Mercury State

July 23, 2008

Not Getting Things Done

The most important part of Getting Things Done (GTD) is not getting things done. The part of the process where you ask yourself if something actionable, there are time when the answer is no. I'll be brave and venture to guess that the answer is more often no.

If you don't have a good system for processing the noes, the noes will creep back into your head-space. No should mean no. When no action is needed on your part, you have to trust that your system will handle no as no.

Too often noes piles pile up waiting to be dealt with officially. One example is mail that needs to be shredded before going into the trash. Any mail that ends up in a pile that is "to be shredded" is not a true no. It's waiting to be off your list. One day when you dig out the paper shredder from the closet and shred that pile, then and only then will it be a valid no.

Noes need a home just as much as yeses. Noes can find a home as trash, an incubator, or reference file. Items that have no immediate action need to make a fully committed migration to their new home. Items that are trash are done when they are in the can.

Items that are on a some-day or a maybe-list need special attention because they occupy the most head-space. These are typically wild ideas and concepts that are appealing and interesting. Some day it would be wild fun to restore a classic car... and while it is fun to daydream about that, it is best to note it in your incubator and move onto what needs to happen now. Your incubator is there for your review as often as needed; the ideas will not be lost.

Reference materials are a pain due to volume. The items that we collect as samples or reference pile up fast than they can be filed... leaving piles everywhere. One of the more difficult part of reference materials is the lack of consistency in size and shape. For paper based materials, sometime converting to a standard size is the most helpful; this can be done with a simple Xerox. For large and odd items, a digital photo may be all you need. Aggressively seek to get items filed before the piles bury you.

While the rest of the world is struggling to get ahead by focusing on the yeses, refine how you handle your noes. The impact can be huge, particularly for those with a real handle in the yes-side of things.

July 22, 2008

Frati Grand Opening

Italians know how to throw a party. The grand open and birthday party for Anthony was nothing short of awesome. They had food, drinks and free gelato. Frati is already my favorite place in downtown Fullerton... and it just moved up the list. If you haven't been there, you are simply missing out.

July 21, 2008

Forget Your List

Mondays have to be the worst day of the week to have a to-do list. You are almost guaranteed to have a million interruptions, which will unquestionably adjust your list. Mondays are for building lists; maybe have a starter list for the week, but don't waste your time or mental energy thinking that you will actually get something done on a Monday

July 20, 2008

Another Day at the Beach

What an absolutely awesome day... we started with walking to Ruby's for breakfast with Manders. While the girls went shopping, I snapped off over 100 photographs and snuck in a cigar. We fired up the grill for some hot dogs, one of my summer favorites. On a whim, we decided to hit Sprinkle and then the beach. Sitting on a cliff overlooking the ocean is the best way to enjoy a cupcake. Later that evening, I got to smoke a cigar with Nick... and break the law by jumping some railing and short-cutting across a roof to a private patio. Just another wicked day in Southern California.

July 19, 2008

Annual Family Reunion

Drove up to El Capitan State Beach for the annual family beach party. It was a new location and a new vibe.

Typically the party is somewhere in south Orange County. The family "voted" to have it somewhere more "exotic" this year so we ended up about a half-hour north of Santa Barbara. I wasn't thrilled about the drive, but the location was well worth it. It was far less crowded and much cleaner. The sand area was small and there was a great BBQ area that was nearly inches from the water.

The weather was absolutely amazing with a high of 71 and partly cloudy. By far the best weather we've ever had for the party.

I was a bit bummed that the party shrank from nearly 40 people to 4 people. I know gas isn't cheap, but it was crazy for most the family to back out... a bit disappointing. The vibe was pretty rockin' though. With the smaller group, the conversation were a lot deeper, everything stayed on schedule and decisions were easy.

July 18, 2008

Open Frucci

Today was the Frucci grand opening... and ribbon cutting (I still don't understand how they are different). I swear that we've been waiting nearly a year for the place to open. It was pretty slick to see all of the local officials come out and present the business owner with various certificates... even one from a Congressman. Not that it will help the business run any better, but it's still cool.

The one things that really stood out to me while enjoying our first Frucci was how the environment inside is versus outside. It is quite impressive. If you're a Fullerton local, go hit it up and tell me if you experience the same thing.

I'm not going to say much about the yogurt... cause I'm not expert. There are people that live and die by the stuff, so I'll let them do the reviews... I'm just spreading the news.

July 17, 2008

One of the Girls

I've been dubbed "one of the girls". I can be frequently found hanging out with a group of ladies in the Beer & Wine Garden at the Fullerton Market. I guess being raised in a primarily female family will do that to a man. I've always felt more comfortable hanging out with the girls... not to mention having a hell of a lot more fun. Watch sports and drink beer versus go shopping? You'll find me shopping.

Maybe I'm a metro without the hair products. Who knows? Not me... I just know what I know, and do what I prefer.

July 16, 2008

Chopped

Trying desperately not to be so stressed at work. There is just so much to do... and it seems to grow fast. As part of my stress reduction program, I'm trying to figure out what things I can cut... at least short term... to free up some mental health. Sadly, I think guitar is number one on the chopping board. Of the things that I need to learn, guitar just isn't on the list. Maybe I can get back into it within a year.

What's next?

July 15, 2008

Gniteem

Meetings. Meeting about meetings. Meetings for the sake of meetings. Too many meetings.

I really have decided that meetings have to be one of the most over used business devices for claiming to get anything done. Meetings are used a substitute for being prepared and planning out projects. Meetings are also used as excuses for delaying projects. It baffles me how the people who are in the greatest rush to see progress are the people that like to have the most progress-stopping meetings. Meetings are also addictive... there is a certain buzz in some meetings that is desired, in other cases the zoning-out desired... both addictive.

Meetings have there place; they are indeed needed in some cases. However, all the talking about it will not get a project done. In many cases, a half hour spent writing a well-formed email or document can save hours of unproductive meeting time.

So before you request a meeting, think about the damage you might be causing.

July 14, 2008

Cute Little Trees

Been about a year since I purchased my Birkenstocks. I've gone from liking them to loving them. I rarely wear other shoes... which has made my sock usage near zero. My feet feel great after long walks and feel good to have the freedom to kick off my shoes as needed.

It wasn't the easiest transition, the hardest parts were: a) the first 2 weeks of the shoes. The first week is not comfortable at all... and it gets better into the second. Once broken in, it feels like they were made for your feet. b) Learning to drive again. It was a massive adjustment going from a lifetime of wearing skateboard shoes — mainly Vans — to driving in sandals.

Sadly, my Vans have nearly been retired. It is either the Birks or my new Ecco's... I know it sounds like I hug cute little trees in my spare time and rescue spotted owls... but it really is all about a great shoe experience.

July 13, 2008

Clean Spanglish

After filling up my car, I figure why not get a car wash too... it's roughly the same price as a gallon of gas, so no big deal. I was only the third car in line; I figured it would be quick and painless. It was nearly painless and not so quick.

First, I thought something was wrong when the car in front of me didn't quite pull up to the ticket machine. A lady then rolled down her window and tried to reach the machine... that was about 5 feet away. She then pulled a little closer and tried to reach again... still a good 2 feet outside of arms' reach. She pulled in super close — about 6 inches from the machine — and tried to open her door. Fail. At this point I knew I was screwed... but I had already pre-paid.

Next... she started feeding dollar bills into the machine. I knew it was possible, but everyone always pre-pays at the pump. You know the drama that she had trying to get the machine to take her money... so I won't bother to explain.

Roughly a year later, she pulls into the car wash. Stops. Pulls forward. Stops. Reverse lights come on... things were about to get bad, so I back up trying to give the lady room. She pulls forward. Stops. Pulls forward stops. Reverse lights again. This happens about 5 times... and then a guy gets out of the car and heads towards me. I know what he's going to ask... and I know he doesn't speak English.

I pull out my best Spanglish and try to explain how he needs to "mas" until "verde es rojo" which is just one more bump forward. He yells back "mas verde" with glee and runs for his car. They pull forward until the light turns red and life is good... almost.

Their car wash ends. They don't move. They sit. They stay. I'm thinking... should I honk? They finally roll forward, but stop at the dryer that is seemingly in their way... and they wait until it stops and goes back up. Then they roll on.

Having entered my car wash code nearly two years ago... I swoop in wash, dry and roll. I see them again on the other side of the parking lot drying their car with towels... and waving at me in thanks.

God save the queen.

July 12, 2008

Demanding Motivation

One thing that will continue to bother me — until the day I die — is how people think that pressuring or demanding short deadlines will magically make involved tasks happen faster. Since I am in a field that this constantly happens, I'm very sensitive to the issue when requesting services from other fields... particularly ones that I don't understand.

Houses are not built overnight, nor are complicated websites. You might be able to get a dog house built in a day, but not a multi-user, ecommerce, search-driven mega-site.

This frustration becomes compounded when the person demanding things, doesn't quite know what they want or haven't thought out the details. If you don't what you want... I can't possibly build it for you.

July 11, 2008

Good Note

It was a long week that was full of craziness, chaos and more meetings that anyone should have to endure. However, it all ended on a good note.We had been working most the week on some documentation for a meeting that went very well. We also tried a few new things as far as workflow at the office that seemed to be a step in the right direction. And to end the week perfectly, Ong and I enjoyed a good cigar, cold beverage and good reading in the perfect weather... ending with the sounds from the Disneyland fireworks.

Life is good even when it gets a little tough.

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