Back for more...

Been a while, but been busy and quite frankly, sometimes you just get tired thinking about doing a post. Wrote a bit but never posted. I tend to do that, wanting to write, edit and get comfortable with it, and then post.

Anyway, let's see...Where were we?

On the iPod...well, that was stolen on my last business trip, but on iTunes right now...The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The Impression That I Get" and Trace Adkins "You're Gonna Miss This."

Recent movie..."3:10 to Yuma" was really good. Well done Western with Russell Crowe playing the villain with a way of weedling into people's minds, and Christian Bale as the protagonist passifist trying to do right and prove himself to his son. Watch for an intense performance by Ben Foster (Dave in "The Punisher" and Angel in last "X-Men" movie) as baddie sidekick Charlie Prince, and yet another appearance by Kevin Durand (military bad guy in latest season of "Lost" and way wacko Neo Nazi assasin in "Smokin' Aces").

Cooking...well, done the Coke Can BBQ Chicken two more times (I'll have to post that up sometime soon)...and did a great Key Lime Pie with real Key Limes and fresh squeezed Key Lime juice...yeah, I go for authenticism.

Something I learned...Christian Bale is from Wales. The dude does the accents really, really well and had me convinced he was American. Anyone who knows me, knows I respect the linguistic abilities.

Something that made me smile...I keep thinking back to a moment when my son had his sisters squashed between two cushions calling it a "Sister Sandwich", one escaped running away screaming "Runaway Cheeeeeeese!" I love those moments.

Something I'm proud of...wow, my son made a Saturday meet again for butterfly. He's doing grrrreat. And one of the twins made the Saturday meet in the 8 and under group....as a 6 year old. Wow. I could never swim a straight lap. I always found the side of the pool and could never figure out that breathing thing.

Okay, something about communications...

Well, not an issue, but news...I'm helping the local chapter of IABC (Int'l Association of Business Communicators) organize the judging for this year's Silver Inkwell Awards, the local version of the IABC Gold Quill. And as a consequence have been asked to serve on the Board this next year as co-Vice President with Susan Spoto for Awards. Very honored and happy to do so. Looking forward to it but a little awed.

So the judging starts this Saturday. And going back to my experience helping judge the Gold Quill in 2005, I'm looking forward to the networking, the peek into the good work of my comm colleagues in the D.C-Balto-Annapolis area, and getting inspired again. But one thing I'm prepping myself for is seeing again the number of entries submitted that take little or no account of measurement of success beyond "People really liked it." I remember being frustrated by that in '05. You know, I realize you don't always have the time and budget to incorporate the pre-campaign and post-campaign measurement that really justify the effort and definitively illustrate success. But if that's the case, lay out for me what you did do, and what you would have done if you had the time and budget. I'll give you credit for having gone through the thought process.

There you have it. More soon.....I promise.

What If There Were No Yellow?

“There are, my dear Gus, too many colors around us.

One in particular causes too much of a fuss.

So howdy and hello, let’s make the world mellow.

What would the world be like if there were no yellow?

“Ah, that’s better, you see, not quite so busy.

The world’s duller now, not all in a tizzy.

Clothes don’t holler, signs don’t bellow

Now that the world has no yellow.

“The sun does its job as it must do dutifully

Though I must confess it doesn’t do it as beautifully

Above the clouds and the kite, it shines with all its might

But all it produces is a flat white light.

“The birds have lost their tweet; butterfly wings have lost their beat.

Your lollipop doesn’t look so sweet.

The bee’s lost its bop; stop lights say only go and stop

And the hair on your head looks like a used mop.

“Oh my, I beg your pardon. Look here in my prized flower garden.

Now there is a sight to make a soft soul harden.

Sunflowers look like ice, and daffodils have lost their spice.

And my tulips and buttercups just don’t look quite as nice.

“The food in my hand has gone simply bland.

And I’ve lost my desire for the meals that I planned

The corn lost its pop, and the butter on top

And the mustard for my hot dog looks like plain gray slop.

“All my lemons lost their zeal, the eggs no yolks reveal,

and even my bananas have lost their appeal.

I'm missing one from the menu of Jello.

The world's as sad as the sound of a cello

Now that world has no yellow.

“There’s a problem to address, and here is my guess:

How did losing one color create such a mess?

Here from my front door, the world looks quite a bore.

It lacks something special; it needs something more.

“The world is much worse, since I conjured up this curse.

I shall put this condition into full reverse.

So howdy and hello, I see now, my good fellow

The world needs all its colors. Yes, even yellow!”

A Leaf That Died In Spring

For a leaf that fell in Spring, I cried.

Far before its time, it died.

I wonder, are other leaves appalled

or is that part of life, leaves fall?

Could it be that leaf believed

by its loss the tree’s relieved?

Less encumbered, the parent thrives

instead of mourning its leaves lives.

It makes no sense, green leaf on ground.

To branch and sky it should be bound

to herald the growth of family tree,

and losing this angers me.

Why if I was made to see

my worth in time, could it not be

this leaf, too, could be made to learn

that it had colors yet to turn?

stupid leaf, pitiless God,

to waste this life, turning to sod.

For a leaf that fell in Spring and died,

for its soul, and mine, I cried.

The Father

“Son, come over here a minute. I want to talk to you.”

“Uh, I’m kinda in a hurry. What’s up?”

“Sit down. I don’t think you’re going anywhere.”

“uh-oh.”

“Yeah, uh-oh. Get your feet off the table. A girl came by the house earlier today looking for you.”

“Who was it? Debbie?”

“No, I know Debbie. I didn’t know this one. She seemed upset and I –“

“Wh-what did she look like? Was she, um – did she have red hair?”

“Yes, and yes, she was. Son, I think we need to talk.”

“Dad, I know what you’re thinking, and we don’t need to talk. It wasn’t me. She’s just a good friend, and she didn’t know where to turn. She didn’t think she could talk to her mom. Not about this. She wants to go somewhere and get it taken care of, but she needs money.”

“So she came to you? Dan, what are you thinking? You’re gonna give ‘just a friend’ the money to buy her way out of her problems?”

“Dad, I know what I’m –“

“No, Dan, you do not. Do you really think she will get something like that by her parents? And what about her parents? If she’s afraid they’ll try to talk her out of it, well, she’s probably right. But don’t you think they have a right to know that their daughter wants to have her insides scooped out? Oh, yeah, Dan, that’s what it is. It’s not like going to the school first aid office for some aspirin and a band-aid. It’s serious. What if something goes wrong? Suppose she went under and didn’t come back up? Do you want to go back and tell them? Tell them you funded the death of their daughter and grandchild?”

“Nothing like that is going to happen. They do these things every day. Thousands of them. And I hear there’s even a pill…”

“Dan, you have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m not gonna get into the question of morals on this, but I do want you to think deeply on the ramifications of that kind of decision. Fine, this isn’t your baby, and I realize you think you’re being a good friend by helping her out this way. I admire your commitment to your friends. But Dan this is her life and her baby, and her parents child and grandchild. I don’t think you want to get in the middle of this. Do you know who the father is?”

“Dad, I can’t tell you anything else. Just I have to do this and I know it’s right. I’ve got enough to help her from the money I got mowing lawns this summer, and I’m gonna use it.”

“Dan, you do know the father, don’t you? If you want to help her, then do what you can to get him to take responsibility.”

“Dad, just trust me. I’m doing the right thing. Leave it alone!”

“Dan, I can’t just turn away, because your actions could implicate you and –“

“If that’s what you’re worried about, forget it.”

“It’s just that if her parents found out you financed her abortion they’d accuse you of fathering the child and –“

“And what? Force me to pay for the abortion? I’m already doing that!”

“They could bring charges. Dan, you’re under my roof and you’re still my responsibility.”

“So you’re afraid they’ll come after you?”

“No, Dan, I –“

“Dad, for the last time, I’m doing the best thing. Please trust me, and LET IT BE.”

“Dan, are you sure this isn’t you’re child?”

“Yes.”

“She has to go to her parents eventually.”

“She can’t.”

“I know it’s hard to do, to face them, but she has to.”

“She can’t!”

“Look you and I are talking about it. I don’t think –“

“She CAN’T!”

“Why?”

“HER DAD’S THE REASON! OKAY? Now, please let it go…”

“Of course, it’ll be tough to talk to him. All kids are afraid of their father’s anger, but…”

“The father, dad.”

“Her…father?”

“The father.”

“Dear God.”

“The father.”

Light King Ranch Chicken Casserole Makes 8 servings Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 5 minutes Bake: 35 minutes 1 large onion, chopped 1 large green bell pepper vegetable cooking spray 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast 1 (10 ounce) can fat-free cream of chicken soup, undiluted 1 (10 ounce) can fat-free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes (with green chiles, if desired) 1 tsp chili powder ½ tsp pepper ¼ tsp garlic powder 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas 1 (8 ounce) block of reduced fat Cheddar cheese, shredded SAUTE onion and bell pepper in a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender. STIR in chicken and next 6 ingredients; remove from heat. TEAR tortillas into 1” pieces; layer one-third tortilla pieces in bottom of a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with one-third chicken mixture and one-third cheese. Repeat layers twice. BAKE at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly. NOTE: Freeze casserole up to 1 month, if desired. Thaw in refrigerator overnight, and bake as directed. *Have had but not “light” version and using regular diced tomatoes (no green chiles). Very good, even as a leftover.

Long Time Coming...

So I've been away. Tax time, start of soccer season, spring time chores starting up. But I don't want April to get away without posting something. And so, that's to the reader's benefit because it'll be briefer than normal.

Let's see...on the iPod recently, Iz "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World". You might remember the haunting version by the very large late Hawaiian singer/guitarist used in a toy commercial a few years back. Jason Castro did a pretty good version recently on American Idol (and now you know something else about me...I watch American Idol...and The Apprentice...and Survivor...and Hell's Kitchen).

Recent movie..."Sweeney Todd"...Depp does great musical. Lot's of blood, though. Put the kiddies to bed.

Cooking...gonna try giving you a recipe through Google docs. Let's see if it works. Light King Chicken Ranch Casserole

Also going to try to get to one of the other reasons for the blog...to post up some writing and get some feedback from any and all. So here goes. First a short that was really an exercise in a writing class to tell a story through only dialogue. The Father.

Something I learned -- Wilbur McLean has the dubious honor of being the only man who can say that the Civil War began in his back yard and ended on his front porch. He and his family decided to move from their homestead in the Bull Run area of Manassas, Virginia when the first major battle took place behind his home. He moved to a building in Appomattox that had been the courthouse. Robert E. Lee eventually surrendeded, you guessed it, at the Courthouse at Appomattox.

Something I'm proud of...being pressed into service as head coach of my son's soccer team and by gosh we won the first game and my son did real well at forward despite his tendency to hide back in defense. I'm proud of his stepping out of the comfort zone, even as I was.

And a happy moment...finishing an article that just would not get finished at work.

And something on communications...well, I keep seeing references to the "value of podcasts" or the "value of blogs" or the "value of social media" in business. But those topics are too broad to give any one answer on value. It all depends (there you go, Shel, one for you) on how the podcast, blog, or other social media is being used. In fact, I dare say that the most value in the business environment might come from these technologies or platforms when they're used behind the scenes and the user isn't even aware they're using a blog platform or participating in a traditional podcast. The idea here is the importance and value don't come from the technology but the fact that the communications effort reaches its audience effectively, engages them in an appropriate way and elicits the desired response or action. That could be said of press releases, brochures, ads, or any other communication medium.

Thoughts?

Communications Malpractice?

Sharing Time

Recent tunes on the iPod..."Woman in the Wall" by The Beautiful South. I remember when my kid sister introduced me to this light little ditty thinking how nice the tune was -- until I listened to the lyrics. Comes from a great album though titled "Welcome to the Beautiful South." Also, Elvis Costello's "Veronica."

Cooking tip...here's a quick and easy recipe we like:
Vegetable Shrimp and Pasta

Makes 4 servings

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes

¼ cup corn oil
1 lbs medium fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup water
1 cup dry white wine
1 package Knorr Vegetable soup and recipe mix
1 tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
8 oz. linguine pasta, cooked and drained

PREPARE pasta according to package directions and set aside to drain.

HEAT corn oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and garlic, stirring frequently until shrimp is pink (5 minutes). Remove shrimp and set aside.

ADD water, wine, soup mix, oregano, pepper. Set heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes.

RETURN shrimp, simmer 2 minutes. Spoon over pasta, toss to coat.

Three questions:

• I learned that my anger at the oil companies might best be directed at (surprise, surprise) the government...maybe. More on that later
• I'm proud of stepping up to volunteer for a couple efforts in the local IABC chapter, helping to run the Silver Inkwell judging and meeting with the Career Move folks to talk about how the local chapter can add more value to its membership.
• A happy moment came at work when we were discussing how we can provide all the best professional counsel we have to give based on our very good collective experience, but senior management and business areas won't accept it as valid unless it comes from outside. So we decided maybe we all ought to come in wearing blue blazers and name tags and act like an outside agency..."Where's the restroom?" Got us all laughing silly. Guess you had to be there.

Something about communications...

Lee Aase, manager of syndications and social media (formerly media relations manager) at Mayo Clinic, states an interview for the cover story in March 2008 Ragan Web Content Report "For communication professionals, being unfamiliar with social media tools borders on malpractice." I agree but with an additional thought. Too often, even we communications professionals will rush to social media because it's cool and we think we need to be in that space, if even just to learn the stuff. I think being unfamiliar with social media and rushing to it without bringing along the basic business communications fundamentals (what's our business goal? What's our communications objective? Who are our audiences? etc) is malpractice.

What do you think?

Now about that thing in my craw...

Spoke with someone I know who works at Exxon Mobil, who has been to Valdez, and who understands the profit structure. His explanation of the Valdez Supreme Court argument is that a) the folks in Valdez all became millionaires a long time ago with what Exxon paid out previously. All their boats paid off, all their lives significantly (financially, anyway) better, b) the area is now one of the most pristine, beautiful areas you can find, in part because of cleanup, but mostly because over 19 years Mother Nature has done what she does well, adjusting and cleaning up on her own, and c) because the people of Valdez have all been paid their millions, the punitive fine -- even reduced from $5B to $2.5B amounts to the government saying "Okay, now we want to teach you a lesson." Exxon is saying, "Look, believe us, we've learned the lesson. We've paid out billions already on settlement with the residents of Valdez and the affected businesses and on the clean up."

I'm still skeptical, but bringing it back to communications, if those things are true, why don't we see those arguments from Exxon. Go to their site and search "Valdez" and you get nothing. Were they ever out in the public with those arguments? Certainly not in the article I noted. Maybe their strategy is to save the arguments for the court and not worry about the court of public opinion. I know I have not typically used Exxon, partly because they're always more expensive but in part because of my desire not to reward companies I feel have done wrong. I'm sure there are others more passionate than I about embargoing Exxon based on that same reasoning. Perhaps that represents too small an amount of potential business.

This last could be the reason they may have opted not to communicate on the issue, particularly if what my friend explains about the profit structure is true. Exxon makes relatively little on the sale of gasoline, the majority of their profit coming from selling the oil they pull out of the ground to other countries and companies. He says the vast majority of highly priced stations are independently run and are ignoring the suggested retail price Exxon gives them. He says the biggest element to the high prices we're seeing are because of local, state and federal taxes.

I'm still skeptical on that explanation of pricing because the taxes don't fluctuate on a daily basis or rise over time like the gas prices have. But that's another issue. What do you think about the communications issues around the Valdez thing? Anyone from Exxon communications willing/able to talk? Anyone hear if there was a decision by the Supreme Court yet? Did I miss it? What was it?