Once again, I have deviated from my plans for the week. But guess what? I’m retired and I have the freedom to do that, as long as the JDs get done (for those of you who missed an earlier post, a JD is a Judy Demand . . those are the things Judy wants me to do NOW!). Besides, the weather has not been very conducive to outside work. I know this seems like a repeating excuse, but it is winter don’t you know!
Santa
Before I get into the “heavy” thoughts, I did get a few more Christmas things printed. I found this neat Christmas Santa design. As you can see in the picture, it has 2 numbered blocks, which are rotated to show how many days until Christmas. I also experimented with an intricate ornament. Having difficulty getting it to print, I exchanged a number of emails with the printer manufacturer in China. They were very helpful and the ornament is starting to look very nice. I told you these printers can be finicky so it’s good to find a brand that is well supported either by the manufacture, an online user group or both.
Ornament
Now for the heavy stuff. As you may know, I start most days by taking care of the animals followed by a couple of cups of coffee and some toast. While drinking my coffee, I browse the internet for topics of interest. It just so happens that via a number of hyperlinks, I came upon a free webinar on system thinking. System thinking has been an interesting topic to me for some time and how could I pass up something that is FREE! I won’t take the time to provide a detailed explanation of system thinking but you can think of it like this. Think about the parts of a car. The engine, transmission, wheels, brakes, etc. If you built each component to the very highest specifications independently, put them together, the car probably wouldn’t work because they weren’t designed to work together (they are not a system). The same can be said for people. You can take the best players in a sport, put them together, but if they are not a team, they most likely won’t win. This concept applies to many things in everyday life. How do you integrate parts into a system or how do get a system to work using the right combination of parts?
The seminar started at 7:30 am and I am usually up well before that time. However, that night, I didn’t sleep very well, so I missed the starting time. I tuned in when the first speaker was completing their talk. Honestly, I am not too good at listening to talks. It takes some folks too long to make their point and I get impatient waiting for the “meat” as they say. So what do I do instead you may ask? Or maybe you didn’t ask, so I will tell you anyway. I’m taking awhile to get to the meat too, but at least I hope the suspense has caught your attention
I look the speaker up on the internet and see what they have written and/or if they have a website. I then quickly scan their ideas to see if something that “floats my boat” or if I need to move on to something else.
Even people I am not crazy about sometimes have things to say that I feel I need to hear. It seems to me that we’ve gotten so politically correct as a society, that many folks cannot even say what truly needs to be said anymore. I walk a fine line here. I know how Judy feels about this blog and I know how she respects her readers. There was a website I came across and the guy did have a couple of articles I found interesting and thought provoking but there was a lot that was more offensive than I would have preferred. I have to admit, even me, being an Italian from New York, who grew up in a construction family, was a bit taken back by some of his language.
It seems we all need to try to look at things from the other person’s perspective, and maybe even discuss how/why they feel the way they do, so long as it all remains respectful. We don’t have to agree but there’s almost always something to be learned, even if it is simply seeing why the person thinks the way they think.
w jordan says
Vince I love your post each week. I’m just amazed the printer will make things like this. I do know a group of 2nd graders here in our area New Caney or Splendora I think)( got together and made a arm for a little boy in their class . See they had been given a printer and teacher came with with this idea since the little boy couldn’t afford one .They wanted him to be able to do more . These are interesting machines in loads of ways.Can’t wait to see more. By the way my grandfather mad me Barbie furniture for me out of wood. That was when Barbie first came out telling my age now Must be a grandfather thing..
Linda in Texas says
Well Vince, you got me. I have been reading Judy’s blog for years and was interested in what your perspective would be (like Judy, I have a husband with a very interesting brain). I read Judy’s blog every day but I must admit (don’t tell Judy) I am looking forward to your next thought process. Perhaps it is the left brain/right brain that makes it such an interesting way men have of expressing themselves. I am looking forward to more!
Linda in NE says
I’ve been enjoying your posts, Vince. This one kind of hit the nail on the head about presentations & talks. I remember that stuff from my librarian days. So many times our “educational opportunities” just drug on and on before we were presented with a morsel of useful information. I’d much rather quickly read through something written by the speaker & pick out that useful bit of information without having to listen to all the drivel.
Jackie says
I learn something new every time I read your posts. I’m with you as far as talks go, cut the fluff and get to the meat and potatoes otherwise I’m bored.
Donna says
Love the Christmas decorations! Your posts about the 3D printer all go over my head but I enjoy seeing what you create! I love the pink Barbie furniture! Your post about the Harry razors really hit home with me. My husband too has a thick beard and uses a shaving brush. We have been buying the expensive blades at Sam’s for years and years! After your post, I bought him the razor and blades. He just recently started using them after all the expensive blades ran out. He has adjusted to the new razor and has only positive things to say! We also enjoy the savings! Thank you for that post! I enjoy reading both you and Judy’s post!
Patricia Anderson says
Unfortunately, the right to have your own opinion isn’t common like it used to be…we were taught that everyone has the right to their own opinion, but my FORMER beautician actually yelled at me for disagreeing with her politically…thus, she is my former beautician. Thanks for an interesting post Vince!
Nelle Coursey says
This seems like a very interesting topic! Your posts have been very respectful. There are some people who think cursing or using bad language is expected or maybe they are using it as shock value. Whichever it is, I don’t like it either. I worked at the Texas Youth Commission and I had to type all those incident reports word for word and I could not change any of it. Those are legal documents! I never cursed before I started there and I think it may have something to do with who you are around. I try to control it, but sometimes it slips out! LOL I don’t like listening to people who curse all the time. Kind of grates on my nerves!!
Mary says
I enjoy your posts and am fascinated by this new printer. I have so many questions like, how do you get the colors, what material is used, etc. i could understand how something could be made of paper but your things look like plastic. Time to learn something new. Thanks.
Bon says
I love the Christmas things. Amazing what that printer can do.
I look forward to your post every Sunday. Always interesting.
Have a good week.
cassews says
Unfortunately, we will never know how the other person thinks as we have never walked a mile in their shoes(we just had a friend who committed suicide today and we thought we all knew him). Political correctness is sometimes a necessity, but getting to the point of it all is also a necessity.
Keep the thought provoking posts coming Vince, glad the printer is working for you !!!
dezertsuz says
Thanks for your interesting perspective on things, Vince. I’m always impatient to get to the point, too! Your ornament looks great to me, and the advent Santa is so appealing. Keep finding enjoyable ways to spend your time and your thinking.
Rebecca in SoCal says
I re-posted a meme on Facebook with the sentiment that rather than avoiding talking about sensitive subjects, we could all benefit from learning how to discuss them politely.
Also, I am of the opinion that if you don’t like what someone is saying (say, in a blog), then you can pass it by. It’s so simple!