Thank You Tim Berners-Lee

Not too long ago the World Wide Web celebrated its 20th birthday!  With how dependent businesses, students, families, governments around the world have become it’s hard to believe it’s only 20.

The ability to gather information, educate, distract (lots of distraction) and travel to distant places and cultures without ever leaving your home.  The Internet breaks down walls as never before and can bring to life places and people in ways that books or magazines can’t.

Learn more about the Civil War, see pictures of cats with silly captions, see the world’s great thinkers explain weighty matters, calculate how many micrograms in an ounce, watch art being made, brush up on your geometry, look up the box score of the 1927
World Series – you name it and there’s a good chance it’s available.  The only requirement from you, the user, is a bit of imagination (how to find things) and a discerning eye (recognize what’s fact and what’s fiction).

Much to the chagrin of some that are close to me, I find myself wandering in and out of the Internet from time to time searching, learning, crying and laughing.

Maybe it should have been named the World Wide Time Suck, but I suppose that’s not too scholarly.

Yesterday I found myself a bit off the beaten track and in the course of 30 minutes there were tears in my eyes – tears of sorrow and tears generated by some of the funniest improv comedy separated by just a few mouse clicks.

I double dog dare you not to cry during or after watching these two videos.

First the tears of joy…

Then the other kinds of tears…

Click here – CNN

So, despite being a complete vortex into which time disappears, as Warden Norton said in Shawshank Redemption, “like a fart in the wind”, (thank you IMDB.com)  I embrace the Internet and all it has to offer.  It can never replace human interaction, but it can be an enlightening, educational, virtual encyclopedia that can bring our world closer together.

Of course, it can also teach us those life lessons that you used to be able to only learn from the “older kid down the block”.

Like the time my son wanted to build a potato cannon and I had no idea where to begin.  Without the Internet we would never have had that time together launching russets.

This IS Intended to be a Factual Statement!

I think it is fascinating to read/watch the official response from an organization or individual following a public mistake. In the last week there were two examples that I think show how to respond and how not to respond to an error.

On the floor of the United States Senate Sen. John Kyl in a speech about the budget battle matter-of-factly stated the following; “…if you want an abortion you go to Planned Parenthood. And that’s well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does.” Of course anyone who knows anything about Planned Parenthood recognized the gross misrepresentation of the facts and the press was quick to point it out to his staff.

This is where it got interesting. Misstatements happen, but it’s the response that sets you apart. His staff issued a statement the next day that the Senator’s comments were “not intended to be a factual statement.”

That’s the best they could come up with? Try admitting your error and while Senator Kyl could never go so far as to praise their mission, (which is ok – stand up for what you believe) he could recognize their political differences while admitting his error.  For instance,  “While fundamentally I am opposed to many aspects of Planned Parenthood’s mission and services, I regret the factual error I made during my speech on the floor of the United States Senate regarding their services.”

Unfortunately for Senator Kyl and his staff, their response was immediately picked up by every major news organization including The Colbert Report where they did a masterful job of poking fun at the Senator and his staff. 

It’s no secret that news, good or bad, as well as funny videos or photos travel quickly around the world these days.  Easy to use Social media outlets have enabled millions of AP News correspondents wannabees who just can’t wait to Tweet or post the next funny/embarrassing/moving event.  Colbert is no different and has been fanning the flame to extend his reach Tweeting non-fact after non-fact with the Twitter hashtag #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. 

Senator Kyl is leaving office next year after 18 years in the United States Senate and 8 years in the House of Representatives.  I’d wager a few dollars that the one thing anyone outside of the State of Arizona remembers about him will be this episode.  Not sure that’s how he wants to be remembered.

On the other hand, the United States Postal Service was also in the news last week and their response, as well as statements from the other organizations involved was wonderful. The Post Office unveiled a new Forever stamp featuring a close up picture of the Statue of Liberty. One problem – the photo they selected was of the Statue of Liberty replica at New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Post Office could have played ignorant, blamed someone within or outside the department, but after printing over 3 billion stamps they recognized that the ‘blame someone else’ defense made little sense. Externally they faced the music and provided an honest statement that reinforced their history of achievement and accepted responsibility for the mistake. “We certainly regret having made the error. Our track record is excellent for this as far as we’re concerned. We’ve been issuing stamps since 1847 and very few errors have occurred over the years. The image is accurate, just of the Vegas version, not the one in New York, but we love the stamp and would have chosen this photograph anyway.”

After first reading the story and follow-up I commented to a colleague I would love to be in charge of communications for MGM today. What an opportunity! Not too surprisingly they took advantage of the situation for their benefit, but in a professional and creative manner. “We all thought that the Post Office was honoring just one great American institution, but in reality it was honoring two — The Statue of Liberty and Las Vegas — with just one stamp. Regardless of how it came about, New York-New York is honored to be the first Las Vegas casino resort to be on a U.S. stamp.”

The best, however, was saved for last and the response from the staff at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty National Park where Lady Liberty resides. “As a 125-year-old, she is highly flattered to be confused with a 14-year-old.”

Who wouldn’t be!  (And That IS a factual statement!)

Internal Communications with a Heart

Recently I produced and edited a video for Premera Blue Cross that recounted the story of an employee who by pure chance decided to get breakfast one morning in the company cafeteria. While there she noticed a few co-workers, who she did not know, taking their blood pressure.

She decided to take her BP. The results were so high that the co-workers who were with her thought the machine was broken.

It wasn’t and at their urging she went immediately to her doctor’s office and eventually the hospital for treatment.

It’s a wonderful story with a good outcome – for now. But with all she knew about her own health history, why did it take this scare to get her back on track? More importantly, what if she hadn’t decided to get breakfast that day and take her BP? It’s impossible to know what the outcome may have been, but we do know that this simple and painless test got her re-focused on her own health.
It is astounding how much we can learn about our heart from a simple test like blood pressure machine and our risk for heart disease or heart attack. What’s more astounding is how few of us make the effort to monitor our BP other than at the annual (?) trip to our doctor.

Here’s the video.

Not long after finishing this video I received an email from a business colleague that he sent out to hundreds of friends in the area. By now I am sure it has gone well beyond his initial distribution list of friends, family and business associates.

Amazing story and to his credit well written and with a point.

The subject line simply said “heart attack!”

Dear friends,

I’ve rarely forwarded a chain letter, much less started one, but I’m writing this in the hopes that my friends and family, and their friends and families, and so on…, can learn something from a recent experience of mine. Some of you know a few of the details but I’ll give a quick summary and then share a few thoughts that I hope will help you and others avoid what happened to me.

The short version is that I had a heart attack a few weeks ago. The overwhelming reaction from everyone is that I am the last person they would ever have imagined this happening to. A very good friend of mine told me that the fact that it happened to me means that it can happen to anyone, and that I need to share my story. So, I’m on mission…

A few facts about me:
I’m 52 years old; 6′-4″ and 192 pounds; I get annual physicals religiously; I have low blood pressure and low cholesterol and no health issues; I’ve played sports and/or exercised at least 3 times per week my whole life; I eat mostly natural foods and drink only moderately; and I have no family history of heart disease. The picture of health, right? Wrong! I have coronary heart disease, but I didn’t know it.

What happened?:
Three weeks ago I was playing in a basketball tournament at the Washington Athletic Club and I came out near the end of the first half. Less than a minute later I felt dizzy and passed out. My heart stopped. My eyes opened, but I wasn’t there. People near me did all the right things – checked for a pulse (none), called 911, found an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine nearby, applied the pads to my chest, and administered a shock that got my heart beating again, but only for a few seconds. CPR was then started, about 30 chest compressions… then I took a deep breath. I’m told that I was without a heart beat for less than three minutes (after 3 to 5 minutes brain damage becomes an issue). It turns out that I had a 30% to 40% plaque buildup in a coronary artery and it burst, completely closing off the artery and stopping my heart (this is the definition of a heart attack and it’s the number 1 killer of men and women in the U.S.). The defib and the chest compressions opened my artery enough to get my heart going again, long enough to get to the hospital where they inserted a stent to fully open the artery.

What you can (MUST!) do:

1) Whatever your age is start or keep doing all the obvious things like watching your diet, exercising, not smoking, getting enough sleep, and regular checkups… Here’s a link for more info on this topic from the Mayo Clinic:

2) Get CPR training. It might help you save a life, and not just in the event of a heart attack. The Red Cross offers classes everywhere.

3) Think about where an AED machine might be appropriate in your workplace, or even in your home, and work to make it happen. Here’s a link for more info on AEDs.

4) Most importantly, and please listen to this: If you are in your 40s or older, if you don’t already have a relationship with a cardiologist, and even if you have none of the other risk factors for heart disease, go get a test called a Coronary Calcium Scan, also known as an EBT test. I’m no expert but my very highly regarded cardiologist is adamant about getting people in to have this scan. It is designed to show the amount of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries. Not every doctor is a big believer in this test but my doctor says that, in my case, the scan would have picked up significant calcified plaque, even 5 years ago, and I would probably have been put on a few drugs that could have drastically reduced my risk for a heart attack. The scan takes only 20 minutes from start to finish, there is no prep involved the night before, no dyes injected, nothing invasive. Depending on the results your doctor will recommend next steps, if any, and will use it as a baseline for similar tests in the future. At the very least this will get your family doctor more educated about your heart, or it will get you connected with a cardiologist who can guide you. Here are two links – one to a National Institutes of Health web site for more info on Coronary Calcium Scans; the other for a Seattle clinic that provides these scans. Call TODAY to get your scan.

I’m a lucky guy – living proof that a heart attack can happen to anyone. I just happened to have mine in a place that thought ahead far enough to have defibrillator machines within easy reach and people trained in using them (thank you Dan and Nic!). My prognosis is excellent because I was revived so quickly and I’m in good physical condition. The almost tragic story here is that this was probably preventable with a simple and relatively inexpensive scan. The cost for the scan is about $200 but it is not covered by most insurance plans. If you can’t afford it there are creative funding sources out there. Contact me and I’ll fill you in.

One thing that any one of you would learn through an experience like this is that a lot more people rely on you and care about you than you ever imagined. If you can’t make time to do the “4 step plan” for yourself, then do it for the people who love you. You have many fans out there, including me, who want to have you around for a long time. And if you are over 40, I pledge to bug each and every one of you until you at least take my advice and get a scan or talk to your doctor about getting the scan.

One final request, send this to 10 or 20 or 200 of your friends and family and ask them to do the same. If everyone on my list sends this to just 20 friends, who send it to 10 more, we’ve reached more than a million people right there. Spread the word and maybe save some lives.

Thanks!

Bob

Truth be told Bob (and Charlene), it is I who should thank you for telling your stories.

The Bond Between a 16 year old Daughter and her Father

Gap – n. a wide divergence or difference; disparity.

That’s one definition of the word. Here’s another that reminded me of the gap between my 16 year old and me.

Recently we were driving in my car when Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ came on the radio. The song was being played on a classic rock station, which made me feel a bit old(er). (“Wasn’t that song released just a few years ago?”, I thought to myself – 1984 to be exact. How could it be a “classic”!).

More surprising than having the song labeled a classic, Eloise knew the song and was singing along! I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was not a station she listened to and until that moment in time I was certain she did not like Van Halen.

I asked her how she knew the song. “Oh, it was in a recent episode of Glee.”

Leave it to Hollywood to bring a father and daughter closer together.

Life’s Big Events

Certain events you just remember.  Graduation from college, your wedding day, the birth of your children and even the passing of a loved one.  There are also events that while not as monumental are a part of your permanent internal memory bank – first touchdown scored, climbing Mt Rainier with your brothers, meeting the President or even your first A at Whitman (it wasn’t an only child, but it didn’t have many friends either).

There are few monumental events that fit somewhere in between.  I’ll never forget the day the I-90 bridge sank.

It was November 25^th, 1990 – my 30^th birthday.  I was house sitting for friends in Medina. I remember watching the events unfold on TV, then would jump up to look out the window and see if I could catch a glimpse of the bridge sinking.  This marvel of modern engineering achievement is sinking – on my 30^th birthday no less!  I thought all hope was lost.

Another of those events occurred 10 years ago today – the Nisqually earthquake.  2/28/2001.

At the time I worked for The Ackerley Group as VP of Corporate Communications and was in our office on the 40^th floor of the Rainier Tower.

At the time of the earthquake I was in my office meeting with our CFO and one of his finance directors discussing our upcoming earnings results.  [Side note – Kevin our CFO is not a tall man, maybe 5’8”.   And Jerry, he was big.  Not only tall, but sizeable as well.]

As soon as the earthquake began my drawers started flying open and the three of us did our best 3^rd grade impersonation and huddled under the door jamb.  Harkin back a moment to the physical description of my two colleagues with me somewhere in between.  If I wasn’t picturing the building falling and the three of us landing on top of the building next-door, I may have laughed at the sight of us hugging, hiding under the door jamb for protection.  With 12 foot tall doors and floor to ceiling glass windows next to each office door, we learned later that wasn’t the best place to “hide”.

Soon after the shaking began the head of our billboard division began running for the front door.  I know this because he sprinted by the three of us at top speed.  We later learned Randy had run down all 40 stories to street level.  He was a big, strong former rugby player and to recall later the site of him sprinting down the hall headed for the door caused us all to laugh.  Mr. Ackerley’s long-time assistant was down the hall at her desk and as the quake subsided someone called to see how she was.  A faint voice from under the desk said, “I think I’m fine.”

Soon after the quake subsided we took a quick inventory of our office mates, Kevin and Jerry and I stopped hugging and we all wondered aloud, “what happened to Randy?”  Needless to say we closed the office early that day.

I’ll never forget looking out my window during the quake seeing other buildings come into view and then disappear from view only to return seconds later. Now we all know buildings are supposed to do this when under severe stress from wind or an earthquake.  However, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind for the average person hugging another man as the building sways back and forth.  I kept thinking about the shape of the Rainier Tower and pondered my soon to be dramatic exit from the earth.  “That pencil thin base will never last, I thought.”  Later on I learned that the corporate office of the structural engineering firm that worked on the building was located in Rainier Tower as well.  “Safest building in Seattle they said.  Huge counterbalance underground – it won’t fall.”

At the time I’m not sure that information would have helped, but I did feel better riding up the elevator from that day forward.

The worst part of the ordeal was trying to get in touch with my wife at home.  Lines were dead, our phone was busy but we finally connected and we were both relieved to hear all was safe at home and at work.  I may curse our 100 year old house for all of its “old house problems”, but it has survived several major quakes in the area and it safely protected my wife and children that day.

I know when the next one hits I’ll be happy to be safe at home – or anywhere in Rainier Tower.

A Christmas tradition no more…

Over the last week or two my wife and I have struggled to get the tree up and decorated, Christmas cards created and out the door and amongst everything else find time to do some shopping. Once again we will be struggling to finish our appointed rounds by the 25th. I know we are not alone.

Each year at this time I am remained of a story my dad told me about Christmas and his childhood.
My dad was the oldest of three boys and when they were young Christmas did not exist in their house in the weeks and days leading up to the 25th. No tree, no garland, no Nativity scene. Nothing. This was not because my grandparents were Mr. & Mrs. Grinch. In fact, if you knew them you’d know they were just the opposite. It was about making Christmas a special event for their three boys and miraculously they would wake up on the 25th and their entire home would be decorated. A tree with ornaments, presents wrapped, Nativity scene – the whole enchilada. It was as if Santa had come down their chimney and decorated the entire house – which is exactly what his parents wanted them to believe.

Bloody amazing and more importantly, how did they do it!

I’ve done the all-nighter on the 24th/25th, wrap the presents, build the bike, eat the cookie for Santa – but toss in trim the tree and decorate the house?!?!? We’d be celebrating Christmas on December 28th. I know and appreciate that life was not as complicated ‘way back when’, but no matter what or how un-complicated life is, I still think this was an amazing accomplishment.

Someday, just once, I may decide to try it at our home.

Of course I’d use an artificial tree and inflatable nativity scene, but it’s the thought that counts.

A museum needs its own Clarence…

Admit it, there’s been at least one point in time where you have said to yourself, “Self, if you had the money wouldn’t it be great to be able to do (fill-in the blank).”

I think most people, except those who appear in the annual Forbes list, would admit to uttering that phrase at least once.  Yesterday, I uttered that phrase yet again.

I read in the Wall Street Journal about the struggles facing the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pa.  The number of tourists visiting the museum has dropped off considerably, government grants have completely dried up and the museum’s director wonders aloud why so many people show up just down the road in Punxsutawney to watch a rodent, yet his museum is empty.  The museum itself doesn’t sound that remarkable, in fact it’s understated and humble based on Jimmy Stewart’s wishes. 

You may ask yourself, why this museum?  Big Jimmy Stewart fan Dan?  He was a terrific actor and I like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and How the West Was Won, but he’s not my favorite.  That “honor” goes to Humphrey Bogart.  Casablanca.  African Queen.  Treasure of Sierra Madre.  Is it even a contest??  Why then, you may ask, would I want to spend someone else’s money to save the Jimmy Stewart Museum? 

It’s a Wonderful Life. 

If for no other reason that in this age of digital movies with blue people, social networking, video everything and 3-D TV, (Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of most of the aforementioned – except Avatar.) the requirement that this movie and his legacy remain is unquestionable. 

Keeping the museum, honoring Stewart and Its A Wonderful Life can help to remind us that sometimes success takes time.  The movie was a flop when first released, yet today it is recognized as one of the top movies of all-time.  Most importantly, the inscription in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Clarence’s gift to George at the end of the movie should be a daily reminder for all of us.  “Dear George: Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings!  Love, Clarence.”

Even if you don’t really believe in Clarence, we all could use a little Clarence from time to time.  Sounds like the museum could use one too.  Here’s hoping they find one.

Shhhhhh….  I’m thinking of additional ways to spend other people’s money.

Editor’s Note – If you are reading this and have a boatload of money but are short of ideas, please feel free to contact me.  I’m just the opposite, short of money but long on ideas.

The Best Rejection Ever!

No one likes rejection. 

Over the years I’ve received my share of rejections.  Rejection to the prom.  Rejection from a college.  Rejection by a potential employer.  I’d be lying if I said those (and other) rejections didn’t affect me to some degree. 

With the current rate of unemployment and the highly competitive environment we live in, I’m certain more people are receiving rejection letters than at any time in recent memory.  Colleges are far more competitive.  If 25% of an applicant pool is accepted to a top-tier college that means 75% of the applicants are receiving a rejection letter.  It’s been a number of years since I applied to college.  As I remember it, despite their best attempts to soften the blow, the applicant feels nothing but, well, rejected.  Rejection letters from colleges or potential employers try to soften the blow, but they rarely achieve that goal.  After all, we never read past the first line or two do we? 

Dear Dan, Thank you for your interest (I know the answer – do I really need to read further) but we regret (that’s it, I am done) to blah, blah, blah.

Yesterday I received a rejection note and not only read it, but I actually re-read it more than once.  The note was direct, well reasoned and highlighted not only their needs, but my experience and how the two were not aligned.  I could disagree.  I could try and read between the words and attempt to find an inner meaning.  I could be depressed (it was an extremely cool job description and terrific organization).  However, at the end of the day I walk away feeling I was fairly considered, evaluated based on my abilities and how they aligned with their needs and humbled to even be considered.  I’m fine with the outcome.  That might be the intent of other rejection letters, but in my experience they fully miss their mark.

Here’s the note.

 Dear Dan:

Thank you so much for meeting with me last month and for your interest in the communications position.   I very much enjoyed our wide-ranging conversation.  When we began our search, we were floored by the number of talented individuals – who also shared a passion for our mission – like yourself who applied.  It was truly an honor. 

Ultimately, because of the small size of our staff and our needs at this point in the [Removed] development, your depth of skill and breadth of experience are simply too great.  We are not confident that you would thrive here.   Wherever you ultimately land, you will be a tremendous asset.  Thank you again for your time and your enthusiasm for our work. 

All the best,

National Cancer Sucks Day

My wife Celia reminded me that today is National Cancer Sucks Day.  Is there a description that better captures the sentiment of a day than this? 

When our oldest daughter was battling cancer 11 years ago I used to wear a button that said “Cancer Sucks”.  Over the years I have loaned it out to a few friends who are battling cancer and it always finds its way back.  I should have worn it today.

I did go back and read an article I wrote back then that was publsihed in Newsweek about my hero, our daughter Eloise (who is now 15+).

She is a wonderful daughter who is at Camp Goodtimes with her sister this week and other cancer survivors, current patients and their siblings for a week of good times.  They deserve every minute!

Here’s the article for those of you who may have missed it 10 years ago.

What’s the value of her debt?

Recently I received the followng photo in an email. The photo is certainly making the rounds. This time it came from my mom and was sent to just family.

My youngest brother who works on Capitol Hill in Washington DC commented when asked, “Have you seen this photo yet?” with the following, “Incessantly. Sen. Coburn has her picture on the Senate floor, oh, every other day or so.”

I don’t even need to look to know which side of the aisle Senator Coburn sits.

A few days later my dad posted a reply. It read.

She has a debt but what about the assets:

Protection by the best military in the world.
A good court system to protect her rights
A free highway system to travel safely where she wishes to go ( Does not have to check in beforehand)
Clean water from a tap, not a hike of 4 miles to a hole teeming with bacteria
Sanitary sewers and trash pickup
A major safety net for those who need help they cannot provide
Free education and low cost access to the best higher education system in the world
Protection of unique natural resources in perpetuity for her grandchildren
A free enterprise system regulated ( well sometimes) to prevent fraud while opening opportunity to the broadest involvement anywhere on earth.
Medical care and financial support for those retired (hooray)

Those are my top 10. Add to them and our little girl will take her blinky out and cheer at her good luck, as Warren Buffett said, she won the ovarian lottery by being born in the USA.

Dad

PS: Bruce: That’s what I would tell Sen Coburn on the floor of the Senate only in grander and mind numbing detail.

What do you think? Does her list of assets outweigh her “debt”? While I certainly believe that government is not always the most efficient business and that waste/overspending absolutely exists, he makes a compelling argument.