DogBalls Blog

"Reaching across the aisles..."

A Casa da Árvore [Tree House]
Originally uploaded by Jim Skea

The current political race for next President of the United States can be divisive. In California, less so, because the state has been chalked up for Barack Obama very early on and there is no chance it'll goto McCain.... so I don't see a lot of arguments over lunch. Having said that... there should be more debate about who should live in the White House ... but it shouldn't be limited to the great GOP v. DNC "smack-down" the country is wrapped up in.

"Reaching across the aisles" is what has led our country down the road we find ourselves in. Working toward a common goal, forgetting party alliances to put our country's best interests first is a noble cause and should be every U.S. Congressmen and Senator's duty. The problem is that our house is TOO cordial ... and their ideals are too closely aligned. Take for example the $700B rescue/bail-out package for the Financial sector. In the end, both parties agreed it was the right thing to do... but not before adding an additional $200B in pork to pass it.

Where is the voice of reason that stands up to these two political parties and says, "NO. Adding more pork to our country's already deep debt is not the right move for us." Nobody is there to keep the GOP and DNC honest. Each party likes to appoint themselves as the watch-dog for us, the American People, to keep "the other guys" from raising taxes, keeping abortion legal/safe, drilling, not drilling, etc. But in the end, these two parties are like Coke v. Pepsi. (No real difference at all.)

The United States of America is a diverse nation. How can our nation be represented by ONLY TWO political parties? It makes no sense. The reason we are represented by only two parties is because the two parties in control like it this way. They can push and pull on each other all day and night, year in and year out but in the end... they need each other to play one another's foil. It's been this way for many years but... Time is running out.

Time is running out because the great loser in this "fake battle" between the GOP and the DNC is US. We the people, though a coordinated effort from BOTH sides of the aisle of racked up huge amounts of debt, seen an unregulated financial system nearly (probably) collapse us and get us into a war nobody wants to be in. Before blame starts being thrown around... it's BOTH sides fault.

I get wrapped up in the GOP v. DNC smack-down myself.... I have my opinions about McCain's choice for VP and about Obama's strategy on health care for everyone. But... but... I have to remind myself (and hopefully via this blog post others) that the real enemy and threat to our country is this two-party system. We need REAL candidates with brave new ideas that can push us past this mess we've gotten ourselves into.

Vote your conscience this year ... and send the message that the GOP and DNC cannot take YOUR vote for granted... that they need to start making smart decisions for our country...introduce a new voice that makes them better/smarter/faster/stronger!

PEACE AND LOVE

Father & Daughter

Jordan Reese & Me
Originally uploaded by mil8

My new daughter, Jordan Reese Levin,  joins Lola, Sydney, Stacey and Me. If there was ever a doubt... I am truly outnumbered with no hope for a come-back! ;-)

We're blessed by her arrival and look forward to Sydney's baby-sitting skills to progress... she's already proven to be a very loving and caring big-sister.

Thanks for all your well-wishes!

Golf Product Review of the Day

The most comfortable golf shoe I've ever worn is the Adidas Tour 360 3.0. After a long "scramble" tournament with a "20" and a "30" that took six hours to complete, I was ready to play another 18. If you're a golfer, you know that after a round like that... you're ready to give up the game.

Great stability, cushioning and grip (even with the "stock" spikes.) Adidas does a good job with these shoes and I think they've made a giant leap over past attempts.

They're not bad to look at either! ;) Available here.

Get your camera ready for 24hours of flickr'ness

Happy People = Healthy Profits

Aviators make or break everything
by wisforworlddomination

What is that feeling you get when you enter a retail environment and you're greeted by a happy salesperson? Close your eyes and imagine your visit to an Apple Retail Store or at the check-in desk at the W Hotel. Did you smile? Do you want to buy? Do you want to come back soon?

Now...how was your visit to the Airport Starbucks? Was it different than your local one? Something is different and I'd call it the happiness factor.

Smiling is not only contagious but I would argue it also makes you want to spend more. Easier said than done but, it's in management's best interest to keep the front-line staff happy because they will be rewarded with even healthier returns.

flickr photo of the day

Originally uploaded by Malingering

from Malingering ... best known for her candids at Chavez Ravine shocks her followers with this amazing shot. I love how the horizon line sits below the shack and (of course) the resting dog.

Happy 4th of July

waiting for the big show
Originally uploaded by mil8

Backpacking Trip #2 in the books

ascent ...
Originally uploaded by mil8

Not since my last backpacking trip one year ago have I had the pleasure to hoist a 50lb pack on my hips and shoulders and go for a 'leisurely stroll' down a dusty path.

This time around the college buddies and I ventured a little closer to home... San Gorgonio summit. It's located about 90 minutes east of Los Angeles and happens to be the highest peak in Southern California. It stands at 11,499 feet and has views of Big Bear Lake to the North and parts of Palm Springs to the South. (It was rather startling to see lush green to one side and dusty desert on the other.)

Approximately 30 miles in total, two nights under the stars and 4,000 of vertical feet from the parking lot.

We managed to blaze our own trail on the second day of our hike by missing the [air-quotes] "trail" and finding our own way up the face of the rocky peak. During endless switchback hikes, I've always wondered what it would be like to just head straight up ... I no longer need to ask myself that question. Answer: It's slow-going, a little painful and scary at times.

Rocks slid under foot and hearts were pumping through shirts. All in all, I think the altitude played a part in our decision to forge ahead up that beast. In the end, we were rewarded with a beautiful view, a wedding at the summit and a [once again, air quotes] "easy trip" down the switchbacks.

Good times! I will see you next year Mr. Backpack (once the memory of the pain goes away and all that remains are the sweet memories of hanging with good friends.)

Photography/Technology Withdrawls

V Singh ii b&w
by reflectivesport

Yesterday I spent a day at Torrey Pines Golf course for the 108th US Open PGA Golf Tournament with my group of friends that I went to Scotland with. It was a long day that began around 8:00AM through just past 6:00PM. Aside from some great golf, people watching and merchandise galore (picture a grocery store full of logo'd stuff), I was struck by the impact technology had on the game.

First of all, some frustration ... no cell phones or cameras allowed on the course. Once past the metal detectors to the game, I was without my iPhone for 10 hours (and survived to tell the tale.) How many times was I tempted to tweet the sights and sounds I was experiencing at The Open? If Tiger Woods sprays his tee shot and yells FCUK and I'm not able to tweet it, did it really happen? ;-)

I've never missed my camera so much and watched with envy as press-types walked inside the ropes with giant lenses and captured moments I was witnessing. It's one thing to forget your camera or choose not to bring it but I was there... and missed capturing some amazing vistas and pics of players resting alongside their bags before their next shot.

On the positive side of the technology story was the free "live viewing system" from wisedv inc. that American Express was providing to its card members. Patrons of the events could check them out at AmEx's tent and view live ESPN/NBC coverage, video feeds from #18, the leader-board, the blimp, etc. The little TV's added a very cool dimension to the event and gave visitors an omnipresent feeling as we walked the event. I met one of their account managers who shared with me that the company (based in San Diego) also provides their services to tennis matches.

All in all, great event and the weather was fantastic. I just wish everyone could be trusted with their phones and cameras not to disrupt play but... I will be the first to admit, it would never work. For now, I will just hope I can get inside the ropes for a future event and bring my Canon EOS along for the ride!

UPDATE: Since originally posting this blog entry, I had to change out the photo because the original one (of a press pass) was made "unavailable" either by it's owner or by flickr (not sure which but if was the owner, I do apologize if the re-publishing made you feel uncomfortable.) I thought it fitting that the photo I was profiling was "unavailable" due to my own frustrations about having *my* camera be unavailable. However... what came of it was another photo of professional golfer V Singh in mid-swing. I thought this was very fitting because it illustrates one reason why cameras are not allowed on the grounds. Taking pictures mid-swing is a major foul <click, click, click>

Lessons from my roadtrip

Sun on the way up to Mammoth
Originally uploaded by mil8

After my departure from Yahoo!, I embarked on a search that took me on a journey for which I am thankful for. It took me to wonderful places and introduced (and in many cases re-introduced) me to fantastic people.

I learned about myself and those around me. I learned who I can trust with a secret and who I can call on for a favor. I learned about follow-up, follow-through and the art of a good hand-written thank you note (on Crane & Co. stationery.) I learned about the power of the iPhone and the usefulness of Sandy. I learned that keeping a paper-calendar, written in pencil, is better than any digital version. I learned that twitter is the perfect diversion when I needed a break or a good laugh. I learned that Kanye West is a Gemini. I learned that the TED conference is worth the ticket price and that Virgin America is the best commercial airline.

It was during this transitional phase in my life that I discovered the aspects of my career that I loved and I worked tirelessly to find a role that focused on them. I found strengths in myself that others recognized before me and it was scary to divert my career path into new unchartered territory. It also wasn’t easy. The search was my full-time job and I had never worked harder in my life to succeed at it. In the end, I found what I was looking for... the best job I could have ever imagined for myself.

Thank you to those who supported me during this time ... your thoughts, kind words of encouragement and introductions meant so much to me. A job search can be a lonely road because of all the peaks and valleys that you must endure ... and you can’t keep everyone appraised of each turn ... cell service is very spotty on these roads! ;-) It’s at the finish-line that I can pause and reflect. THANK YOU!