Some say that boy ain't quite right ...

I’ve decided that I may not remember all of the things I want to pass on to my kids, so it was best to at least write them down. Here is as good as any other place. Part 3 in the series …

• Learn to take a joke. Learn to tell one as well.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses. No one can catch you off guard by pointing one out and you never know when you will be asked for them in an interview.
• Like something because you genuinely like it, not because your friends do. That’s how you end up listening to New Age music or becoming a Republican.
• Smoking is a terrible, filthy and expensive habit. Don’t do it. Seriously.
• If you’re going to sing along with a song, either learn the words correctly or do it when you’re by yourself. For some reason, people get offended if you don’t get the words right, no matter how hard it is to hear the actual lyrics.
• Everyone has dirty or naughty thoughts. There’s always the “right” time, the “right” place and the “right” person to share them with. Keep in mind that for best results to have all three of those right before sharing.
• When no one is looking, dance to a song in your head.
• Batting cages relieve a lot of stress if you imagine the source of your stress as the ball you’re hitting.
• Just because a book, song, movie, etc. is considered “a classic” it doesn’t mean you have to automatically like it. Doesn’t hurt to know what “the classics” are though.
• Never enter into a debate without preparing first. Opinions become stronger arguments when you have facts and reasoning on your side.
• Ideas can grow and change when you bounce them off other people. Don’t keep them to yourself.
• Always bring a notepad and pen to a meeting.
• Try to have a good story to tell your grand kids on how you met the love of your life.
• Appreciate what you have and don’t stress over what you don’t have.
• Superstitions don’t have any power if you don’t believe in them.
• Charm is an under appreciated talent. Not everyone can be naturally charming and some people try too hard to fake it.
• No one says you have to wait until you’re old or dying to cross things off your Bucket List.
• Sometimes your words will be all you have. Once in a while they may be not enough. If you’ve learned to use them wisely, they will serve you well.
• Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Trust is hard enough to earn the first time, let alone more often than that.
• Don’t underestimate the value of just being there for someone and listening to them when they need it. Don’t judge or give advice, just listen.

I’ve decided that I may not remember all of the things I want to pass on to my kids, so it was best to at least write them down. Here is as good as any other place. This is another part in the series.

• Never be afraid to come to us with anything. No matter what it is or how old you are.
• If the grass looks greener on the other side, be sure to look for the can of green paint.
• If you have a question, ask it. Guaranteed at least one other person is thinking about the same question and is waiting for someone else to ask it.
• Reality TV is just as scripted as a sitcom or drama. They just make up the details and dialogue as they go along.
• You’ll make lots of friends, but they’ll really be more like acquaintances. Not all of these people will really like you or can really be trusted. Still they will fill a purpose for you or you for them. This is how the world works.
• Never underestimate the power of an ‘inner circle’.
• There is no such thing as ‘just the tip’. Ever. Not in money, not in icebergs, not in intercourse.
• Never loan money to family. If you expect or need to get that money back at some point, then you shouldn’t be giving it out. If they can pay it back, they will, without you asking. Or they shouldn’t be borrowing it.
• Learn to use your hands. They really are a useful tool. Especially in cooking.
• Someone who argues just to cause trouble is never going to see your point. Don’t argue with them or they win automatically.
• Anything you do or say has a certain permanence nowadays. Not everything has to be shared with everyone and once something is out there, it may not be able to be taken back.
• Read everything for yourself. You won’t see things through other people’s eyes and you’ll be better off for the experience. Some books are great, some are not so much — even if they are so called classics. It’s best to read them all and decide for yourself.
• Speaking of books, remember that the point of a book is to tell a good story — a good thing to remember no matter what book you are reading. Even autobiographies and the Bible.
• Everyone has problems. We’re all human. Yes, especially people with money. It’s how you handle those problems that matters.
• Mind your own house before paying attention to what others are doing.

Had this idea rolling around for a while and given that it is Father’s Day, what better time than to kick this off.

I’ve learned some things from life and I’d like to share these things with my kids, but unfortunately they are too young to really understand or grasp them. By the time they get older, I imagine I will forget some of these things (or perhaps I’ll get old and cranky so the views may change and become less relevant). So, I’ve decided to list them and here is as good as place as any. This is the first of likely multiple posts on the topic … and away we go.

• Speak your mind so that people know where they stand with you. However, keep in mind how you say something may be more offensive than the actual message you are trying to convey.
• Always keep a sense of humor. Especially when things aren’t going well. It will help with your sanity.
• Don’t care too much about what others think. It only leads to stress you don’t need.
• People who ask silly questions give you an open license to mess with them. Nothing harmful mind you, but enough to entertain yourself for a short while.
• Most people are good. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Until they prove you wrong. And they will.
• Forgiving and forgetting are two separate things. Always. It is possible to do one without the other.
• Never underestimate the power of a belief. People are defensive of their own and will do whatever they can to change yours.
• Never trust anyone who wears a bowtie on a regular basis.
• Everyone has an agenda. It might be an innocent one or a small one or even with your best interests in mind, but they always have a some reason for doing or saying what they do.
• You don’t have to agree all the time with someone to love or like them. In fact, a little debate keeps things interesting.
• Always hold the door open for a lady. Doesn’t matter if she’s 8 or 100.
• Attitudes are contagious and misery loves company. Don’t let others catch your bad attitude.

I think that’s enough for now. Feel free to comment and let me know if you have some similar ones. Or if you think I am full of BS. Either way should be interesting.

Everybody loves Google, but what if you had another way to view search results? To answer this, I have two items for you: one is a visual search engine and one will allow you to create a link for generating buzz on any topic you like.

First up is Spezify.
This is called a ‘visual search engine’ which means that the results come back in a more visual layout. This is actually really useful for pictures and video, both of which can be viewed without leaving the page. Includes Twitters too. You also navigate by dragging the mouse in a 3D motion. Definitely cool.

Here are some example results pages:
Mets
Olivia Munn
Venture Brothers

Next is Addictomatic.
This is kinda neat as it allows you to create a ‘one-stop’ page for any topic. The page contains multiple sources so you can have multiple links for your specific topic. You can then send this link out in a Twitter or as part of your Facebook status for example. Might also be good to see what others are saying about your topic. Seems useful either way.

Here are some example results pages:
V (as in the TV show)
Obama
Deviant Art

Feel free to try out ANY topic you like, you shouldn’t be disappointed.