Make it home on time, and change the world.

Usually these entries deal with travel in some form or another, but not this time. After writing the entry about my trip to see Bill Strickland, I started thinking about some bigger picture stuff. Bill's model seems to be based on treating others with respect. That is pretty basic, huh?

I am a dreamer, and want to be a "world-changer". But I can't even show up on time for dinner with my wife and kids! With the political discussion and conventions happening right now, I am somewhat discouraged. I still hear, see and smell the same stuff coming out of Washington. I might not be able to impact a world leader, but if I can figure out how to make it home for dinner on time, and do what I say I'm going to do--and lead by example, then maybe I have some hope.

What the heck is going on? We need to get back to the basics! We need to be on time. We need to work on our marriages. We need to instill basic values in our children. We need to take care of our homes. We need to be good to our neighbors. We need to stand for who we are. We need to be thankful. We need to stand for truth. We need to get over ourselves, refocus and get back to treating one another with graciousness, kindness and caring--not because there is a buck attached, but because it is the right thing to do.

If we all could make it home for dinner on time...mow our own grass, instill values in our children, be good to one another, and do what we say...Maybe together we can make a difference. And maybe that difference will come in the form of new leadership choices for the future--not just political leaders, but leaders in the home, in business, in the church, in the courthouse, in the statehouse. Don't get me wrong, I am not doom and gloom with the leadership choices we have, I just think things have gotten too complicated and we are missing the point. If the objective is to raise millions of dollars and somehow spend more than we raise--I think we have that figured out. But if the objective is make something better than we found it, I think we have some work to do.

Pay attention, get involved, take a stand, place your vote, but if nothing else...just make it home on time for dinner.

Making the Impossible Possible (Pittsburgh)

The title of this entry is a rip-off from Bill Strickland's new book. (I haven't read it yet but I will pick up a copy today.) I first saw this guy in Boston, he was the keynote speaker at the HOW Design Conference and he delivered a very inspirational message. He wanted to change the world, and over the past 40 years he has.

I was so impressed by this guy that I thought I would give him a call and request a meeting and a tour of his facilities. Wow! Never thought that would work, but it did. On Tuesday, my friend Mark Burdette and I traveled to Pittsburgh, met Bill and toured the facility. This guy is not just a visionary, but he has brought vision to life and has developed a proven model for positive social change. His model is first class, his financial backing is first class, his staff is first class, and his facilities are first class! I just hope some of his mojo, wisdom, or excess vision rubbed off on me while I was there.

This guy is the bomb, the real deal. One of Bill's beliefs is- "do one hip thing every day". Bill has surrounded himself with art, jazz and photography and believes the arts are the gateway to the human imagination. One of the products of Bill's work is MCG Jazz, a studio and concert facility that have produced over 1200 concerts and won multiple Grammy Awards.

I pulled a lot of this stuff off of Bill's brochure, but you have to make a point to check him out on your own:

www.manchesterbidwell.org
www.manchesterguild.org
www.mcgjazz.org

A dog, a jeep, a blog, and a Facebook page

I thought having kids would be enough, but somehow we had to get a dog too. I recently downgraded my slick, black, "old man" car with leather and all the trimmings to a rag-top Jeep (midlife crisis) Rubicon. Earlier this year I started a blog to share my travels, thoughts and experiences with really-bored friends, colleagues, and family members. And now...I have a Facebook page! In fact, I think everyone in the office has a Facebook page.

If I start eating tofu or sushi...watch out!

Copper Mining Research - Tucson

Today I visited a client and learned the ins and outs of their office, and spent a good bit of time learning about copper mining. After learning that a tire on a dump truck that carries 300,000 tons of dirt cost over $40,000 per tire, and each truck has 6 tires that need replaced twice a year--I am going to take the next couple of days to brainstorm how to change careers. LOL

Getting Priorities Straight (Bahamas)

Everyone has to have priorities. And a couple weeks ago I blew-off work and spent some great time with my biggest priorities. Just about everyone in my extended family spent time on a cruise together, and it was awesome. (Special thanks to the guys in my office who allow me to vacation worry-free.)

This trip to the Bahamas was a true blessing, and a real blast! I often spread myself too thin, and this time together with my wife and kids was just what the doctor ordered. I often struggle with prioritizing my time with family, church, work, recreation, friends, etc. I like to commit to everything, which often leads to overbooking, and under-delivering.

I am sure there is more struggle to be had--but what doesn't kill you, will hopefully make you better. (If it does kill me please note that I had a blast in the Bahamas with my most important clients, my family. Also, Chriss and Tonya at National Travel our Godsends! If you're ever in a jam and need to swim with Dolphins - they can work some good travel mojo!)

Me with my boss and her assistants—in the Bahamas

Over the top! Banff Springs, Canada

Wow! God is great! Banff is incredible. I'm attending a business development workshop for creatives, which is in an old castle in the resort at Banff Springs. Truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen (stay tuned for the pictures).

In effort to strike a better balance...I brought my wife. Traveling with your spouse (and without kids-in-tow) is pretty cool. I highly recommend it! Each year the two of us try to take 4 or 5 days and travel abroad. (Out of 365 days a year, that doesn't sound like too much balance.) Over the past several years we have visited, the crystal blue waters of St. Lucia, a volcano in Costa Rica, and now a castle surrounded by snow-capped peaks in the Canadian Rockies! Next week we are joining the entire Blackwell family (minus a couple) for a cruise to the Bahamas.

My cup overflows. I believe that creativity is born from life and the experiences it provides us. On my worst day I have been truly blessed. It's not about me, and it's truly over the top!

How Design Conference - Boston

The How Design Conference was a blast! A couple days after my return from Oslo, I was able attend the How Design Conference in Boston with my entire team. From a conference standpoint it was about 50-50, but overall it was a great team building and learning experience.

If you haven't heard of Bill Stewart from Pittsburgh you should "google" him. He is an awesome visionary!

Game 7 Courtside: Boston v. Cleveland!

I guess it was a true blessing, but I was fortunate to get a court-side ticket for game 7 in Boston. It was a once in a life-time opportunity and I took it! (And I would do it again in a heartbeat - Stub-hub is a Godsend!)

Here are some pics from the trip: