Competitive Nature vs. Tactfulness

The structure of my learning experiences in the past to force me to describe my decisions in detail, has lead to an interesting negative externality. In high stress, quick decision situations, I lose my ability to internalize my decision process and word vomit my rational.

Example from real life: "We need are best players on the field, so put in..." What I failed to realize in this scenario is 1) the feelings of the people that I did not list (though I listed 3 and left the other 8 positions to be filled accordingly around them) & 2) what changes had been made, since the beginning of the game that may ineffectively leave players on the sideline that I wanted in the game. Would I change this decision? No. Would I handle it better had I not been trying to get my point across in a short amount of time? Yes.

My leadership skills outside of these small situations are very strong. But, I wonder sometimes how much these small situations may detract from my ability overall? Apologies only go so far to repair this. Do a lot of people run into the same issue, or is it my need to show my rational, just that--my need?

Music Video Friday: Stand By R.E.M.

I have a weekly feature at my personal blog (shameless self promotion? yes please!) where I highlight whatever random some pops into my head. Usually I'll type words of somesuch or another to frame the video. I've decided, as a way to keep content coming on this community site, to cross-post it here every Friday as well. Enjoy, peeps!

I'm certain that you've heard the news: R.E.M. is calling it quits after over 30 years of music making. I wouldn't call myself a dedicated fan, but I am a fan. I have all of their albums. I enjoy the vast majority of the music they've made. While their post New Adventures in Hi-Fi music was still good, the band called "R.E.M." was over when Bill Berry left. Michael, Peter, and Mike carried on for five more solid albums and 15 more solid years as something that very closely resembled "R.E.M." but not quite.

It's hard for me to pick out just one song to showcase. There are just so many. But the one I've got for you today is up in my Top 10 from the band. It's a bouncy tune with an important message about becoming actively involved "in the place where you live". It's up to you to decide to what degree and in what ways you will be.

And also, dance steps. We could all use a little more exercise, right?

Now face North.

A Lesson In How Stoopid We Iz

I was listening to the 90's station on satellite radio on my way home last night when C+C Music Factory came on. It was a song that I had almost completely forgotten about titled "Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)". About one minute into it, the thought that had been sitting quietly in the back of my head jumped up front in a very loud fashion.

HEY! YOU'VE HEARD THIS SONG BEFORE!, it shouted at me.

Of course I have. It's from 1990., I calmly replied.

NO, YOU MORON! YOU'VE HEARD THIS SONG BEFORE AS A DIFFERENT SONG!, it retorted.

And you know what, that voice was right. I had heard this song before as a different song. From the same musical group.

This isn't just a case of lazy songwriting. This is a case of lazy, we-think-you-are-all-clueless-consumer-roboticons songwriting. And you know what? They were right. "Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)" was the second single from their debut album and it peaked at Number 3 on the US pop charts. It didn't do as well as the song from which it was blatantly ripped. But Number 3 as the second single of the same song is a pretty damned good con.

C+C Music Factory skooled us, kids. And they skooled us well.

Here is the music video for "Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)":



And here is the lead-off single they cannibalized:



Same. Mother. F*cking. Song.

Damn.

Rebirth: The Knowledgemonger

The Knowledgemonger Rises Again


After a long stint of writer's block and half-hearted writings, I have resurfaced to tackle multiple topics in multiple fields, as I have been known to do. My thirst has returned and I my friends will be contributing again to the 100MC.

Now, if I could get my cohorts to do the same. An idea or 2, re-share your postings from your other blogs and make this a great link to the brightest minds in DC. Yeah, I said it. I don't think that collectively there is a better group for presenting ideas and tackling them from every angle. I had and have a vision for this blog and I want to make it whole, again. So, here I am going to do what I do best: talk common sense about life, social liberties, politics, economics, and above all the pursuit of happiness. Bliss, my friends is where it is at.

Too long, have I personally sat back and let some things happen without being an active participant. That was a great mistake as it sapped my happiness and took me off of the track to those wondrous things that I so love. And this, blogging with friends, intellectually interacting and enjoying the best things in life will not wait. So, get on the horse and ride with me once more and lets make something beautiful. It is what we do best. I am inviting a couple more collaborators and I think you should as well. Let's make this thing interesting.

I WILL post at least 3 times a week. Can you keep up? And if I don't call me out on it. Isn't that where our bond was?