Details, details, details...

Have you noticed that many, if not the overwhelming majority of events or situations that become serious problems (I'm not talking about the petty grievances of daily life) result from someone not paying adequate attention to critical details? As work becomes more stuffed with stuff to do, we (I) measure the outcome of our day based on the number of tasks completed. I suggest many of the tasks we are scrambling to complete are a revisitation of a task we could have done right the first time if we had managed the details more diligently. It takes a bit more time to make sure the details are correct, but we're "too busy" and assume someone else will follow up. Remember the probe sent to Mars that missed the planet because the program had an error in units, like kilometers instead of miles, and nobody looked at that detail. Assumptions are fine if they are kept in context but they don't take the place of knowing. We have a local fast food place that has every tool in the book to get the order correct, yet they almost never get it right, regardless of the complexity. Why? Not enough emphasis by the management on this aspect of people doing their job properly. Result? Ticked off customer and bad reputation. Details are not the sexiest part of what we deal with every day, but we're loosing the ability as a culture to give them their due and respect the importance of this part of being competent. One suggestion; quit "multi-tasking" and do one thing at a time, giving it your full attention. Try it; it is amazing how your task list will shrink and you'll feel better about what you actually get done.

Book Reviews

Knot another blog about books! Who wants to write a book report? Better yet, who wants to read them?

I hated doing book reports when I was in school, probably because I had to tell what the story was about, what the author was trying to say (according to the teacher), and there wasn't much room for personal opinions. Once I chose a technical career, there didn't seem much point in reading for anything other than work. But I've always enjoyed reading and have continued to do so since college, so I've accumulated a fair amount of "books read" over the years. Some were worth the effort, others barely passed the definition of book, let alone literature. Along the way I've found some writers I think are well worth the time to consume their work; others just are funny, and some weird enough to have at least some passing exposure. So I've decided to dip my toe into the world or book reviews, although these really will boil down to if I think the book is worth the read and why.

My daughter Stacy gave me a copy of "Sh*t My Dad Says" by Justin Halpern for Father's Day. She also gave me a dirty limerick book that she mistakenly though was something else (how, we're not sure), but that is another story. Whether you have had a supportive and nourishing relationship with your dad or a dysfunctional one to the point of exasperation (think "Titus"), this book will make you laugh hard, with tears (ok for guys if you're laughing). Besides the father's profane and some might say artful way of slicing his son's dreams and life-altering events like a word-ginsu knife, there is an element of world-wise-what-the-hell in his reactions/perspectives on his son's adventures-in-life that is hard not to appreciate. Mr. Halpern writes from his take on things, I think knowing full well that he may have similar reactions when he has the vantage point of his father. The book isn't long and is a fast read, although you want to leave time for laughing. I don't think this is a "father/son" book; anyone who has looked at their dad with that mix of awe and incredularity that comes from a otherwise competent adult's outer shell cracking like a cheap department store glass on tile should enjoy this book. Hopefully Mr. Halpern will not need the proceeds from the book for life-long therapy, but the read is worth the effort. Hope you enjoy. Tell me what you think!

2005 Mini Cooper S

Kent Ranger 26' Sailboat 1977

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