Grassroots Evolution

I have had the coolest idea!  It's an idea about the evolution of grassroots movements and where I think they will go next.  There's been lots of talk these last few years about grassroots organizations, y'know?  Groups of regular citizens gathering together for some political purpose or another - even if it's just to rant.  Heck, I like to rant!  It's not very productive, but it can be fun.  (More on the productive stuff in a minute.)

I got involved in the Tea Party spirit myself and participated in both of the Tax Day protests held so far in my hometown.  I even got to speak for about ten minutes at one of them about my experiences overseas as an American and what it meant for me to come home to this land I love so well.  I made a couple of signs with my bud Travis and we had some good times.  I am pleased to say that the protests were gloriously un-lead.  Nobody was in charge.  The guys who had bullhorns passed them around and we all had some fun doing that crazy American thing that would get you beat up, thrown in jail, or killed in most other countries.  Saying whatever the heck we wanted to.  Sweet!

As fun as it was, both times, I've been thinking lately that a volume of folks standing up and saying that they feel totally ignored by their would-be lords and masters in Washington isn't really going to change things long-term.  Oh sure, it's had an impact, even a national one all told, but I've been thinking about root causes of the problems.  (I'm a geek.  I do that.)

So what do I think is the root cause of the voter angst and the mess in Washington?

How to Handle Hecklers

I relate poorly with most humans.  I've been this way for my whole life, but it wasn't until I got married and Tiffany started to show me things about myself that I had a glimmer that it was a problem.  Now I find myself in the unenviable position of seeing the lack, but not having a full skill-set to adjust my day-to-day thinking.
Since I am now partially aware of this flaw, I am constantly on the look-out to better myself.  Here are today's tips that I am repeating as a mantra, on one of my Back-Burner Processors^TM, for dealing with people (even if it's the man in the mirror I'm talking to) who want to disrupt my flow and/or presentations:

1. Approach the person(s) in a confident manner.
2. Make and do not lose eye contact.
3. Be direct, but do not talk down to them.
4. Take and maintain control of the situation.
5. Do not engage in a shouting match.
6. Remain in charge.
7. Repeat their words when responding.
8. When finished let them know the conversation is over and they have two choices – leave or sit down and listen.

If I can just internalize this kind of thing, one day I'll be able to not embarrass myself so badly.  Okay, that's not entirely honest...  Mostly I don't want to embarrass my wife - I still don't care that much!

My Love Note Philosophy

If you are in a relationship then you know what a chore it is to keep things going.  It takes a lot of work and skill to be a good 'significant other'.  For me, the labels that I'm the proudest to wear all have to do with my family, and more particularly my wife.
When I was single, even way back when I was a teenager, I spent a lot of time reading, studying, and pondering how to get and keep a woman like the one I'm married to now.  What's really funny is how many things I had to completely scrap once I got to know Tiffany.  That's because she's her own person and totally unique.  I found that there’s no magic formula or secret method to making a relationship work.
I'd like to share some of the tricks of one of my favorite methods of romancing: Love Notes!
You can't write anything too corny for a love note.  You can't send too many love notes.  You just can't go wrong with love notes.  Used correctly, you can write scores in one sitting and have the romantic goodness last all month long!  Here are some of the keys to making love notes work for you:

1. Keep it fun and casual.
2. Dole them out one at a time.
3. Be creative and don't worry about being corny.

Weaponized Worm

I have built my fair share of targeted programs.  Heck, any program written for a specific person can be considered a 'targeted program'.  What's new under this dark sun is the release of a weaponized targeted worm - built to propagate itself everywhere, but only attack a single target.  And then it tries to destroy it.  Really, physically blow it up!

Introduction

And we're off!  This site has launched into the great void that is the blogosphere. I'm not sure what direction this will go in - it's a bit spontaneous on my part, truthfully.
I plan on using this area as a place to rant and rave about whatever comes to mind.  I'll be focusing on the areas I feel most passionate about: my family, my country, and my work.  You can rest assured that there will be interesting family anecdotes, political screed, and that twisted perspective about life that has made so many people call into question my sanity. 
Watch this space for more exciting activities that are sure to amaze, frighten, and/or please you!