SoulPancake (video)

Two strangers
A box of plastic balls
Some question prompts



And as Liz Strauss says "you're only a stranger once!"

Enjoy!


Thanks to two of my heros for sharing this on Facebook (Kirk Weisler and Chris Brogan)!

DejaBrew: roiling boil (video)

The Band of Brewers were at DejaBrew on Friday night brewing up six kettles. One old favorite (Goibniu) and five new beers were our selection this time. I can hardly wait to see what they taste like. They certainly sound great.


Goibniu = A Great rendition of a true Scottish Ale
Ludwig Brau = Nice and smooth Octoberfest style beer… Yep, ACBBD
Ron’s Redhook ESB = Our version of the Redhook ESB
SN Robust Porter = A dark porter with a creamy head, and malty smooth finish
Steel Rail Pale Ale = Knock off of BBC's flagship beer. An excellent brew
Saranick's Black & Tan = It defies description. A knockoff of Saranac's black & tan. Stout & lager hybrid

I had the kettle with the Ludwig Brau. Here is a photo of it with a rolling boil just after the first hops were added.

And since a photo doesn't do the rolling boil justice, let's try a short video



Enjoy!

morning bird songs

listen to ‘morning bird songs ’ on Audioboo

Fun is not just child's play (video)

The thing that hasn’t changed, and I don’t think will ever change, is that the operative word in music is “play.” You have to have a playfulness about it. As the world shifts, it’s starting to understand more and more that to have a playfulness about any and everything is actually the way of having a better life, or being more creative, or being more productive. 

The rules are: The more playful we get, the more we can get rid of the rules.

Composer Hans Zimmer discussing VJam
From Bernie DeKoven


If that quote tickles your imagination, how about this one?

Children play whenever they can – as soon as their most urgent needs are met, and whenever they are not prevented from it. That ability to stay in the moment, to grasp opportunities for exploration, joy and challenge whenever possible, is probably what most people mean by the word “childlike”.  Morgan

And if you had fun with both of those quotes, you'll enjoy this video as Morgan and Bernie get together for a delightful conversation:

1st Anniversary

Time does fly.

One year ago today, Dad (Gerald Sherlock) left us to rejoin Mom (Rita) and dance together again. I am sure they are having a heck of time catching up on things.

I went back to quietpoet.com, to review my "visiting Dad" series of sherku. Only a minor modification to one was required (to settle the syllables better on the lines.) The sense and sentiment of the time I think I captured.

Those moments came back to me. I know where I was. I see and hear what was around me. Then but as if I was back there, as if it was all real again.

And yet, it is today, a year later.

Join me if you will.
Spend a few moments visiting with Dad.

The collection can be found here
http://www.quietpoet.com/2012/02/collection-visiting-dad.html



Jerry's Story has two special notes today
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2013/02/1st-anniversary.html

Make a difference

Getting around to this late today. Yes, it is a holiday here and I am treating myself to slightly different schedule for the day. So pull up a comfy spot and spend a few minutes with Shawna and Chris as they talk about making a difference.




I second the advice. It is tough enough being a Shawna Coronado or a Chris Brogan, just be yourself!

Detail signals good service

I recall a story by Danny Meyer, owner of several restaurants in NYC noted for good food and excellent service. He told of a signal set by the person who seated a party at their table. If they had been told of the daily specials, the salt and pepper shakers were positioned with the sugar dispenser in one way, if they hadn't been, they were positioned in the other way. A simple device, it depends upon consistency and discipline but can pay big dividends when the next person to the table doesn't have to repeat what has already been said.

At a family wedding, a similar device was used by the serving staff. As they distributed coffee cups to the table, people ask if they wanted coffee and if they wanted regular or decaf. If they wanted coffee, they got a cup and saucer and were then told to keep it upside down until the coffee server came around.

upside down cup indicates decaf coffee

The coffee servers when they came to each table were able to carry one carafe of coffee at a time. Better to serve easily without spilling, and they still saved time as they did not need to ask if the person wanted regular or decaf. That decision was already made and indicated by the position of the cup.

The coffee when it was served was both good and Hot!

What kind of signal can you set for your service delivery to help the delivery process?

It may take some time to work out but should provide you (and your customers) some lasting benefits!


For more on Danny Meyer, consider visiting the wikipedia page which is rich with links to follow

Valentine's Day 2013 (video)

A little Gatorade in a spray bottle and the snow recently deposited by Blizzard Nemo provides a good opportunity to create a Valentine's Day message.




home cooked dinner, flowers, and a sherku completed the package

I hope you were successful taking care of your love!

New work, new market, new opportunity

The nature of work has changed. The nature of finding work has changed. Those I think are accepted statements.

What can technology do to help? In addition to use of social media tools like LinkedIn and Twitter, there is also an opportunity to use software. Wingham Rowan explains in this TED Talk.

"Markets have changed beyond recognition in the last 20 years, but only for organizations at the top of the economy.” (Wingham Rowan)

Do the work!

Ira Glass on the creative process:




Nicely done....

Sounds like 10,000 hours doesn't it!


Thanks to Michelle for point this out

Wind sculpts the snow

The snow is both beautiful and dangerous.

The wind is continuing to sculpt the snow that it has delivered.

wind carved along the garage and house

wind carved on the open lawn

Snow in Franklin

Two videos from Friday, one earlier in the day, one later.

Snow just starting

I think we are as ready as we can be.

• I replaced the missing shear pin on the snow blower and started it up so I know it works.
• I brought some fire wood into use the fireplace
• I covered the firewood pile with a tarp in case we need more wood.
• I filled the bird feeders to give them some sustenance during the storm
• I ran longer this morning than I normally do during the week as I am working from home to avoid travel in the snow

snow status at 10:30 AM 2/8/13 in Franklin, MA

Stay tuned, stay safe!

Blizzard watch issued for eastern Massachusetts; 12-24 inches possible

Interesting how time and weather work their magic. 45 35 years ago yesterday, the Blizzard of '78 hit New England. In Pawtucket, where I grew up, we got buried with the most snow I had ever seen (and still have). The snow drifts by the side of the house were well over my head. And if you haven't seen me in person, I do stand 6'2" tall.

The fun part about the blizzard was that my father had been fond of teasing us by saying "go play in traffic". We lived on Division St and it was quite busy. We were very careful running across the street to retrieve a baseball that escaped our yard. With the blizzard blanketing the area, the traffic on i95 was buried in snow and we were able to sled down the hill across from APEX and onto i95. I wonder if anyone else will have that opportunity?

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Blizzard watch issued for eastern Massachusetts; 12-24 inches possible

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/6/13

The National Weather Service office in Taunton has issued a blizzard watch for eastern Massachusetts for late Thursday night through Saturday morning.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Grand Central Lights (video)

I have followed the exploits of ImprovEverywhere for several years. This event they conducted recently in Grand Central Station is creative, simple and well executed.




What can you think of doing in your area?



For additional ImprovEverywhere adventures http://improveverywhere.com/

Digital Giving in 2012

Network for Good has created this infographic to highlight some of the trends in digital giving.


This infographic is created by Network for Good

What do you take away from this?

Amaryllis - Day 45

If I counted properly, this is 45 days since it was planted. The blossoms don't last long. They are already beginning to fade.

amaryllis - day 45

How long are you in full bloom?

Allie and Brad - 1/26/13

Allie and Brad got married last week, hard to believe it is a week already! My brother Bob was able to capture this video of the ceremony at the last minute to share with Diane and others who could not make it to the ceremony.

It was a very nice event. I think this captures the ceremony very well.



The storybook story got off to a great start last week!

Calling for the Pantry!

Volunteers for the Franklin Food Pantry will be calling residents of Franklin, MA as part of a fundraising effort during specific time periods on Saturday, Feb 9, 2013. The volunteers will be using the phone bank at Dean College to call residents.  

The volunteers will announce that this is the 3rd annual phone call fundraising effort for the Food Pantry. The Pantry is looking to raise funds to provide for the over 600 individuals it services each month.

Franklin Food Pantry - new logo

Donors will be asked to make their contribution via credit card, or to make a pledge. The pledge will result in regular mail sent to their address which can be returned via the mail with a check, or the check could be dropped off at the Pantry during operating hours.

If using a credit card, donors will be asked to visit the Food Pantry website and make a secure transaction with their credit card. The website can be found at http://franklinfoodpantry.org/

Note that the volunteer calls will appear as “Dean College” for those with caller ID.
The Food Pantry thanks Dean College for the gracious access to their phone bank for this fundraiser.

Volunteers to make the phone calls are still welcome. There are several time slots to choose from. If you would like to help with this effort, please call the Food Pantry.

Saturday, Feb 9th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.


For additional information on the campaign, contact Bob Hamilton at the Franklin Food Pantry. Telephone Number: 508-528-3115. Bob can also be reached via email at bob@franklinfoodpantry.org



Note: yes, this is the new logo for the Franklin Food Pantry. You will see more of it as the Pantry continues to spread the word about the good work it does for our Franklin neighbors.