -- Harry K. Wellman, died November 18th, 2006 after a battle with Leukemia.

Born December 20th, 1926 in Camas, Washington he grew up and lived most of his life in the Vancouver area with his three brothers. Graduating from Washougal High School Harry entered the Army and served in Japan during and after WWII. In 1948 Harry met Doris Vockler and fell in love, resulting in a marriage of 58 and a half years. Harry used the G.I. Bill to attend Lewis & Clark College in Portland to study Business Administration after which he accepted a job at Bemis Company, Inc. where he retired from a career as a Logistics Manager.

Harry Wellman is best known for being a strong handsome gentleman who had many friends and enjoyed what the NW had to offer. Being an avid fisherman and hunter, Harry had a feel for how to catch fish. As well, Golf became a game of passion for Harry that he shared with his family; from Orchard Hills Golf Club to watching the Masters on television.

Harry Wellman was a kind and gentle person who deeply loved his family. This man lived the perfect life because he enjoyed every minute of it his way.

Surviving are his wife, Doris, of Battle Ground, one brother Syd of Vancouver, son Larry Vockler and wife Trisha of Vancouver; and one grandchild Kristian Vockler of Vancouver.

No memorial service will be held, by request of Harry but a gathering of friends and family are welcome to join the Vockler Family at 1-3 PM Saturday; at 4606 NE 125th Circle, Vancouver, WA 98686, for information please email krisvockler@icdcoatings.com or call 360-609-1001

Any Memorials you would like to send please do so in a donation to Kaiser Permanente Hospice of Portland, 2701 NW Vaughn Street, STE 140, Portland Oregon 97210

That's Grandpa's photo above, he is around 18 in this photo. He was a few weeks shy of 80 when he died and it's not that he didn't have a good photo of his later years, this photo sums up my Grandfather; fisherman, handsome, nice smile, kind.

My Grandfather taught me much in my life, like how to be a Gentle person, how to be kind, how to be thoughtful and how to be a good person. He wasn't much on religion but he always felt a person ought to think for themselves on what worked for them. Needless to say we had some great conversations in this area as I was seeking what worked for me.

The whole process of dying in one word was beautiful, and I can't just say that to anyone. It was painful, very painful, and I was tired and scared but after the weekend was over I was able to see how beautiful the process was. This was my first observance of death up close. I will have to say that this was due in part to my family, in part to the wonderful Hospice people, and in part to my understanding of death through Buddhism. Death is unavoidable, no matter how much money you have, pain is unavoidable when we lose that which we are attached to. Beyond the whole discussion of death to a Buddhist, I guess my point is my Grandfather is as close to a natural Buddhist as one could find without having learned it at all. The way he lived his life was in line with living mindful. I guess it made it that much easier to let go, I knew he had lived his life in mindfulness. Minus the killing of forest animals, that wasn't very Buddhist but he ate them so it's all good.

All kidding aside, he was one of the most mindful people I have ever met and his wisdom will be missed greatly.

For you Gramps...

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[From Google Reader] Device to constrain your toddler while you use the toilet

2006-11-21T17:27:00.000-08:00

WTF?

Device to constrain your toddler while you use the toilet Mark Frauenfelder: There are many times I could have used this harness, meant to keep your kid out of trouble while you use a public toilet. It reminds me of a story a friend told me. His wife is a social worker who goes into crack houses to rescue kids. One time, she walked into a decrepit crack house and found a baby duct taped to the wall. Link (Thanks, Tim!) Reader comment: Scott says: This link is to a photoshopped image I created of the infant bathroom restraint device with an included gas mask. I think that the manufacturers of the bathroom infant restraint device should throw in a blindfold or at least a gas mask for the poor kid. Strapping a helpless person to a wall and forcing them to watch some... Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/52209374/device_to_constrain_.html

Another Thanks to the English for a Holiday

2006-11-15T12:41:00.000-08:00

Well, it's that time again where I have to give thanks to our English friends and team members for giving us this upcoming holiday.

My friend Jeff Ross, maybe you remember my last installment "Thanks for the 4^th",:

Thanks George!!!

And without lines, not how nicely straight the lines are.

Who likes Tea anyway?

But now we come upon another holiday inspired by our friends and it's a sensitive and "Thanks" "Giving" kind of holiday; Thanksgiving. Alright, so the holiday was actually created by a crafty magazine editor but there was that first meal with the Indians, actually second (without them we wouldn't have had a second, and then we killed them but that's another story).

If our buddies over the Pond had allowed those darn Separatists to stay in England, not to say they wouldn't have stirred the pot, we would not have such a feast as we do today.

Bye Bye chips and pints, hello scurvy and barfing.

The New World is nice huh? Have you ever been to the NE of the US in summer or winter, hmmmm……

Ducks and goose and an overabundance of corn, from a lucky second year (we almost died the first year had it not been for 91 Indian friends how helped us) became an on-off feast, then became a petition for a real holiday from an Magazine Editor, then thanks to 'Ol Honest Abe it became a holiday, Roosevelt brings in the Turkey and the next to last Thursday of November:

Alacazam!

Thanksgiving: our version of Football and too much food, sweet!!!

But why did we bolt, run, jump ship?

"The people who would come to be known as the Pilgrims were brought together by a common belief in the ideas promoted by Richard Clyfton, parson at All Saints' Parish Church in Babworth, Nottinghamshire, between 1586 and 1605. This congregation held Separatist beliefs comparable to nonconforming movements led by Henry Barrowe, John Greenwood and Robert Browne. Unlike conforming Puritan groups, Separatists held that their differences with the Church of England were irreconcilable and that their worship should be organized independently of the trappings and organization of a central church. ^[1]

William Brewster , a former diplomatic assistant to the Netherlands was living in the Scrooby manor house, serving as postmaster for the village and bailiff to the Archbishop of York. Having been favorably impressed by Clyfton's services, he had begun participating in Separatist services led by John Smyth in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. ^[2] The Separatists had long been controversial. Under the 1559 Act of Uniformity, it was illegal not to attend official Church of England services, with a fine of 12d ( £.05; 2005 equivalent: about £5) ^[3] for each missed Sunday and holy day. The penalties for conducting unofficial services included imprisonment and larger fines. Under the policy of this time, Barrowe and Greenwood were executed for sedition in 1593. "

From Wikipedia

So, we didn't like that we got fined for not going to Church, and "Screw you guys, were taking out bibles and making a home"!

And to think, if we had been able to move to the Netherlands, we'd be sitting here right now with a big fat bong in one hand and some space cakes in the other, now we have the Little Bush and an oversexed evangelical hord who likes meth and little boys. Geeeeee…..Thanks Pilgams.

Thanks England and our English friends, we love you. ;-)

Please don't hate me, in fact, I'll give Thanks that you won't.

Your friend,

Kris

--
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.
- Anais Nin

http://zen-20.blogspot.com My b l o g
www.flickr.com/photos/laboheme_orchid/ My Photos
www.travbuddy.com/laboheme My Travel Log

My First View of Kiev

2006-11-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

I was on a business trip this summer through Eastern Europe and when we arrived to Kiev, Ukraine, this is what we saw. It was huge, massive is more like it. To me it says; "Welcome to Kiev, Now Get the F*&K Out!".

In reality it is amazing and a real sight to see. Actually this is the Motherland WWII Memorial (Rodina Mat, Родина Мать) in Kiev. Mother Motherland is actually the name of several statues around the former Soviet Union that mark the vicotry in WWII.

@ 102 Meters Tall!!

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Miracle? Sign? Are Those Red Tears I See In Her Eyes?

2006-11-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

So, I'm the kind of person who picks up on what most filter out, some say it's because I lack focus and others say I have a gift for seeing past the obvious. So, I'm sitting at my desk today, working away on some wonderful new Marketing Plan (I'm sure) and I glance over to see a face in my Purell hand sanitizer. At first I was taken back and had to look closer, was this really a face. Sure enough, it's the face of a woman, almost in a Post-Communist-Art-Deco style look to her. Maybe it's telling me to do more business in the Ukraine? Or maybe I need to really buy that Lempicka print.

Update - Some are questioning the validity of this and I assure you, it was taken with my camera at my desk, I didn't get the photo off the net.

Amazing no? She keeps my hands clean and gives inspiration greater than she is really worth.
Call me odd but this is strange.

LaBoheme

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[From Google Reader] WSJ: JetBlue did secret pilot fatigue tests without your consent

2006-10-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

This item was sent to you by laboheme.orchid@gmail.com from Google Reader. WSJ: JetBlue did secret pilot fatigue tests without your consent Xeni Jardin: Better Living Through Miles says, Last year, JetBlue conducted experiments on some pilots by bending the rules (with local FAA consent, later recanted). They had their pilots hooked up to monitoring devices and then had them fly 10 to 11 hours a day, more than the legal 8 hours. Passengers were never informed that they were guinea pigs or co-test-pilots. Link to blog post, which references a Wall Street Journal article locked behind a @$%^@ paywall. ... Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/40319869/wsj_jetblue_did_secr.html If you no longer wish to receive message like this, please contact the sender. Try Google Reader today: http://www.google.com/reader/

[From Google Reader] Jack Black's "anti-piracy" PSA

2006-10-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

This item was sent to you by laboheme.orchid@gmail.com from Google Reader. Jack Black's "anti-piracy" PSA Cory Doctorow: Jack Black has produced an hilarious send-up of anti-piracy PSAs as part of the promotion for his upcoming Tenacious D movie. In my dream biopic, I would be played by Jack Black -- he's amazing. Link (Thanks, Jess!) ... Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/40549090/jack_blacks_antipira.html If you no longer wish to receive message like this, please contact the sender. Try Google Reader today: http://www.google.com/reader/

[From Google Reader] Photos of bad and dangerous home improvement hacks

2006-10-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

This item was sent to you by laboheme.orchid@gmail.com from Google Reader. Photos of bad and dangerous home improvement hacks Mark Frauenfelder: This Old House has a couple of photo galleries of slipshod and foolish home improvement projects. I found this rain gutter capped on both ends. I wasn't surprised to find decayed material inside. Gallery 1 | Gallery 2 ... Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/40586122/photos_of_bad_and_da.html If you no longer wish to receive message like this, please contact the sender. Try Google Reader today: http://www.google.com/reader/

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History of Middle East Power Changes in Flash

2006-10-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

Maps of War has created an amazing visual of power changes in the Middle East. Great visual and great tool for getting ones mind around the history of the region. Understanding a culture is the first step...

4P's Of Marketing, Dead?

2006-10-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

Are the 4Ps dead? According to University Business magazine, Don Schultz recently announced at a conference for Higher Ed marketing types that the 4Ps (product, price, promotion, place) are dead because they are product-centric, not customer-centric. Meaning, basically, that the 4Ps are focused on how to sell more stuff and aren't focused on how to make customers happy. Saying the 4Ps are dead is a little extreme, but he makes a good point. The "push" paradigm of companies speaking out to whoever will listen is quickly shifting to the "pull" paradigm of customers who want access to information at their convenience. Actually, I think customers have always felt that way, but until relatively recently they haven't had viable options to accomplish this goal, so they've had to adjust their behavior to match how markete... Source: http://slackermanager.com/2006/10/are-the-4ps-dead.html

4 P's Dead? I don't think so and I'm not even old enough to be a "Good 'Ol Girl". A 4 P's that doesn't have the customer focus in it would be incomplete and any lack of customer consideration in the 4 P's would be a lack of good work by the marketer. The 4 P's is flexible and only as good as the person who uses it.

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No-Fly lists even dumber than suspected

2006-10-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

From Boing Boing:

No-Fly lists even dumber than suspected Cory Doctorow: If you've been paying attention, you already know that the TSA's No-Fly list and secondary screening lists are a joke, but even so, this excellent investigative piece from CBS News will blow your mind. The TSA's lists contain people who are dead. They contain the presidents of foreign countries. They contain incredibly common names like "Robert Johnson." These farcical lists are supposed to secure the skies, and the way they're supposed to do it is by denying air travel to thousands of innocent people (without catching a guilty person smart enough to use a fake ID). Even worse, because the gargantuan lists have to be widely circulated, the CIA won't allow the names of actual terrorist suspects to be added to them -- in other words, the No Fly lists only contain the names of people who aren't under any serious suspicion.

"We got a look at the No Fly List from March. And included on that list were 14 of the 19 September 11th hijackers. How do you explain that?" Kroft asks.
"Well, just because a person has died doesn't necessarily mean that their identity has died. People sometime carry the identities of people who have died," she says.
"What you are saying is that you have no information that this person is alive and poses a threat. It's just a name in the database," Kroft asks.
"In order fort the name to get in the data base there has to be information that they are a known suspected terrorist," Bucella says.
"So you are saying it's just a coincidence that there are 14 names in the computer that match the names of 9/11 terrorists. I mean, the people that are on the list have the same date of births as the people that were killed in the – that died in – the suicide bombers from 9/11. I mean, how do you account for that?" Kroft asks.
Bucella asked how recent this watch list was. When told it was from March, she said, "For some reason the agency might not necessarily want to have taken the name off the list. I can't explain that."
"Also on the list is Francois Genoud, who was a Nazi sympathizer and financier of Arab terrorism. Been dead for ten years," Kroft remarks.

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tsa
travel

Famous Hugs Video

2006-10-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Free Hugs ReUpload

If we spent more time connecting...

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Contributing to the World @ Large

2006-10-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

I had originally found this site by a feed from Presentation Zen: Insipring visuals and they are indeed ispiring and amazing.

If we all just understood each other a bit more.

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Ms. Dewey: The HOT search-engine librarian

2006-10-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

This is freakin' hillarious. The searches come back pretty good but they are hard to read. Great concept, she's easy on the eye and funny. Great concept but it will be better when she is more interactive as opposed to running pre-created loops.

Love it!!

Lifehacker: Ms. Dewey: The saucy search-engine librarian Google? Yahoo? Dogpile? BO-RING! Who says a search engine can't be innovative, entertaining, and easy on the eyes? That's the idea behind Ms. Dewey, a comely, "interactive" librarian who stands around waiting for you to type a search term--and throws out the occasional smart remark if you take too long. Fairly funny stuff, though you'll want to keep the volume low if you're at work; she's pretty chatty. And although nothing she says deserves more than a PG rating, this is definitely a site aimed at grownups (and, let's be honest, male grownups). — Rick Broida Ms. Dewey [via CNET] ...

Source:Lifehacker.com

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Singapore Airlines creating electronic heaven for passengers

2006-10-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Sigh......I wish all flying was like this.....

Singapore Airlines creating electronic heaven for passengers Filed under: Displays, Transportation If you're tired of those frequent flyer miles becoming increasingly worthless, losing your in-flight WiFi, and the outright lack of sugar-coated peanuts, you may want to check out Singapore Airlines. Already the first airline to implement an in-flight IPTV service, SIA is now adding a touch of luxury (and gadgetry) to all three classes within its forthcoming Boeing B777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircrafts. First class customers, as expected, receive the most improved seating arrangements, as they're graced with 23-inch LCDs, complete with USB ports, power outlets, and noise-reducing headsets. Business class guests get their own 15.4-inch LCD, while economy seats rock a 10.6-inch edition. Although higher-end seats can morph into a full-fledged bed, all customers receive access to...

Source: [engadget | Singapore Air]

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How do You Work (Or Roll Depending on Where You Are From)?

2006-10-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

How do I roll, well it changes as new methods and new toys come out. I've tried everything from the Treo (early to new) to the Blackberry (early to what I have now), I've gone Hipster PDA, I've gone from paper organizer to electronic, back to paper and then back to electrontic. How do I roll, it's kind of like being a split personality.

I run a small company but we are global and there is more work to be done than there is time in a day. I start the day at about 6am with a cup of coffee and two newspapers, the Financial Times and the NY Times. Check my Blackberry or home office for urgent messages, I like this time in the morning before going to the office because it's quiet and I feel more productive and relaxed. Once I hit the office it's time to sync the Blackberry, have a quick one-on-one with my assistant and just start wading through the day. I try to not look at email more than twice a day or when I'm away from the office, it keeps the stress down; too many interuptions.

During the day it's all about meetings, delegating, checking up on events and putting out fires. Night is reserved for uninterupted reading and thingking about strategy. My routine may not be that great yet but it's getting better and work is my life. See my previous post about trying to balance.

Speaking of balance and how to roll, check out what I just came across on CNN Money website:

Famous Execs and How They Roll
Start with Vera Wang and hit the Gallery of famous Execs

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Looking @ my del.icio.us Tags and Setting Priorities

2006-10-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

So, I'm looking at the tags I have on this blog, they are my tags in general off del.icio.us and what jumped out at me is; "Business", "Management", etc. Well, yes, this is what I do and what I am, I am a businessperson but as many wise people have said, it's all about balance. My goal is to find more value to bookmark and use in the area of ; "Meditation", "Buddhism", and "antistress".

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TSA Rules as of October 17, 2006 (in case you need them)

2006-10-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

I'm heading overseas on business and since I needed to check the rules I thought I'd post them if you need them.

From the TSA Website:

On Tuesday, September 26, TSA Adjusted the Ban on Liquids, Aerosols and Gels

Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.

At the checkpoint travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

In addition, larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared at the checkpoint for additional screening.

It is unlikely that additional changes in the liquid, aerosol and gel policy will be made in the near future.

This security regimen applies to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.

For more details on how these measures affect you read our questions and answers on the new measures. Security Measure Questions and Answers

/End TSA Website

From what I hear on the news if you do not follow the rules on the exact zip-lock bag you may be turned around to buy one at an airport giftshop. Not confirmed but it was seen on my local evening news, maybe it happend to one guy while the news cameras were there. Better to be safe than sorry.

My question is, does it have to be pink? I like blue better. ;)

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tsa
travel

Need an Estimate of Your Home Value

2006-10-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

Try Zillow! Don't forget it's not perfect but it's pretty good. I even ran it passed a realtor friend of mine and it's pretty close. It's a nice program and easy to use, as well as snoop on the value of your neighbor's homes. There is a feature to update the info on your house but knowing what the taxman does when he sees new value is rates go up and after the last round of increases around here, the less they know the better.

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Tips for Managing the Millenials or Gen Yer's

2006-10-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article and the first of many that may help us reading this blog to understand the differences in our workforce because it is an issue of you don't manage it.

Eleven Tips for Millennial Management

Provide structure. Reports have monthly due dates. Jobs have fairly regular hours. Certain activities are scheduled every day. Meetings have agendas and minutes. Goals are clearly stated and progress is assessed. Define assignments and success factors.

Provide leadership and guidance. Millennials want to look up to you, learn from you, and receive daily feedback from you. They want ÂinÂ on the whole picture and to know the scoop. Plan to spend a lot of time teaching and coaching and be aware of this commitment to millennials when you hire them. They deserve and want your very best investment of time in their success.

Encourage the millennial's self-assuredness, "can-do" attitude, and positive personal self-image. Millennials are ready to take on the world. Their parents told them they can do it - they can. Encourage - don't squash them or contain them.

Take advantage of the millennial's comfort level with teams. Encourage them to join. They are used to working in groups and teams. In contrast to the lone ranger attitude of earlier generations, millennials actually believe a team can accomplish more and better - they've experienced team success. Not just related to age, watch who joins the volleyball match at the company picnic. Millennials gather in groups and play on teams; you can also mentor, coach, and train your millennials as a team.

Listen to the millennial employee. Your millennial employees are used to loving parents who have scheduled their lives around the activities and events of their children. These young adults have ideas and opinions, and don't take kindly to having their thoughts ignored. After all, they had the best listening, most child-centric audience in history.

Millennial employees are up for a challenge and change. Boring is bad. They seek ever-changing tasks within their work. WhatÂs happening next is their mantra. DonÂt bore them, ignore them, or trivialize their contribution.

Millennial employees are multi-taskers on a scale youÂve never seen before. Multiple tasks donÂt phase them.
and answering multiple instant messages Â yes! This is a way of life. In fact, without many different tasks and goals to pursue within the week, the millennials will likely experience boredom.

Take advantage of your millennial employeeÂs computer, cell phone, and electronic literacy Are you a Boomer or even an early Gen-Xer? The electronic capabilities of these employees are amazing. You have a salesman in China? HowÂs the trip going? Old timers call and leave a message in his hotel room. Or, you can have your millennial text message him in his meeting for an immediate response. The world is wide, if not yet deep, for your millennial employees.

Capitalize on the millennialÂs affinity for networking. Not just comfortable with teams and group activities, your millennial employee likes to network around the world electronically. Keep this in mind because they are able to post their resume electronically as well on Web job boards viewed by millions of employers. Sought after employees, they are loyal, but they keep their options open Â always.

Provide a life-work balanced workplace. Your millennial employees are used to cramming their lives with multiple activities. They may play on sports teams, walk for multiple causes, spend time as fans at company sports leagues, and spend lots of time with family and friends. They work hard, but they are not into the sixty hour work weeks defined by the Baby Boomers. Home, family, spending time with the children and families, are priorities. DonÂt lose sight of this. Balance and multiple activities are important to these millennial employees. Ignore this to your peril.

Provide a fun, employee-centered workplace. Millennials want to enjoy their work. They want to enjoy their workplace. They want to make friends in their workplace. Worry if your millennial employees arenÂt laughing, going out with workplace friends for lunch, and helping plan the next company event or committee. Help your long-term employees make room for the millennials.

By Internet research counts, 75,000,000 millennials are preparing to join or joining the workforce. These are desirable employees. Make your millennial employees happy in a fun, yet structured setting, and you are building the foundation for the superior workforce you desire. You are developing the workforce of your future.

As always, when I characterize a group of employees based on age, or any other characteristic, some employees will fit this description; some employees will fit part of this description; some employees will not fit this description. Yet, I believe that, if you heed these tips, you will steer your organization forward, more times than not, with a positive approach to managing your millennial employees.

Want to know why millennial management is important and four more tips about managing millennials? Read more.

[Susan Heathfield | Managing Millenials]

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New Topic - Generation Clashes in the Workplace

2006-10-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

People have written books on it, people make money lecturing about it, but what is some practical advice to managers (maybe they are Generation X) who work with several other Generations (Y, Baby Boomer, A, B, !0, 50)?

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On Networking and Not Being a "d#@chebag".

2006-10-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

For all those belly crawling lizard shark types out there, Networking is for the genuine only:

1. try not to lie or mislead
2. always accept "no" (esp. when people want to be left alone)
3. don't treat your friends like either hookers, agents, or trading cards
4. never be afraid to dislike people who deserve to be disliked
5. accept that a lot of people in life think you're a d#@chebag, then move on

The whole post can be viewed here, it's from www.businessnetworkingadvice.com.

Networking is about helping others succeed and expecting nothing in return, try it, it works.

Repost of the original:

Merlin Mann is the creator of 43 Folders, a family of websites about personal productivity, which includes a collection of simple ways to make your life a little better.

Merlin makes some interesting points -- I particularly appreciated what he said about doing for others while expecting nothing in return... a hard pill for some to swallow, but those that take this idea to heart will be well ahead of the game if you ask me.

Josh: How do you define Business Networking and why do you feel it is important?

Merlin Mann: Hm. That's a complicated one.

I have to admit that I loathe "networking" in what I take to be the conventional sense of the word -- to leverage friends and strangers for whatever intrinsic value _their_ relationships can bring to oneself.

Consequently, I've always tried to avoid becoming one of those horrible little men who pretends to like everyone for the primary purpose of eventually pressing a crisp new business card into each of their palms while making a vague promise about future synergies and meals. That makes my skin crawl.

Having said that, I finally have grown up enough to realize two things.

First -- people who genuinely like one another usually enjoy introducing each other to _other_ people that they like. That's just human nature. It's a healthy habit and it spreads interesting connections and ideas.

Second, the heart of ethical and humane networking means _not_ asking favors of others, but instead frequently doing unrequested propers for _others_. And expecting zilch in return.

So I guess networking, in an ideal world, just means you help your friends meet cool people as you do nice things for them. I can get behind that.

But the grinning bearers of business cards who clearly want to put your soul in a Bell jar on their desk? I can still do without them.

Josh: Can you share one idea that someone could put into practice that would help them to improve their business networking skills?

Merlin Mann: No but I will share 5 very short ones.

1. try not to lie or mislead
2. always accept "no" (esp. when people want to be left alone)
3. don't treat your friends like either hookers, agents, or trading cards
4. never be afraid to dislike people who deserve to be disliked
5. accept that a lot of people in life think you're a d#@chebag, then move on

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Email Spam & Propaganda; Buddweiser Un-True Story

2006-10-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

The following was sent to me over the weekend, somehow I was placed on yet another mass mailing list (blindly I might add) because a family member had me on their list. Both of which I don't want to be on but that is another story. Below is the verbiage, which is crap, I have to say up front. My comments on why it's crap after the story.

The Budweiser Story (not a joke) This is TRUE!

How Budweiser handled those who laughed at those who died on the 11th of September, 2001...Thought you might like to know what happened in a little town north of Bakersfield , California. After you finish reading this, please forward this story on to others so that our nation and people around the world will know about those who laughed when they found out about the tragic events in New York , Pennsylvania , and the Pentagon. On September 11th, a Budweiser employee was making a delivery to a convenience store in a California town named McFarland. He knew of the tragedy that had occurred in New York when he entered the business to find the two Arabs, who owned the business, whooping and hollering to show their approval and support of this treacherous attack. The Budweiser employee went to his truck, called his boss and told him of the very upsetting event! He didn't feel he could be in that store with those horrible people. His boss asked him, "Do you think you could go in there long enough to pull every Budweiser product and item our beverage company sells there? We'll never deliver to them again." The employee walked in, proceeded to pull every single roduct his beverage company provided and left with an incredible grin on his face. He told them never to bother to call for a delivery again. Budweiser happens to be the beer of choice for that community. Just letting you know how Kern County handled this situation.

And Now The Rest Of The Story:
It seems that the Bud driver and the Pepsi man are neighbors. Bud called Pepsi and told him. Pepsi called his boss who told him to pull all Pepsi products as well!!! That would include Frito Lay, etc. Furthermore, word spread and all vendors followed suit! At last report, the store was closed indefinitely. Good old American Passive-Aggressive A$$ Whoopin!
Pass this along, America needs to know that we're all working together!
If you can read this...Thank a teacher!!!! If you are reading it in English....THANK A SOLDIER!!!
God Bless America !!If you do not send this you have no soul

Hopefull this made you as angry as it did it, who apparently isn't a good American because I don't have a hateful bone in my body towards anyone in the country who itsn't; what? White?

First off, this is a joke and not even close to real, here is the link to Snopes on it.

This tale about an avenging Budweiser employee first surfaced on the Internet around 20 September 2001. It is but one of theinnumerable "celebrating arabs" tales that circulated in the wake of the 9/11 attacks that year. This rumor about Arab employees caught celebrating on the 11th as they watched the events of the day unfold has been aimed at countless businesses, both big and small. Invariably, when the authorities check into them, there is never anything to these stories, but the negative effect such slanders have on the businesses named in them is enormous. (Our "Hole in the Middle" page details a few of these rumors, making specific mention of the ones aimed at Dunkin' Donuts and National Liquidators.)

The Budweiser version is every bit as much a fiction as all the rest of this genre: The events described never happened, said Dennis Muleady, marketing director for Advance Beverage of Bakersfield, the Budweiser distributor for the McFarland area. As well, a query to Anheuser-Busch produced the following response:
Please know that we have investigated the matter and have found there is no truth to this story. We've checked extensively on this story in a number of different locations, with wholesalers and retail accounts and there is no report of a customer reacting in such a manner. Therefore, no product has been pulled from any retail account.

Second, this serves as mindless propaganda that does nothing but instill in the average mind that there are bad people lurking at your 7-11. It's wrong on so many fronts it crazy. Based on the number of people who forwarded it back to me after the first time tellls me that either they are mindless in what they send out or they are completely clueless as to what's going on outside their own city.

I've said my peace, now stop sending this crap. Be mindful as opposed to mindless.

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[From Google Reader] Fake beauty, video about transhuman tricks used on models

2006-10-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Just in from Boing Boing:

Dove Campaign for Real Beauty

This whole model-beauty-thing has got to stop, it's a bit out of control.

Fake beauty, video about transhuman tricks used on models Cory Doctorow: The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty (bus-ads with pictures of beautiful, but heavy, or old, or off-average models) has posted a video called Evolution. It depicts an attractive -- but blemished and drab -- model being prepped for a bill-board, from the makeup to the photoshop. It's a very effective short film. Regrettably, it's a stupid Flash video without a pause button, volume control, or fast-forward/rewind buttons. Argh. What a dumb way to do advocacy. Link (via Plasticbag) Update: Here's a Quicktime of the video. Thanks, Michael! ... Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/37441604/fake_beauty_video_ab.html

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[From Google Reader] Create your own search engine with Windows Live Search macros

2006-10-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

Create your own search engine with Windows Live Search macros Windows Live Search has made it extremely easy for you to roll your very own search engine. All you need to do is go through the interactive Search Macro Wizard; enter in a few sites, customize the look of your page, and ka pow! You've got your own search engine. You can also search other people's search engines Windows Live Macros, create as many macros as you want, or go back in and edit what you've already done. — Wendy Boswell Live Search Macros: Create Your Own Search Engine [via Live Search Weblog] ... Source: http://www.lifehacker.com/software/windows-live/create-your-own-search-engine-with-windows-live-search-macros-207618.php If you no longer wish to receive message like this, please contact the sender. Try Google Reader today: http://www.google.com/reader/

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[From Google Reader] Turn Google into your own personal (free) Napster

2006-10-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Turn Google into your own personal (free) Napster Google is good for so many things, among which is searching for all sorts of files, including MP3's. Here's a quick primer: -inurl:(htm|html|php) intitle:"index of" +"last modified" +"parent directory" +description +size +(wma|mp3) "Nirvana" Just substitute the term "Nirvana" for any band or singer you might be looking for, and your search will lead you to open indexes that contain downloadable music files. — Wendy Boswell Turn Google into Napster 2000 [Marc and Angel] ... Source: http://www.lifehacker.com/software/google/turn-google-into-your-own-personal-free-napster-207672.php If you no longer wish to receive message like this, please contact the sender. Try Google Reader today: http://www.google.com/reader/

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Style, style, style....What's your Management Style?

2006-10-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

So, I've been thinking lately "What's my management style and is it working?". What's in a style and are there many of them? I think so, just think back 20 years ago and the style was rather homogeneous but now a Manager can play either to their ability or reinvent themselves to suit the company.

I think posting on what styles are out there would be good, what are your styles?

"Coach"
"Autocrat"
"Prince"
"Buddy"

In today's world, does it pay more to stick to what you do naturally or to shift yourself towards that which gets the most productivity?

What's in a style?

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My TSA Kick...

2006-10-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

And I hope they don't decide that blogging about the TSA is un-TSAian or whatever they call that demiliterized zone between the security line and the "shoes back on" zone. I'm all about safety especially when flying but what does bother me is the "there are no rights in the TSA area" mentality and comments I see in the blogs. Here is my favorite, besides the "TSA Took My Rock".

"25 Minute Detention & 'Kip Hawley is an Idiot' on Your Plastic Bag is a 1st amendment Violation in the TSA Zone" [MKEbound via Flyertalk] "A TSA Agent Stole My Baby"

Post your own TSA Trauma! By adding a comment.

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tsa
travel

[From Google Reader] Photoshop Tip: Create professional HDR images

2006-10-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am a Photography freak as well as an NPR junkie, cool tip, I will post what I get.

Photoshop Tip: Create professional HDR images The Backing Winds weblog details how to create high dynamic range (HDR) photos using Photoshop. HDR images use a rather trendy exposure style that you've certainly seen before, but if you're not sure exactly what HDR images look like, check out the HDR tag on Flickr and you'll be convinced you need to HDR out your whole photo library. You probably don't want to take things that far, but this is a great method for adding some real zip to your images under the right circumstances. — Adam Pash How to Create Professional HDR Images [Backing Winds] ... Source: http://www.lifehacker.com/software/image-editing/photoshop-tip-create-professional-hdr-images-207168.php

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This American Life - Free Podcast

2006-10-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

For all you Ira Glass-This American Life-NPR junkies out there like myself, TAL is now offering the latest episode free in RSS, so subscribe via iTunes and take Ira on that next plane trip.

[TAL | Link]

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TSA confiscates geologist's rock

2006-10-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

It's the TSA that makes life fun in traveling for business. I feel for the guy, the Hebron Gneiss is a nice rock to have.

TSA confiscates geologist's rock Cory Doctorow: TSA goons working "security" at Bradley Int'l Aiport in Hartford, CT, confiscated a geologist's favorite rock, which he was bringing as prop for a speech he was delivering at a learned conference: To enhance my speech, I nestled one of my favorite specimens between my underwear and shirts in a carry-on bag because I never check luggage on business trips. My banded chunk of the Hebron Gneiss (pronounced "nice") resembled a broken slice of layer cake composed of licorice and cream cheese. In retrospect, I suppose I could have put the grapefruit-sized specimen inside my sock, swung it around my head like a mace, charged the cabin and attempted to hijack the flight. This, of course, never occurred to me until the zealous inspector declared my rock a "dual-use" item. ...
Source: [Boing Boing]

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tsa
travel

Praise for Dual Monitors

2006-10-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my Tech guy asked the other day; "Hey I can put another video card in your desktop and give you two monitors side-by-side". I admit, being the Techie I am, I was puzzled. "Ok" I said. I'm so glad I did it! Often there are times when you want to work on two programs at once; say doing a graphic, or keeping email open while writing a letter, or checking out the blogs while reading the Staff Meeting Minutes. Just doing this simple task I have cut down on my "click back and forths" as I call them. Now, I don't advocate parking our Outlook inbox on the second monitor, talk about always being interupted.

Want more info? [Dual Monitor | Wikipedia]

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Is an Office Supposed to be Good Design

2006-10-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

I love design, this is why I love working in the construction industry. I get to see some of the coolest spaces and places around. I hate to toot my own horn but I think we have designed some pretty swank offices that people want to come to each day.

Buuuuuut......

These places take the cake in wow:

+10 Seeeeeeeriously cool worlsplaces [Thanks Lifehacker]

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Color Palette Generator from a Photo

2006-10-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

This is so cool on so many fronts. How many times have you wanted to capture the tones of a photo just so you could decorate a room? Well click on Color Palette Generator and enter the url of a photo, wham bam, there's your colors.

The numbers are in html color code and if you print you may get a different result as printers and monitors not calibrated together won't show the same color. But you could print it and if you like it you can get some wall paint made of it. :)

Thanks Lifehacker Gina for turning me on to this.

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[From Google Reader] Geek to Live: From Bloglines to Google Reader

2006-10-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

This is a great post from Gina Trapani, I agree, I was using Bloglines when Google Reader came out but now they seem to have featured it up and I've switched. :)

Geek to Live: From Bloglines to Google Reader by Gina Trapani Every day I trawl through almost 250 web site feeds in order to write Lifehacker, and for the past 2 years the tool I've used to do that is Bloglines. No other feed reader (not even the one I helped build) had all the features I needed to track what I'd read and what I hadn't across computers and operating systems. That is, until I gave Google Reader another whirl earlier this week. The just-rolled-out Reader upgrades turned the app into an even better product than the much older and more-established Bloglines, and so I've made the switch. Similarities Both Google Reader and Bloglines' user interface are comparable to an email client: two-paned view with folders of feeds that track unread and read items in the left pane. Click on ... Source: http://www.lifehacker.com/software/google-reader/geek-to-live-from-bloglines-to-google-reader-205786.php If you no longer wish to receive message like this, please contact the sender. Try Google Reader today: http://www.google.com/reader/

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Google Maps for the Blackberry

2006-10-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Of all the apps so far I've put on my Blackberry, this is the one I really like; Google Maps. Not only can you enter an address and see the normal Google map but you can see the Sat view as well. Need directions, no problem it works the same as regular Google Maps. Need to check traffic, no problem, just check that option and see where the slow spots are.

Now, add a bluetooth GPS unit and this baby will sing to you.

Just visit www.google.com/gmm
on your mobile web browser

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Google Talk for Blackberry

2006-10-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

And now my friends can find me in more ways than before.

To download, put this link in your Blackberry browswer and away you go!

www.blackberry.com/googletalk

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Opera Browswer for Blackberry

2006-10-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

Blackberry, it's about time they created a usable device that has options like a PocketPC. This is the Opera Mini browser. I appears to work on smart phones as well.

Use your Blackberry browswer to point to: http://mini.opera.com

And Download away!

UPDATE: You may need to do a bit of configuration to get Opera to work.

For T-Moble
Enter wap.voicestream.com in the APN settings
The APN number is under options>advanced options>TCP

Other Services will vary, consult your provider.

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My New Blackberry 8700g Toy

2006-10-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

I'm somewhat of a gear geek, I love new things and I REALLY love new electronics, mostly new cell phones and PDA's. Or even a new laptop if I can. Being in the position I am, Apprentice Head Honcho, I of course can pass my latest down the line and get the new. It's kind of an obsession. Beats sitting around smoking crack all day. So, my newest toy is the Blackberry 8700g and it simply rocks. This coming off an HTC Wizzard/T-Moble MDA purchased overseas so it would be unlocked. Well, that was way too slow. Blackberry was come a long way. Then again, I forgot I had switched back to my RAZR so that I wouldn't be so accessable. Oh well, can't put the toys down. Cool add-on stuff for the Blackberry coming up!

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Guess What?

2006-10-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

Yup, brand new, rigth out of the box, all shiney and smooth, no pitting, no gum stuck to it, no graffiti....

It's the new Business Zen 2.0 blog

*Busienss Items
*WTF Stuff
*Lessons learned the hard way
*Tips that Hacked my Life

Enjoy