Friday, December 23, 2016

gathering attention (audio)

Officially into winter, the shortest day is behind us and we get longer days each day we go forward. So there is hope!

Tune in for additional reflections this day





The Giver Quartet
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00PMOEN8O/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

a copy of the cast lists for The Giver and Gathering Blue performed by Franklin High School
a copy of the cast lists for The Giver and Gathering Blue performed by Franklin High School

tree shadows and trees
tree shadows and trees

Wednesday, December 07, 2016

raindrops (audio)

reflections in the mixed precipitation on the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor




baseball field at the Parmenter School early this morning in the mixed precipitation
baseball field at the Parmenter School early this morning in the mixed precipitation


Monday, November 28, 2016

"the shortest path is still a crooked line"

reflections on the path that got us here, was it a straight line or crooked line?





"As vice president of Thomson Reuters Labs, Mona M. Vernon heads up a growing global network of data scientists who can mine vast amounts of information, helping business clients identify unexpected ways to make money or find hidden details that can make or break major deals. In a world increasingly obsessed with the power of “Big Data,” that sounds like an alpha geek’s dream job. But Vernon jokes that she actually used to be much cooler. 
After emigrating from France to the United States to attend Tufts University, Vernon worked in a machine shop, crunched numbers on Wall Street, managed and performed in bands, spun records as a DJ, exhibited paintings, and overhauled lasers. And then she figured it was time to get a graduate degree. 
The Globe spent a few minutes diving into that winding path with Vernon, 41, at the Boston headquarters of Thomson Reuters Labs, a startup-inspired space at the data and news company’s Seaport offices."

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/11/23/her-company-data-helps-deals-get-done/C7znFPcyy5IaohFPRZfpBP/story.html


a view of the former Hancock tower, now 200 Clarendon St
a view of the former Hancock tower, now 200 Clarendon St

The quote comes from a Daryl Purpose song, the title song of his album "A Crrooked Line"
http://www.darrylpurpose.com/

Saturday, November 12, 2016

election reflection 2016

with no mandate, only a majority of the Electoral College, governing the USA will get more challenging. Civil discourse is called for, now more than ever.




how far does your shadow cast?
how far does your shadow cast?

Friday, October 28, 2016

filled with words (audio)

Missed last week due to being away for the Dodge Poetry Festival. Now I am back filled with words and ideas wanting to become words.




The Dodge Poetry Festival can be found online  http://www.dodgepoetry.org/

autumn color in rain
autumn color in rain
You can find my poetry at http://www.quietpoet.com/

Friday, October 14, 2016

deep learning implications (audio)

reflections on an article where an AI beat a Go master and what that means for the future of work and jobs that will remain





  • The promised link to the article

https://medium.com/basic-income/deep-learning-is-going-to-teach-us-all-the-lesson-of-our-lives-jobs-are-for-machines-7c6442e37a49#.qcz6ofwxh

the telling graphic from the St Louis Federal Reserve Bank
the telling graphic from the St Louis Federal Reserve Bank

Sunday, October 09, 2016

Deja Brew - 6 kettles to take home

The "band of brewers" visited Deja Brew Friday to bottle our most recent set of 6 kettles. The beer listing is shown here. The all important cap codes are listed below.


AKA IPA Keith's first IPA, and it's a good one! Very tasty, good hop flavor
Harvest Spice Yummy fall pumkin flavoured beer that everyone craves for the Fall (with pumpkin liquor)
Llevar Porter If you like Ravell , you’ll love this one. Vanilla accents
Off Kilter Scotch Full-bodied & malty, a Scottish style strong ale
Red Rider Ale Similar to Killian’s Red. A mild hop content, and smooth taste
Sammy's Octoberfest A slightly dark dark even keeled beer leaves a soft malty feeling on your tongue


We now have 293 kettles in our ledger, only 7 more to get to 300!


  • A = Aka IPA
  • S = Sammy's Octoberfest
  • R = Red Rider Ale
  • P = Harvest Spice (kicked up with pumpkin liquor)
  • O = Off kilter Scotch
  • (blank) = Llevar Porter (with vanilla infused Jim Beam)







DejaBrew: ingredients lined up
DejaBrew: ingredients lined up

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Thinking through the fog (audio)

Thinking through the fog, how do we do what we do? Do you spend some time on this?



new banners appearing downtown as the improvement project completes its work
new banners appearing downtown as the improvement project completes its work

Sunday, September 11, 2016

State Primary Election results (audio)


Recorded on Friday morning and shared here Sunday. You may get to catch up tho this on another day. Not time sensitive.



the Franklin Sculpture Park, always a 'bee utiful" place to visit
the Franklin Sculpture Park, always a 'bee utiful" place to visit



Friday, September 02, 2016

social media policy update required (audio)

2 quick thoughts heading into the weekend. 

  1. on the media policy needing to be changed for MLS and NFL. 
  2. on the new feature in OneNote that autocompletes a math equation





The social media policy is one piece of the rather long disclaimer that is part of the New England Revolution 'membership' package.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AJsvRw1CeHTk9SMYTEz9Nf6rZkeUAtN-Du_j1ouamfg/edit?usp=sharing

"I agree that I and/or each person who enters Gillette Stadium using tickets issued to me will not transmit or aid in transmitting any description, account, picture, reproduction, or other depiction (including text, data, or visual) in any media of all or any part of the event."
This was apparently written 10 years ago. Yes, long before the likes of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Periscope, etc. came into prominence. Now, we need the lawyers to get back to the drawing board to update the language in light of the current situation. Phrase it such that you still get some brand protection and yet I (and others) don't run afoul of the restrictions to take pictures and share accordingly.


sample of a photo that I took that violates the ticket policy at #mls  and #nfl stadiums today, a rewrite of the policy is needed
sample of a photo that I took that violates the ticket policy at #mls
and #nfl stadiums today, a rewrite of the policy is needed


and on the second point, about the autocompletion of an equation
Ink Math Assistant and Ink Replay- Using your stylus in OneNote you can now write out equations and then have them solved and then see the steps that were used to get to that answer. Microsoft calls itthinking with ink and I call it pure magic because I was always bad at math. It is currently only available in OneNote for Windows 10.
- Replay inking in Office apps is like a screen recorder for ink based annotations that lets you see the sequence of someone marking up a document. It is currently available in OneNote on Windows 10 but will soon expand to other programs in Office 365 including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Monday, August 22, 2016

NE Revolution doldrums

Thoughts on the local soccer team and their troubles in losing the last four league games including the last two at home without scoring a goal.





from a recent NE Revs game
from a recent NE Revs game

correction, the -17 goal differential is correct but the totals should be 29 and 46 (not 30 and 47)

http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings
http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings

#nerevs

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Change management (audio)

Reflections on the intersections of change management and project management




construction sign in Franklin
construction sign in Franklin

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Well, it is about time! (audio)

catching up after several weeks away from here....




well needed rain coated some leaves on the walk this morning
well needed rain coated some leaves on the walk this morning

Saturday, July 09, 2016

Another 6 kettles but who knows where June went?

Yes, it has been a while. What happened to June?

The "Band of Brewers" did get to bottle on June 6th which I missed due to business travel but I was able to join them to bottle on June 30.

Here are the cap codes for the current set of six kettles

A = Ayeska Alt Our version of Alaska Brewing' Alaskan Amber.. Awesome
G = Goibniu A Great rendition of a true Scottish Ale
P = Poon IPA Keith's version of a great IPA made in Boston. It's great, who needs Boston?
PP = Potbelly Pilsner A very drinkable beer. A nice fruity flavor with a nice dry bite
(blank) Sam's Dam Yummy ACBBD – A sweeter version of Stunner
SW = Summer Wheat It's a close resemblance to Owen O'leary's summer wheat

a case from the current batch
a case from the current batch

and the updated tally of the 286 kettles, 138 unique brews.



Beer Total
Stunner 17
Blueberry Ale 15
Hearty Christmas Ale 10
Lawnmower Lager 7
Llevar Porter 7
Evil Santa's Ale 6
Pumpkin Ale 6
Steel Rail Pale Ale 6
Downtown Brown 5
Goibniu 5
Sammy's Octoberfest 5
Bassalope 4
Double Scotch Ale 4
Dunrovin Stout 4
Hirschgarden Marzen 4
Light Irish Stout 4
Lobster Claw 4
McTartan’s Scotch Ale 4
Off Kilter Scotch 4
Wachusett Pale 4
Killer Honey Ale 3
Nessie Scotch Ale 3
Oktoberfest Beir 3
Rusty Anchor Lager 3
Tim’s Dim Wit Bier 3
Winter Jubilee Barley Wine 3
Balance Rock Red 2
Bavarian Pilsner 2
Castle Brown Ale 2
Chocolate Cream Stout 2
Crazed & Confused 2
Dave's Red 2
Dean Park Pilsner 2
Death Star II: Return of the Citra 2
Deja Fest 2
Down Under Lager 2
Fuggle Ambrosia 2
Fuggle Imperial IPA 2
German Dry 2
Gnarly Barley Wine 2
Harvest Spice 2
Honey Summer Ale 2
Howling Honey Ale 2
Mile High Lager 2
Old Man Winter Ale 2
Old Tyme Winter Warmer 2
Olde English Strong Ale 2
Piper Scottish Ale 2
Potbelly Pilsner 2
Red Head Ale 2
Red Tail Ale 2
Scotch Ale 2
Summer Wheat 2
Thoroughbred Red 2
Top Drop Dopplebock 2
Uncle John’s Stout 2
Worcester County Bitter 2
12 Honey Ale 1
A Great BOD 1
Abbott's Weizenbock 1
Ayeska Alt 1
Baltic Porter 1
Bawstin Lager 1
Beaver Back Pale 1
Big heart IPA 1
Big Safari Amber Ale 1
Borde Ttown Lager 1
Broken Spring 1
Bubba Jugs Pale Ale 1
Budman's best 1
C U Latour Boch 1
California Dreaming 1
Chestnut Brown 1
Deja Wide Stout 1
DejaDave's Summerfest 1
Der Racecar Red 1
Ding A Ling 1
Doggie Style Stock Ale 1
Drunken Monk Ale 1
Dublin’s Half 1
Emperor stout 1
Eric’s Imperial Stout 1
Eye of the Chicken Hawk 1
Fall's Lager 1
Forest Fire Red 1
Fruhling Fest 1
Gene's IPA 1
Gnomey's Pilz 1
Great White Golden 1
Greg’s Big Head Stout 1
Harry's Brown IPA 1
Hazelnut Brown Ale 1
Helles Lager 1
Hi Ho Silver 1
High Sierra Pale 1
Honey Ginger Madness 1
Honey Snap Lager 1
Hungarian Accent 1
Iron Man IPA 1
Jeff Beck Lager 1
Jumping Jack Porter 1
Kick Ass Pale Ale 1
Klawtobier 1
Laberis Liberty Barley Wine 1
Lapierre Big Red 1
Leftover IPA 1
Ludwig Brau 1
Madras Pale 1
Malcolm’s Mild 1
Maple Stout 1
Miner’s Bock 1
O’Malleys Irish Stout 1
Oak Island Bitter 1
Oatmeal Stout 1
Octoberfest Bier 1
Old Peculiar 1
Old World Lager 1
Poon IPA 1
Queen Bee Lager 1
Raspberry Wheat 1
Ray's Bock 1
Red Eye Ale 1
Red Rider Ale 1
Red Rock Bock 1
Rocket Bock 1
Ron’s Redhook ESB 1
Rye Blonde 1
Salzburg Dunkel Weiss 1
Sam’s Damn Yummy 1
Sammy's Summer 1
Sam's Dam Yummy 1
Saranick's Black & Tan 1
SN Robust Porter 1
Special Delivery Ale 1
Sturz Strong Ale 1
Sweet Cream Ale 1
The Rock 1
Vollbeir Wheat 1
Grand Total 286

Monday, May 30, 2016

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Monday, May 09, 2016

Commencement 2016 (audio)

Reflections on the value of a college degree or masters these days



a stream that feeds into a larger stream within the Franklin Town Forest
a stream that feeds into a larger stream within the Franklin Town Forest


The Storify that The Worcester Telegram and Gazette put together for the Assumption College commencement on Saturday


Sunday, April 24, 2016

Friday, April 15, 2016

Navigating a proposal (audio)

Thinking out loud about navigating a proposal, how to do that successfully. Is there a best way? If you have a tip that works for you, please share.




A photo from the walk around downtown Franklin today where a truck load of curbing was getting ready to be offloaded.

curbing to be offloaded downtown Franklin
curbing to be offloaded downtown Franklin


Friday, April 08, 2016

resilience (audio)

thoughts on the topic of resilience on this Friday in April



The flower bed mentioned during the audio

today, will they come back?
today, will they come back?

Thursday morning still snow covered
Thursday morning still snow covered
From PodCamp WesternMass #8 (#PCWM8)

one of a series of photos by Seth Kaye
one of a series of photos by Seth Kaye
Follow the link to see more of Seth's photos from #PCWM8

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Get your ticket to PodCamp WesternMass now!

Only a couple of days left to get your ticket to the longest running PodCamp in New England. This gathering of practitioners and explorers is a good way to find out how to reach your customers and engage your community. Learn and share on the social media tools available. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn... 

This is where I go to learn about how to do more and to do better what I do in the social media arena! Join me on Saturday, Apr 2.

Take a day trip to Holyoke!



PodCamp WesternMass


Saturday, March 26, 2016

Stone wall reflections (audio)

On my walk through the Franklin Town Forest, I came upon an Eagle Scout project doing some trail work. That and the stone walls I find in these woods prompt the reflections as I think out loud and share my thoughts today.

Enjoy!





"Before I built a wall I'd ask to knowWhat I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offence."

The full text of Robert Frost's "Mending Wall" can be found here

two parallel walls at one point in the Franklin Forest
two parallel walls at one point in the Franklin Forest

Friday, March 18, 2016

Friday, March 11, 2016

Thinking out loud on this Friday (audio)


Thinking out loud on this Friday ... listening to the birds, traffic and other sounds around us this spring





the crocus are popping up through the mulch and ground cover
the crocus are popping up through the mulch and ground cover

Friday, March 04, 2016

3 quick things for today

A quick audio for today covering the 'Band of Brewers' bottling, PodCamp WesternMass coming along Apr 2, and my one year anniversary at John Hancock. Also interrupted by a hawk flying from tree to tree in the neighborhood.





1

The current 6 kettles that we took home to drink responsibly

  • Budman's best = A micro brewed Budwiser for those who need a born on date (blank)
  • Honey Snap Lager = A nice light bodied lager. It is crisp and smooth (H)
  • C U Latour Boch = ACBBD A nice chocolaty boch (C)
  • Off Kilter Scotch = Full-bodied & malty, a Scottish style strong ale (O)
  • Big heart IPA = Knock off of Bell's 2 Hearted IPA. Very aromatic & tasty (BH)
  • Emperor stout = Our Imperial style stout. Medium dry character (E)



2


Tickets for PodCamp WesternMass can be purchased through Eventbrite
http://bit.ly/PCWM8


3


If we are not connected via LinkedIn and we have met somewhere along the way, let's get connected there.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensherlock


And for today's photo, the amaryllis has given us much joy in its primary bloom but it is now declining rapidly...

amaryllis declining
amaryllis declining

Sunday, February 21, 2016

PodCamp returns to WesternMass on Apr 2, 2016

The Kittredge Center on the campus of Holyoke Community College will again be the site for the 8th PodCamp WesternMass.

This is the longest running PodCamp in New England!




I look forward to welcoming you to this event!

Friday, February 19, 2016

Remembering Feb 19

I did get a little emotional in this recording, it came up and I couldn't hold it off. One item I did leave out is that while Dad/Jerry landed on on Iwo Jima Feb 19th, it was also the day he left us 4 years ago.




Jerry's Story can be found here   http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/

remembering Feb 19th and the landing on Iwo Jima
remembering Feb 19th and the landing on Iwo Jima

Story Corps can be found online here  https://storycorps.org/

Monday, February 15, 2016

TED Talks coming to you Live!

Have you seen a TED Talk video?

Would you like to see some of the talks live rather than wait for the video to be released?

For the first time, this is now available. You don't need to go to the TED location, they are broadcasting to theaters near you.

These are the speakers scheduled for Monday night, Feb 15

TED Talks Live  -2/15/16
TED Talks Live  -2/15/16

You can find tickets at a theater near you  http://www.tedtalksincinemas.com/

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Cold February Morning (audio)

Recorded Saturday morning but I missed the window to have this posted on Saturday, so it is a 'day late' but still freshly cold!






Spruce Pond, not far from the house is cold this morning
Spruce Pond, not far from the house is cold this morning


The link for the listing of beers made by the "Band of Brewers" can be found here
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2016/02/band-of-brewers-6-kettles.html

If you are in eastern MA and can get to Deja Brew, it is a good place to do your brewing!
http://www.deja-brew.com/

(and how cold is it this morning? yowza, coldest real temp I have seen in my lifetime!)

yes, that reads -13.0 degrees F
yes, that reads -13.0 degrees F


Band of Brewers - 6 Kettles

With the 6 kettles that the 'Band of Brewers' did on Thursday evening at Deja Brew, we now have a total of 280 kettles, 135 unique beers.

The listing in declining order (and across by year) of our top beers can be seen in the table below.

Scroll across and down to view it all.






the kettle line up at Deja Brew
the kettle line up at Deja Brew


We return in three weeks to bottle and take home the brew to enjoy it responsibly.

Monday, February 01, 2016

endings and beginnings


Reflections on the end of the first month of the new year 2016




Franklin Line heading into the tunnel in Franklin
Franklin Line heading into the tunnel in Franklin

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Lasagna after shoveling

A quick Google search turned up this lasagna recipe and it sounded good. Of course, I made a few modifications along the way but it did come out delicious.


Slow-Cooker Vegetable Lasagna
Yield: 8 servings


  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 8 to 9 lasagna noodles (preferably whole wheat)
  • ¾ cup green peas, thawed if frozen
  • 3 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 3 cups sliced zucchini (from about 3 to 4 small zucchini)
  • 3 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish


Original recipe (and preparation instructions can be found here)
https://www.yahoo.com/food/food-slow-cooker-vegetable-lasagna-134934350.html


just turned on to cook
just turned on to cook

Steve's modifications

  • The noodles were regular lasagna as that was what we had on hand and we need to clear the shelf.
  • I used one summer squash (yellow) along with two zucchini to add a little color variety.
  • I also used a package of the Al Fresco chicken meatballs (tomato and basil). The meatballs I sliced to make the layering easier (less lumpy).

I like this recipe as it was much easier overall. Slicing the zucchini, thawing the peas and meatballs received some forethought so they were ready when I was. Then it was a matter of building the layers in the crock pot turning it on and waiting for it be to be ready.

delicious, some for freezing and some for leftovers this week
delicious, some for freezing and some for leftovers this week

Nothing like a one pot meal that tastes great and is healthy!