The Greatness of Accepting Death

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."--Steve Jobs (Stanford Commencement Speech 2005)


I think, this is a profound statement in the way that it lends insight into how highly successful individuals live their lives. If you want to be successful, eliminate the barriers to success: embarrassment, pride, external expectations and fear of failure. Compact, real, possible.

The Hitler Meme

This one is by far my favorite of the "Hitler" series, so I'm posting it everywhere!

Covers...

So, why is it that I only discovered this cover like 2 weeks ago?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyvFhrDzLfY

Life at 34: A Retrospective of Sorts

Be happy. If you want to do something... do it.
Play. And do it everyday. It keeps you smiling.
Smile. And smile. And smile some more.
Love. It's easy. Give openly and willingly to those you care about.
Forgive. You'll feel so much better when you do.
Trust. But only a few.
Have heart. You aren't the only one that feels the way you feel at any moment.
Cry. If you hurt. You're human, it's allowed.
Make friends. Hold them close and cherish the times you spend with them.
Call your mother. She'll appreciate it. Especially, if it is just to say, "I love you."
Be present. I can't stress this enough. Put the phone down during dinner.
Be happy. Be alive.

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.