Siftings
Oct
30
Vista,Cruiser
The Caddy canters up the 101. North of Santa Barbara in the rain, the windshield wipers serve as metronome to Brian Fallon’s “Nobody Wins”. A love’s lost / fond remembrance song two notches closer to Springsteen’s “Bobby Jean” than the Replacements’ “Left of the Dial”, it also ponders...
Oct
28
Craig’s Friday Countdown - Buddha Wanna
Things Buddhists want:
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5. No, seriously, detachment from want, and all that …
4.
3. Ok, a nice little spot by a gently flowing river wouldn’t be the worst thing, ever.
2.
1. (tie) China out of Tibet. Cubs, in...
Oct
16
Jetsam & Jetways
It was a ritual. Each Friday bout 5:45 pm I’d fill an empty copier paper box with the week’s desk flotsam and bring it home. Sometime Saturday or Sunday, I’d sit on the floor in the family room and sift through it all. Such was the work-life balance as Davenport City Administrator.
I had...
Oct
09
Trespassing
Go to the problem. It’s basic leadership. You can read about the problem, look at a picture of the problem, and have the problem described to you. But there’s nothing like going to the problem to understand it. See it, hear it, feel it. Smell and taste it if you have to. Except if the problem...
Sep
28
Into The Gaps
John stops for a moment and says he’s getting too excited. The room rumbles with laughter, for John’s a rather gentle soul. He’s also John Nalbandian, dean of the city manager training brigade if ever there was one. Chaired the Public Administration Department at KU. Mayored Lawrence, Kansas. ...
Sep
28
Aperture
The plane descends into the over-built hell that is Los Angeles. Less than an hour ago it took off from the heaven of Seaside and the peninsula. As we lose altitude, I slide the window shade up and the difference is so stark, I take a picture for a tweet. The first of three planes today, this...
Sep
18
A Few Small Repairs
I was stumped. It happens so regularly, you’d think they’d all sort of run together. And they do. The running screenplay of my life carries the working title Stumped: A Life Not Quite Sure, Except For A Few Things.
The February 25, 2015 episode stands out though, because I have notes from...
Sep
17
Is it umpa or oompa (lumpa)?
“Bridget Bardot?” goes the question. “Jill St. John” starts the answer, “and that’s Jacqueline Bisset”, finishes it. It’s a non-standard conversation to have in front of a vacant furniture refinishing shop. But it’s a non-standard day. Not an odd day (at least, to me). Just a non-standard one....
Sep
16
Craig’s Friday Checklist: Thwackery
Things to bring with on PARK(ing) Day:
Misc.
3. Conceptual Walls – to conceptually frame the space
2. Handouts – so I can be lathing rather than explaining (here)
1. Not So Conceptual Picture Stands – because space is only 10% defined by walls and 90% by what you hang on...
Sep
15
Oh Leery
Seaside leads the peninsula (get used to that phrase) with PARK(ing) Day tomorrow. See you tomorrow at 600 Broadway, Seaside, CA. A handout for my parking space turned live-work-play demonstration goes something like this:
The THWACK Factory: A Love Story
Orville and Wilbur dreamed we...
