Cat Sense

By John Bradshaw.

Cat's and people have a very complex relationship. Human needs have shaped cat evolution, yet they are not yet fully domesticated.

The book goes into cat behavior in depth an history. It doesn't explain as much as I had hoped, but it is very honest. Sometime times the right answer is "I don't know that but think about this…"

Daily Rituals: How Artists Work

Successful artists find a way to work. It maybe idiosyncratic, weird or unconventional, but they find a way to work every day. Everything else is colorful and interesting detail.

"Bargain Fever-- How to Shop in a Discounted World" ;

By Mark Ellwood.

This is not a manual of how to shop in a discounted world. It's more about the history, business and thought put into bargaining and sales-- coupons, discount sales, liquidations, sample sales. Non the less, it's interesting read. 

I didn't realize how much of a disadvantage I'm at when I go shopping. I may think I'm a great bargain hunter, but that "bargain hunter" experience is all thought out and well planned. I get to feel proud about negotiating a strong bargain. The company get's my money in a well controlled, well planned way.

Coupons are complicated. Retailers don't process coupons given to them by customers. The retailers send the coupons off to processing companies (Mostly staffed by illegal immigrants) who sort and remail the coupons to manufactures for redemption. The manufactures don't process the coupons. They hire another processing company (also staffed by immigrants) a deal with the redemption checks. Still other companies design and market the coupons.

There are a few structural problems with the book. I think the author wrote many essays about different aspects of bargaining and pricing, and then hastily edited them together. The context switches between and back to different topics can be confusing.

Still, a very interesting read.

Kon-Tiki

KonTiki is a movie about a team of people who sailed 5000 miles on a raft from Peru to a Polynesian island of Raroia. The leader, Thor Heyerdahl, wanted to prove that it was possible for Polynesia to have been settled by drifters from South America. So the raft was built with nothing more advanced than what South American's had 1500 years ago-- balsa wood logs roped together, plus a thatched hut.

I loved the movie. After we finished watching RO said "You're not allowed to do that."

I asked "Why not?"

He responded "You're not allowed to do that."

I would love to go on some kind of extreme expedition. I've thought about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, or the Appalachian trail. Maybe a long distance boat (or raft) trip instead.

Cell phones

I just renewed my vehicle tabs online from my cellphone. I was waiting for lunch, so I thought I'd try it out. The state licensing website is very good, optimized for cell phones. I'm surprised how easy it was.

This makes me more worried about the future of the PC. Cell phones may not have nice big screens, or great keyboards, but they are there in your pocket when you need them. PCs can't beat that. Over time, app and website authors will update there sites to work well on phones.

Will pcs go the way of the full sized van, or three quarter ton truck? Useful, but not in every ones home.

Egonomics

By David Marcum  & Steven Smith

I must read this one again in a year. It has a lot of good point and will take a rereading to get full value from it…

This book is about the ego, and it's affect on your life. Your ego must be in balance, too much and you go on the war path for every perceived slight. You don't look at the facts. Too little and you don't collaborate, participate.

Signs of unhealthy ego…

Being comparative, Comparing is healthy. Judging youself against the Jones' is not. Not everyone is your rival.

Being Defensive. Defending an idea is healthy. Defending and idea as a proxy for defending yourself is not.

Showcasing brilliance. Ideas should stand on there own, not be pushed forward because you are brilliant.

Seeking Acceptance. The truth is the truth, wither it is accepted or not.

Healthy ego…

Humility with intensity and intent

Curiosity

Veracity

The book talks about the concept of treating people with Unconditional Positive Regard-- the idea that everyone is worthy of respect and capable of contribution, even when they don't particularly act that way or feel that way about themselves. Stress on the "Unconditional." UPR is not about Positive Regard until someone proves they don't deserve it. UPR is Unconditional.

UPR reminds me of "Leadership and Self Deception." and treating someone outside the box. To me, UPR was a more clear statement of what "Leadership and Self Deception" is trying to communicate.

Channel Intensity from identity to ideas.

DPA-- Diffuse Physiological Arousal-- when someone accidentally pushes one of our buttons, and we feel we are under attack. This is very hard to avoid. As a speaker, you have to be aware that your speech and send someone into DPA. Use open statements. Focus on ideas.  As a listener you must be aware that you can be sent into DPA with an unintentional comment. The solution is to channel intensity from identity to ideas.

Don't be afraid of saying what you think (But avoid DPA)
Establish permission
Make your intent clear
be candid

 

Notes on Maui

We bought all our beach supplies from ABC-- snorkles, towels, umbrella, cooler pack. Tommy Bahama sells back-pack beach-chairs with a built in cooler. They also sell umbrella's. Next time consider buying this online and shipping it to the hotel.

The restaurant Cafe O'lei was wonderful.