Well, it wasn’t exactly on Chirstmas – but it was our celebration for Colleen’s family.
We enjoyed some wonderful sub-zero temperatures at a hotel on Clear Lake, in Clear Lake, Iowa. There were some gorgeous views – but the temps. Brrrrrrrrrr.
Good thing they had an indoor pool. Nash was being his silly self and hit the water at one point in his clothes.
Kale and Nash both had a Christmas recital this year on December 24, 2009 – lots of practice was had and they did a great job.
Here is Kale’s version of “Oh Holy Night”
Nash plays “When Santa Clause gets your letter”
The boys and Colleen headed to the Solon Library tonight to make a gingerbread house. I had to say at work late and hit Menards on the way home, but I was able to catch up to them…
Here is their handywork.
Nash, Dade and Kale with the newly constructed Gingerbread house.
The boys took place in a cool little cross country meet put on yesterday at the school. I think it was an apptempt at getting more people interested in the sport. They had a nice showing of people and the boys had a great time.
Kale just before the finish line.
Dade is still going, just before the finish line.
"How much more?" says Nash.
Cousin Ryan too.
Colleen has more pictures on the “real” camera – but here are some I took as they finished with my phone. The weather was gorgeous and it was fun for everyone.
How do you clear your mind?
The best place for me is the shower – that is where I am the most creative and can usually solve problems. There must be something with the sound of the water and concept that nobody can really disrupt you. I should try an artificial water sound track, see if I can replicate.
I have also found that a nice motorcycle ride will do that for me. Not quite as well because you have to pay attention – but good.
Here is an article I found on about.com:
Like many things in life, letting go of negative emotions and clearing your mind is easier said than done. With these tips and some practice, however, you’ll learn how to clear your mind in a way that works for you, and enjoy what life has to offer right now.
- Try Meditation.
- Cultivate Mindfulness.
- Try Expressive Writing.
- Distract Yourself.
These are some ideas – what do you use?
How to be Unstoppable – Qrimp Blog.
This is an awesome video that was shot at a music festival and really goes to show how social media works? What you say? A video on how social networking works?
This is just plain cool. Randall, the author, has posted some great information to become unstoppable. Here are the high points – but give it a read:
- The first thing you have to figure out is what’s your problem.
- Simply put, internal motivation is necessary if you want to be unstoppable.
- The best kind of pains to solve are the kinds of pains other people have.
- Let go of social interference
- Do you have the skills to solve your problem? (Live with it or hire it out)
- Once you have found our pain and are beginning to solve your pain, nothing else matters. Competition doesn’t matter
- Fear nothing
It goes on – and it is good. Check it out. Heres the video that started it all – if you’re antsy, jump ahead to 5 minutes in.
4 Myths of Social Media Ministry – ChurchCrunch.
True for church and other businesses too.
“Social Media Ministry is something you should definitely be doing in your Church and/or organization. There’s pretty much no one that would argue against it.”
My dad, buddy and all around cool guy passed away this week. Being an only child – him and I spent a lot of time together.
Here’s a copy of the obituary from the newspaper:Altman, Arthur Ruben
Photo
Arthur Ruben Altman, 1947-2009
Arthur Ruben Altman, 61, of Solon, died Saturday, April 18, 2009, in his home from a heart condition. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Brosh Chapel in Solon, where there will be full military rites conducted by Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel. A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date. Brosh Chapel in Solon is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur was born Dec. 6, 1947, in Solon, the son of Ruben and Elnora (Heinsins) Altman. He married Carlene D. Long on Aug. 24, 1971. Art was an avid Volkswagen fan and enjoyed attending many different VW shows when he could. Art’s favorite moments were with his three grandsons.
Arthur is survived by his son, Tom (Colleen) Altman of Solon; grandsons, Kale, Nash and Dade; sister, Leona Toussaint; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Long.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Carlene Altman on July 6, 2000.
We’ll miss ya Dad – please keep a place for us. Love, tom 
So, my buddy Jason gives me crap everyday for my multiple twitter names: @vwtom and @tomaltman He gives me this round of balony becuase I am a knuclehead. How was I to know you could change usernames on twitter. I’ve been a web programmer for 10 years – I’ve never built a system where you could change usernames. But Twitter did.
All I was trying to do was “unify” my “social media profiles”. I have been using tomaltman as my handle for most things – and thought it would be good to have that on Twitter too. So, it was a good as time as any to change. I searched and secured the new name, walked though my Twitter friends list and got it all moved over…and boom. Jason and @WagsTV are like – yea, you can just change it.
I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t believe it. How could I be so stupid – it remind me of some of the “old media” types I work with. I assumed I knew you couldn’t change the username. But I didn’t know what I didn’t know. All I would have had to do was ask some people around me – and they would have told me. But I assumed I knew better – because I was the WEB guy.
How stupid and narrow minded was that? I acted like a jerk – mostly because I wasn’t open minded enough to ask – hell, I talk to Jason multiple times a day, but I didn’t ask…and now I’m a knuclehead.
I think newspapers need to realize they are acting like knucleheads. Admit we’re not sure what to do. Listen to the people on the front lines, yup – managers you’ll have to allow and empower those people to do what they think is right. And most of all – gather all the young,hip, cool kids in the company and ask them what they would do. Trust me, the information and just plain seat of the pants feelings they have is money – and if we don’t listen, we’re not going to make it.
Seth’s Blog: Personal branding in the age of Google.
Woah…so I guess my questions is, isn’t it better to know? Would we ever hire anyone if we knew everything?
