Perspective

Bill Nowlin passed away this week.  He was forty one years old and had lived with brain cancer for the past two years.  My last conversation with Bill was humbling and will stay with me for the remainder of my life.

Despite having known Bill for multiple years it turns out that I really didn’t know him well.  After being diagnosed, Bill started a blog so that he could keep friends and family posted as to his treatments and other life stuff.  I subscribed and as I was reading his profile it turns out that we both shared an interest in the books written by Janet Evonovich.  It would have never dawned on me that another guy would find the tales of Stephanie Plum to be of interest but we both did.  I contacted Janet and she was kind enought to sign a book for Bill which I was able to personally deliver to him at home.  Despite ongoing treatments and a recent surgery, Bill was able to spend about ninety minutes with me in his yard talking.

As the conversation progressed and our thoughts turned to our sons, it was me that expressed a level of frustration with something that we had in common.  Bill and I had talked about this topic many times in the past and it was one that was sensitive and emotional for us both.  That day was different.  Instead of getting worked up Bill became visibly calm.  Almost serene.  It stopped me in mid sentence.  What came next was not expected.  Bill summarized our past conversations and asked “with all that has been said about this problem, what have we accomplished?”  He went on to share his experiences with cancer and how it had changed his perspective on the things around him.  On life in general.  It boiled down to focusing on what we had and that it was still good and that despite it not being perfect there was pleasure and satisfation to be found. 

I was uncomfortable with this perspective.  Not because I thought that Bill was wrong but because I had allowed myself to lose perspective.  The problem that had me so worked up was energy spent poorly.  There were solutions in front of me but I choose to focus only on the problem.  Bill afforded me the opportunity to get back on track and I thank him for his perspective. 

While I didn’t know Bill as well as I would have liked, he will remain with me for life.  He is a special man who afforded me the gift of perspective.

Apologies

The public apology seems to be fully in vogue.  With the recent arrests of several (more) NFL players there is the obligatory public apology issued.  Usually this statement is released by the players agent and seems to be a “cover all bases” type of apology.  No heart felt remorse.  No drilling down to a fundamental problem with the need to address.  More like “I’m sorry that I got caught” sentiment.

Has the apology lost it’s value?  Can we offer a better opton in our lives?  Must every problem be managed with an automatic apology that seems more mechanical than real? 

When I read that a person that was caught for a third time has issued an apology (again) I find it hard to believe that they mean what they say or will work to stay out of trouble.  If you don’t mean it, don’t say it.  Actions do speak louder than words.

Talking To Myself

I have not posted a blog for some time now and have come to the conclusion as to why.  Blogging for me is like talking to myself.  Entertaining but not really satisfying.  I am finding similar issues with my Facebook account.  I’m not inclined to offer the bits and pieces or random thoughts such as “can’t wait to leave” or “I’m overly full following dinner”.  I guess this is fine for many but it really doesn’t work for me.

With all this said (to myself) I am not ruling out future posts.  I’m only going to do it when I feel that there is something to say to myself!

Bad Luck For A Price

I have recently had a string of bad luck and it has me wondering about the reviews that appear in Cigar Aficionado.  Specifically, I have been trying cigars that were reviewed in the magazine (buying four versus one to ensure a sampling) and have not been impressed with the results.  From plugged and hard to draw to flavor that is less than other labels that I have come to trust I have not been impressed with what the magazine is rating so highly.

The thought begins………..do the companies pay to get reviewed?  The possibility is daunting in that if a label can flourish based on paid reviews and not on quality then I am buying bad advice.  We want to trust the “published expert” but what is the reality of the review?   I paid a pretty good price to try these rated cigars and came away with doubt. 

For now I am sticking with the labels that have been good to me in the past and it will probably be awhile before I trust the review of a major cigar publication.

Just received shipment of cigars and was able to try the CAO 65th Anniversay for the first time.  It was described as having a “complex flavor profile brimming with smooth, rich notes and a hint of natural sweetness”.  I don’t know about all that being that I’m a pretty simple indivdual but I will say that it was a really nice cigar!  The Ton Ton (5″x50) burned well and did not get hot at any point of the smoke and proved to be of quality in appearance and taste.  Interestingly enough, I tried it out with a friend who prefers the stronger cigars while I tend to be a mild to medium individual and surprisingly enough, the 65th Anniversay proved to be a pleasure for us both!  Seems to be a great choice for the price….

Cigars and Politics

It’s interesting how random topics as presented by the media have a way of running in cycles.  Following the splash made by the California governor for reportedly smoking a Cuban cigar, there have been multiple stories about life on the island and the degree of poverty that is common for the majority of its inhabitants.  While I was not aware of the state subsidy that is provided to each Cuban it appears that it does little to improve their daily way of life.  Focus was made on the lack of fast food in Cuba (I’m not sure that that is a bad thing) and that the state run stores where you can buy hot dogs and a few other items is typically out of financial reach for most.  In all this, a new and enterprising industry has sprung up and has quickly become an popular outlet for city dwelling Cubans.  Specifically, people are making various foods and more specifically, pizza in their homes and are selling it on demand to passers by.  In many cases the food is prepared in dwellings that are above street level and are lowered to the buyer in small baskets.  Payment is made prior to receiving the food by using the same basket.  This seems to be an resourceful and enterprising way for the to fill a void in a struggling economy and is indicative of the need to allow this country to get back on track.

 When asked why there is a trade embargo with Cuba, I’m sure that the majority of Americans would be unable to answer.  Times have changed, and probably the laws should also.  I am in agreement with Ink Slinger who was kind enough to point out that the Cuban cigars are no better than other products that are available here in the United States and that we probably are looking at this as “forbidden fruit”.  Still it’s interesting that the simple act of one man smoking a Cuban cigar can make such a media impact in all the wrong ways.  Perhaps it would be better to forget about the smoke and take a long look in the mirror……….

Cigars and Politics

Ten days ago it was reported by the media that Arnold Schwartzenegger was seen smoking a cigar with links to Cuba.  At the time he was in Canada and there was no positive proof that the cigar was Cuban.  In fact an aide to the governor said that an answer was impossible to get in that the cigar had already been smoked!  In the scheme of things I have to wonder what the impact of Mr. Schwartzenegger smoking a cigar from Cuba has on the world today.  While there is the standing law that states that any American violating trade regulations/ sanctions can serve time in jail, is it a violation to smoke a Cuban cigar while in Canada where they are legal? 

Even more to the point, does this reported activity bring to bear a more interesting question such as the sanctions against Cuba which were imposed in another era and under different circumstances?  The sale of Cuban cigars in other parts of the world such as Europe and Mexico has done little to positively affect the Cuban economy and certainly done little for the overall politcal health of that country.  With the passage of time do the sanctions really amount to much and does the actions of a U.S. citizen as related to a cigar really warrant the ripple through the media?  Probably not.

On an additional note, with the reported number of counterfeit Cuban cigars in the world market coupled with the availability of quality products such as the CAO brand that is manufactured in Central America why make a fuss over a brand that is illegal?  I have to believe that if the Cuban products were available here in the U.S. that they would have minimal impact in the long run. For the price, quality and consistency my vote stays with CAO! 

As for the governor, his reported actions did little to promote an illegal product and instead should have drawn the media into a discussion over the aging sanctions and their validity in the world today.  Point missed………….

Interestingly enough staffing firms have in an attempt to distinguish themselves created solutions to any number of topics. Change is good when kept in perspective. Years ago it was not uncommon for sales people to “distinguish” themselves by telling perspective clients that they performed reference checks. Then it became background investigations and so on and so on…………..All to often the process that is entailed in placing a candidate has become so involved that it can be restrictive in getting the right person in a timely and cost effective fashion. The industry should as you suggest, look at what is best as a solution and build performance based reputations versus unsustainable promises.

While the staffing industry is caught in this race to build bigger solutions, perhaps we should look at what one of my larger clients views as significant concern is the predicted shortage of degreed candidates to fill technical jobs in the future. No longer is the client concerned about the cost. Opening off-shore locations and providing U.S. based management to direct efforts will be costly but applicable. What does this do to the staffing industry model? What solutions can be provided to ensure longevity? Will the industry shift from a large population of companies to a smaller number that are international in nature and can financially afford to play in this space? Time will tell what path the staffing industry takes but it certainly is one that runs the risk of building solutions that don’t always offer the right person at an appropriate price.