Outliers

One of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell, has a new book out that sounds promising. I've mentioned the "The Tipping Point" before, and "Blink", and can't wait to get my hands on his new book, "Outliers". I still bring up things I learned in "The Tipping Point" and it looks like I'll have new tidbits from his latest work.

"Outliers can be enjoyed for its bits of trivia, like why most pro hockey players were born in January, how many hours of practice it takes to master a skill, why the descendents of Jewish immigrant garment workers became the most powerful lawyers in New York, how a pilots' culture impacts their crash record, how a centuries-old culture of rice farming helps Asian kids master math. But there's more to it than that. Throughout all of these examples--and in more that delve into the social benefits of lighter skin color, and the reasons for school achievement gaps--Gladwell invites conversations about the complex ways privilege manifests in our culture. He leaves us pondering the gifts of our own history, and how the world could benefit if more of our kids were granted the opportunities to fulfill their remarkable potential." --Mari Malcolm

My Netflix Queue

The most interesting thing on my Netflix cue is a movie titled, "The Future We Will Create". Netflix will explain it better than I can (below), but I'll say this: It's a really interesting view of a think-tank of sorts. It made me feel better knowing that something like this actually exists and that there are are truly creative people out there looking for the worlds solutions.

"Hailed "the hottest gathering in the world" by Wired magazine, TED (Technology Entertainment Design) is an annual event where an eclectic group of brilliant minds exchange bold ideas for the future. Actress Daphne Zuniga is your host on this all-access tour of the conference. Guests include former Vice President Al Gore, musician Peter Gabriel, environmentalist Majora Carter, as well as comedians, authors and innovators from around the world."

The little things

In observing my 14 month old, I love to watch his bewilderment at the simplest things; a straw, a quarter, a rubberband. He palms these items and studies every tiny little part of it. Since everything is brand new to him, he doesn't take anything for granted.

Somewhere along the line, in my thirty-some-odd years, I lost my amazement of a paperclip. Granted, I wouldn't get much done if I were to play with one for 12 minutes straight, but what if we were to look at everyday items like we had never seen them before? Would new uses become suddenly apparent? Would it pave the way for a better alternative? Because really, isn't that what we get when we disregard "business as usual" and turn things on their end?

It's not you, it's me.

I'm not breaking up with you, but I have to be honest: there's someone else. Something else, rather. Ok, it's another blog.

It's not that I don't think about you and revel in our memories ("Oh. that post from May 3rd... good times") - it's just that I've been pre-occupied with the new business and new blog (giftsforthegoodlife.blogspot.com, by the way) I don't want to make promises I can't keep - but I'm going to try my hardest to post with more regularity.

Give me another chance. I think we had something special. ;-)

Another new venture

So, it would appear that my lack of writing is on account of the bambino. In reality, it's because I started another business (yes, another one. yes, I am crazy.) Who would have thought that having 3 businesses that are retail-based and a baby would be a lot during the holidays? Obviously, not me.

The new business I started with my sister (she's even crazier than I am) is called Gifts for the Good Life and specializes in upscale custom gifts.. a gift concierge, if you will. The down-side: another business to tend to, and it can be a lot of work. The up-side: it's really fun, very creative and pretty rewarding.

So here's to taking on more than you can handle, just because you get to be creative!