What a gorgeous weekend

I am hard pressed to remember a 4th of July or any other holiday weekend when there was such an absolutely perfect stretch of weather. Sitting outside yesterday and reading was an absolute joy and it made me realize just how much I missed the sun during the month of June. The sun felt so absolutely divine that I was so sorry to see it set at night. The best part of all I think was that in atypical New England fashion, we did not jump from winter right into summer. No this glorious interlude helped us relax and break ourselves into the routine and it was fantastic!

Now being the sports nut that I am and the devoted Red Sox fan, I have to say that while I was thrilled with all the Red Sox who made the American League All Star team, the inclusion of Tim Wakefield was in my mind the perfect cherry on top of the sundae that was the week that just passed. Wakefield has pitched in the bigs for 17 years and never made the All-Star game and not only does he deserve the trip to St. Louis this year but I think it is long over due. In this era where you have to do only one thing as a pitcher and nothing more, Wakefield has done everything the Red Sox ever asked him to do! Great job Wake!

I was fascinated by Sarah Palin quitting as Alaska governor. According to an interview I saw with a Vanity Fair writer, Palin did a very poor job in the McCain campaign and made very few friends and admirers among national Republican parties. Personally I thought she was a long shot if she ran in 2012 and I think this action killed any shot she ever had. And let's not forget that she has a number of ethical clouds hanging over her and there were strong doubts that she would be re-elected to serve another term in 2010 in Alaska.

I have to also say how horrified I am over the 8 people killed in traffic accidents on the 4th of July. By and large they included two things, alcohol and speed/not wearing seat belts. There are two things I think of when I see drunk driving accidents. First, if the driver survives, and they usually do, and is drunk then they have committed murder just as if they put a gun to the person's head and pulled the trigger. Send them to prison for life and you will see less DUI. Second, if you test over the limit you lose your licence to you finish your trial. Currently in Massachusetts its 30 days. Third, we need the auto manufacturers to construct a system that will not turn over the ignition unless the seat belt is engaged. The technology is there why isn't it being used? Just like the technology to have anti-lock breaks and air bags. Make it mandatory!

Well today is a hard day for people because we're all back to work so enjoy the nice weather!

Recovering from July 4th!

July 4th is without a doubt one of my favorite holidays! For one thing it celebrates the founding of the greatest country in the history of the world! But I also like the fact that it is a holiday where the focus is also on having fun without getting dressed up or having to do a lot of shopping or anything like that. Yesterday was a day that was so ultimately perfect one couldn't have hoped for anything better. After nearly a solid month of drizzle and downpours and temperatures more often found in April, we had a solid, sunny and warm day that made you realize how gorgeous a summer can be in New England.

The other great thing about July 4th is all the fireworks. Newton usually has a great show and while I will say last night's show was fun and interesting, it was much more restrained than in years past. Maybe it was budgetary but I think it was yet another example of Mayor Cohen's getting even with the voters who refused to push through another tax increase last year. I also can not believe that the fair at the playground did not have a french fry stand. I was really looking forward towards a random dose of heart stopping deep fried starch.

There were lots of items on the menu but the best by far was the brisket we received from Tennessee BBQ. It was moist and very succulent and the sauce added just the right compliment to the brisket. The usual holiday desserts were there and boy they were good as well!

So luckily today is a day to just relax and take things easy. I think digestion is the word of the day! I will not ruin the day by talking about the Red Sox!

Happy Independence Day

OK now I am a stickler for using proper language and diction when speaking so the correct way to announce one's celebration of today is not to say Happy July 4th but Happy Independence Day. That is the name of today's holiday. It's a tad ironic too since the Articles of Independence were approved on July 2 and only signed by a handful of the members of the Continental Congress on July 4. I can't recall the exact date but I believe it was August until the majority of the members had signed and 1778 when the last signature was affixed.

I do enjoy this period in American history and find it a fascinating time. While these men did a wonderful job with what they created, they are the perfect example of the law of unintended consequences. When they said "All Men are Created Equal" they were thinking of white men and obviously did not consider Blacks or Native Americans among their equals. Still the message they created was one that espoused equality and the chance to let each individual be judged by the content of the character. What they created was far from perfect but if the Founding Father's got one thing right it is that they were wise enough to realize they did not have all the answers and gave future generations the chance to make changes when and where need be.

I love the 4th of July with the BBQ's and Fireworks and even the Patriotic music. I love how this is a day when many new people decide to join the family that is American citizenship. I love how this is a day when people can be proud to be American and can also enjoy all of the benefits of that citizenship which can mean sitting on a beach if that's what you choose. Because America has always been at its core about making a choice or a decision. Be it right or wrong, we have freedom to make it. So Happy Independence Day everyone!

An interesting question about good writing

I was speaking with someone about writing yesterday and the question came up, "how does a professional writer create something worth while? We all have a fantastic idea that writers are budding Hemingway's or Shakespeare's and that is far from the pale in what real business writers should be aiming for, and is also far from an ideal that any writer wishes to aim for. The easy answer to this type of question is that there is no easy answer. Most professional writing comes from the assignment of a task and is often involved in the execution of a greater mission and for better or worse that makes it easier to get started. I can't say that makes the job easier but it removes much of the questioning from the process.

The other factor that I have seen ruin good writing is the perfect example of the old cliche about too many cooks ruining the pot. I have seen way too many circumstances where a draft while not perfect, is sent to others for review and comment. Each person decides they want to add their own inputs to the draft and more often than not consider the document incomplete unless their inputs are made. At the same time, these people are loath to offer any input during the drafting stage when input would be far more powerful and helpful. Of course keeping egos in check is always a challenge. I recall one senior executive who said to me that his quote didn't make him sound statesman enough and I told him that he wasn't a statesman. Honesty is so rare in the office these days.

Went on a run to Framingham and Natick yesterday and had the chance to stop by Casey's Diner in Natick for lunch. For those who don't know Casey's and have not had the privilege of eating there yet it is simply a joy. Small and family run, with maybe a dozen seats inside and some of the best hot dogs you will ever eat. Give me a place like this as opposed to the McDonald's or what have you in the world today.

Three things have me very happy today. The first is that John Lester pitched wonderfully again and the Sox won 4-0. Granted it was against the Orioles who are for all purposes a AAA ball club. I also won a free appetizer at the local Irish pub by knowing all three John Cusack/Jeremy Piven movies. Lastly, Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in jail yesterday. The men received all the mercy he deserved in my opinion. He was worse than a thief and in some cases killed people more violently than if he beat them with a club. My hope is that he live a long life behind bars and enjoy every view of those cold concrete walls.

Speaking of cold, I hope the weather turns before much longer. Supposedly it is going to be nice on July 4th. I will believe that when I see it!