Entries Tagged 'personal' ↓

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My computer died this morning. Twice. It’s only 9:51 as I start this post.

In the hour or so that I was working on it peacefully, I put a tremendous amount of effort into what I was doing, only to lose it all when the temporary cache bit the big one for reasons unknown. All I know, after contacting Apple for the third time in six days, is that even though my computer is under warranty and has been replaced already, I’m stuck with an issue they don’t know how to fix.

</endbitch>

HOF NOMS

ok - So I’ve had a few years of discussions with friends about whether or not Jim Ed Rice belongs in the Hall of Fame. My take, still, is that he does not. Pre-steroid era, threatening and incredibly powerful as he was, Jim Rice is not a hall of fame player.

My recent feeling about the voting process for the BBWA is that even though we don’t like it, it’s still probably the most fair personal recognition system around. If you want to put up a case for changing the system, doing only statistical analysis on a Bill James-induced computer model, then go for it. It won’t give you a fair and accurate picture. Do you know why? Because the game of baseball is not only played with physical prowess; it’s played mentally, just like any other strategy-laden game.

I wish Jim Rice the best of luck tomorrow. The deal is, if he gets a phone call in the morning from the HOF (around 8 AM, I’m told), then he’ll be in. If he is still sitting around at lunch waiting for the caller id to show him some love, he’s out of luck.

MANNY Retardirez

If I were in a situation where I had a guaranteed deal for roughly 22.5 Million per year for two years, plus a team option of even more money… I’d … well, I’d shit myself.

Manny has twice rejected a salary of above $20Million dollars this year, most likely thanks to his inability to understand the financial components of a down economy, and otherwise thanks to his ridiculous wanna-be baseball player agent, West-Side Scottie B.

Manny Ramirez will not have a problem getting a job, and Scott will look like a genius when all is said and done. He’ll either go back to LA or go up north to put some fans into the seats of the incredibly beautiful SF Giants stadium (name withheld due to my frustration with name-sponsoring company).

RECLAMATION NATION

Is it Duquette-ish to have as many retreads coming into Boston on those “high-risk, high-reward” deals? I believe so. Even though many would not doubt the leadership in the front office to previous success (see: 2004, 2007), I can’t stand loading up on the one-year, injury crew. I see the team starting out a little weak and JUST missing the wild card by 3 games. I’ll bring this back into the fold at the end of the year if I’m right. If I’m not, I’ll be happy to ignore it. Please feel free to join me in my blissful ignorance.

Happy Sunday. I’m going out to clear 7.5″ of freshly-fallen snow. I can’t wait! (This is me being positive about the record number of times I have to shovel before the calendar hits January 15).

I am, once again, truly lucky to be published on the now decade-long running online publication “A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites”.

The personal side to all of this is that I get to strut my stuff and have some interaction with like-minded folks who are into what I do. It’s a wonderful outlet that is completely and entirely separate from the daily riggers of running a small business.

My side project for almost two years has been to get a book published. I’ve been less lucky on that front. Many, many discussions with two publishers have led to creative license questions and missing fulfillment guarantees, and I’m now thinking of switching gears and doing the self-publish route. More money per book, less marketing power from an imprint. Not sure if I want that. I also like the cache of someone printing it on my behalf.

So! One last shot: If you know of an editor or publisher who would love to work with someone incredibly diverse and talented (sales pitch), hit me up with a contact.

Thanks!

Good or bad, down economic climates or not, I am thankful to be alive. Doesn’t that say it all?

Relationships, kid issues, my dog’s inability to have his ear heal without some sort of hurculean effort. It doesn’t really matter. Not as long as I live and breathe.

Some people don’t want to live. I feel for them. I don’t feel bad, I just feel for them. It must be hell to not want to see what happens next. What if I didn’t care what happens next? I’d be a shell of a man.

During the next year I’m sure I’ll face my set of challenges. My business will succeed, but what if it’s rough? My children will struggle, but they’ll make it through okay. I have faith.

I’m thankful for many, many things including people who shine a light on the forgotten parts of my soul. You know who you are.

Nothing, however, makes me more thankful than to wake up and know that I’m not missing something. I want to learn, and teach. I want to love. I want to want. I want to see and be seen. I want to embrace and be embraced.

Above all, I want to be thankful. For everything.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Alright, everyone. It seemed like a season to remember, and it was. It seemed like the Sox were over matched, and they were.

The 2008 season was great and I think there are a ton of roster items to be addressed, but that’ll happen during the winter months and we’ll sit in shock and awe as some trades are made and new faces join the 2009 club.

Personally speaking…

I’m psyched and honored, once again, to be writing an article for A List Apart. This time, I’ve chosen to write an article surrounding information architecture. Don’t know what that is? Join me on December 2nd for a lesson in how you should pay attention to these sets of tasks when you go to build or design your next Web site or application.

Today

Today was an incredible day.

I love Swiss and bacon tied into an omelet.

For the first time in my life I walked down Charles Street in Beacon Hill.

For the first time in my life I walked in the Public Garden and actually sat down.

I spoke to an old friend and it made me think.

The world does not revolve around me, but there are pieces that are directly influenced by my decisions. Knowing this does not make for better decisions.

I’d like to go back and talk to the person who stole the parking space while the car was pulled over, patiently waiting to gain access.

Today I finished a project that had been hanging over my head like a lead balloon. I’m glad it’s over, and I learned something from the process.

Today, I am a heart man. Tomorrow will not change that fact.

Today, I will sleep.

——————–

I hate to bore people, including myself. It’s time for me to chill out on this thing and not worry about the Sox as much. I need to stop worrying if Jason Varitek’s 0-10 or Papi’s lack of power in the past three weeks has anything to do with what will come of life in Boston.

On a personal note, I’ll still be writing. A lot. I’m working on a book. I have a new article coming out and I have a few other items I need to catalog.

SO!

I’m transforming this blog into a much more broad endeavor. I’ll use this for both personal and work, and once in a while I’ll actually write something about the Fenway 9.

I will, however, always have a Red Sox Soul…