Ever heard that question: if you could have dinner with one person from history who would it be?
I know it's trite, but I love that question.
I like dreaming about what it would be like to sit across from Martin Luther King, Jr. Or to watch Abraham Lincoln and Mother Theresa laugh together over an inside joke while Gandhi passes the bread to Winston Churchill. I mean sure: I've read what they wrote. But there's just something about being in the presence of people that is either more powerful or at least a powerful supplement to reading about their lives. There's something about seeing the energy in their eyes and hearing their own words in their own voices that makes a moment seem more real. It's why I've seen Flight of the Chonchords twice. It's why I'd see U2 even though I know their stuff by heart.
Presence is poweful.
That's why I unashamedly love conferences. I like seeing people I've read share what they're recently learning. Even more fun is going with some friends and then discussing/arguing/learning from and with each other between sessions. The shared experience is gold. In the past 6 months I've been to 4 conferences-- sometimes as an attendant, or volunteer or speaker. They are a never-again-to-be-repeated gathering of fascinating people who have conversations with me that affirm, challenge and tweak the next move in my leadership life.
That's why I'm stoked about the i2i one-day conference with Scott Belsky. I got to see Scott speak in New York a few months ago and it was one of the most insightful and forward thinking discussions on creativity I've heard in a while. If you consider yourself a creative who struggles to get ideas out of your mind and into your portfolio then Scott is your patron saint. If you're like me and lead teams that have to execute to survive but don't want to turn into corporate kill-joys in the process then Scott is your guru.
And on March 30 you get to spend a whole day with him and a group of people all trying to figure out how productivity and creativity can intersect in our personal lives and on teams.
The topics alone make me kind of giddy: Organization & Productivity, Leveraging Community & Leadership in the Creative World, Q & A Session on Idea-Making.
The day is on the tail end of The !deation Conference. But more on that later. In the meantime, for more information regarding both conferences click here.
I'm sure Charles Lee-- the founder of both conferences-- and Scott Belsky would be a little squeamish to being compared to the people of history that I'd love to have dinner with. But I know they'd both agree that being intentional about surrounding yourselves with people who are further down the road than you is indispensable to becoming who you long to be, and these two events are a good start in that direction.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Addictions.
There's this ancient idea that it's possible to actually become addicted to Good. That you can-- over time-- develop not only an appetite but an actual need for beauty, truth, and health.
You see, Good is kind of a mixed bag. Some parts are immediately desirable: things like enjoying great friends, watching a sunset, or eating great food. These things are not hard to appreciate and most of us long for them. But then there's the art of creating great friendships, having the humility to appreciate sunsets or the patience to wait as great food is being cooked. These traits don't necessarily come naturally. They don't necessarily feel good...but they are good. Not only are they good but they become keys that unlock doors to greater beauty, truth and appreciation for life.
So while some Good is like sugar-- tasty the first time you try it. Other good is more like scotch. It's an acquired taste. Nobody likes scotch the first time they drink it. If someone tells you they liked it the first time, they're either lying or were drinking really expensive scotch.
Nobody likes humility the first time they taste it. Nobody likes patience. And while we appreciate the kind of life those traits provide, we don't always like the path to those provisions.
We want everything sugary, all the time.
But here's what I believe about Good; just like scotch, if you keep drinking it after a while you develop a palate for it. And after awhile, you'll become addicted.
I have my share of addictions (emotional ones, mostly-- they're not as culturally taboo but they still manage to ruin my life). I'm ready for addictions that nourish my soul rather than leaving it toothless and stealing my parent's jewelry. I'm ready for addictions that ruin my need to be right but free me to experience love. I'm ready for addictions that destroy my need to be in control but empower me to control myself in a positive way.
It won't all be hard, I don't think. But for the parts that are hard I say: bring it on.
I'm ready for some new addictions.
You see, Good is kind of a mixed bag. Some parts are immediately desirable: things like enjoying great friends, watching a sunset, or eating great food. These things are not hard to appreciate and most of us long for them. But then there's the art of creating great friendships, having the humility to appreciate sunsets or the patience to wait as great food is being cooked. These traits don't necessarily come naturally. They don't necessarily feel good...but they are good. Not only are they good but they become keys that unlock doors to greater beauty, truth and appreciation for life.
So while some Good is like sugar-- tasty the first time you try it. Other good is more like scotch. It's an acquired taste. Nobody likes scotch the first time they drink it. If someone tells you they liked it the first time, they're either lying or were drinking really expensive scotch.
Nobody likes humility the first time they taste it. Nobody likes patience. And while we appreciate the kind of life those traits provide, we don't always like the path to those provisions.
We want everything sugary, all the time.
But here's what I believe about Good; just like scotch, if you keep drinking it after a while you develop a palate for it. And after awhile, you'll become addicted.
I have my share of addictions (emotional ones, mostly-- they're not as culturally taboo but they still manage to ruin my life). I'm ready for addictions that nourish my soul rather than leaving it toothless and stealing my parent's jewelry. I'm ready for addictions that ruin my need to be right but free me to experience love. I'm ready for addictions that destroy my need to be in control but empower me to control myself in a positive way.
It won't all be hard, I don't think. But for the parts that are hard I say: bring it on.
I'm ready for some new addictions.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
On Cooking.
So last night I made Thai Curry with Rice and Chicken with Thai Peanut Dip.
Okay, so my friend Thomas helped me make it.
We made the curry and peanut dip from scratch. Here's our ingredient list:
Limes
Chicken
Brown Sugar
Lemongrass
2 Cans of Coconut Milk
Green Beans
Eggplant
Green Bell Peppers
Zucchini
Fish sauce
Soy Sauce
Garlic
Rice
Peanut Oil and Peanuts
Curry Paste
Many of you know this: I am not a cook. I know how to make one or two basic meals but I feel completely incompetent in the kitchen. I don't know where things are. Even if I did I wouldn't know what to do with them. So learning to cook is a little bit of a stretch for me.
But hey, it's about time.
So Thomas came over to my apartment and stood over my shoulder with a glass of wine, coaching me through the chopping and sauteing of the vegetables. The mincing of the garlic and the pouring of the coconut milk at just the right time into the pans. Half way through I said, "Hey, next week could we try something a little simpler?" He laughed and said, "Yeah...now that we're doing this I'm realizing how complicated it is."
What I like about Thomas' style of cooking is that he kind of wings it. He's also a great teacher. I wanted to do everything just right-- as if by chopping the eggplant in 1/4" slices rather than 1/5" slices was going to make that big a difference. As if there's a right and wrong spoon to use in mixing the curry. He'd answer my very specific and anxiety-ridden questions for a while, but towards the end he just started saying, "Whatever you think." You've got the ingredients right. You're not an idiot. Chop the vegetables how you want. Mix the curry with whatever you want. And occasionally he'd say-- "No-- use this."
I think this could also be true of life. There's a recipe. There are some basic guidelines to making a life come out tasty. But there's lots of room for improvisation. You can change the recipe a lot before it comes out as something else. Last night we added too much vegetables in our green curry and Thomas just said, "Okay, this is going to be more of a vegetable dish than curry." He rolled with it. It was his job to help me not make many big mistakes (like mixing in laundry detergent or something) and he would tell me what he likes to do sometimes. He also helped me adjust when I strayed from the recipe. And in the end he helped me take one small step towards being comfortable in my own kitchen.
On last thing: we also talked about why he loved to cook. We talked about what it means to him, where he is in his life and how cooking nurtures his soul as well as his stomach. He said his job is so intangible that it's nice to come home and create something. "Like legos that you eat," says I. "Sure," Thomas said. It made a lot of sense to me. I could see cooking playing that role in my life, too.
So thanks, Thomas. Here's to good friends and great food and the art of creating something tasty.
...and to simpler recipes.
Okay, so my friend Thomas helped me make it.
We made the curry and peanut dip from scratch. Here's our ingredient list:
Limes
Chicken
Brown Sugar
Lemongrass
2 Cans of Coconut Milk
Green Beans
Eggplant
Green Bell Peppers
Zucchini
Fish sauce
Soy Sauce
Garlic
Rice
Peanut Oil and Peanuts
Curry Paste
Many of you know this: I am not a cook. I know how to make one or two basic meals but I feel completely incompetent in the kitchen. I don't know where things are. Even if I did I wouldn't know what to do with them. So learning to cook is a little bit of a stretch for me.
But hey, it's about time.
So Thomas came over to my apartment and stood over my shoulder with a glass of wine, coaching me through the chopping and sauteing of the vegetables. The mincing of the garlic and the pouring of the coconut milk at just the right time into the pans. Half way through I said, "Hey, next week could we try something a little simpler?" He laughed and said, "Yeah...now that we're doing this I'm realizing how complicated it is."
What I like about Thomas' style of cooking is that he kind of wings it. He's also a great teacher. I wanted to do everything just right-- as if by chopping the eggplant in 1/4" slices rather than 1/5" slices was going to make that big a difference. As if there's a right and wrong spoon to use in mixing the curry. He'd answer my very specific and anxiety-ridden questions for a while, but towards the end he just started saying, "Whatever you think." You've got the ingredients right. You're not an idiot. Chop the vegetables how you want. Mix the curry with whatever you want. And occasionally he'd say-- "No-- use this."
I think this could also be true of life. There's a recipe. There are some basic guidelines to making a life come out tasty. But there's lots of room for improvisation. You can change the recipe a lot before it comes out as something else. Last night we added too much vegetables in our green curry and Thomas just said, "Okay, this is going to be more of a vegetable dish than curry." He rolled with it. It was his job to help me not make many big mistakes (like mixing in laundry detergent or something) and he would tell me what he likes to do sometimes. He also helped me adjust when I strayed from the recipe. And in the end he helped me take one small step towards being comfortable in my own kitchen.
On last thing: we also talked about why he loved to cook. We talked about what it means to him, where he is in his life and how cooking nurtures his soul as well as his stomach. He said his job is so intangible that it's nice to come home and create something. "Like legos that you eat," says I. "Sure," Thomas said. It made a lot of sense to me. I could see cooking playing that role in my life, too.
So thanks, Thomas. Here's to good friends and great food and the art of creating something tasty.
...and to simpler recipes.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Walk.
Recently I have fallen in love with going on walks.
I like the feeling of going on a walk with someone. Sometimes you talk, sometimes you don't. Depending on who the person is you hold hands or maybe you just walk along side each other. You know the other person is there even if you're not looking at them. I like to go on walks alone, too.
On walks I like the sound of lawnmowers in the distance.
I like the sounds of birds arguing with each other about something that has nothing to do with you.
I like the slow, steady progress of even doing the same 4 block loop over and over.
I like ducking for branches and hearing the pat shuffle pat of my own footsteps.
I pray when I walk. Talking to God for me is a lot like trying to get a child with ADD to sit still. I don't think He minds, though. And I'm glad to just sort of go on a walk with God, too. Not always talking. No pressure. Occasionally asking Him for a miracle here or there.
Sometimes I listen to music. John Mayer Trio is good walking company. And often times people drive by staring at the guy walking down the sidewalk doing air guitar solos. Doesn't bother me. I'm getting my jam on.
I really like going on walks at dusk. When the sun bends over the far corners of the earth just to light the clouds at new angles. It's at this time that Life just gets home from work, kicking off its shoes and sighing from a hard day's work.
I like that these things all happen whether or not I'm around.
People mow lawns. Birds sing. The clouds bask and pose in the sun's fading light.
All of it kind of goes on unaware of me. Yet I still feel privileged to be able to see it, feel it, take a stroll in it. While it happens with or without me it still feels like somehow its a gift for me...and for anyone else with the time to look up or listen or put one more step in front of the other. It feels like I'm getting to watch something special, like I'm at the Grand Canyon or at a wedding or waiting to hold my first child.
It makes me grateful to be alive and it helps me feel like no matter what the next turn around the corner brings, everything is going to be okay.
In many ways I'm baffled it's taken me this long to discover these things called "walks." Maybe I was too busy before, which now seems like being too busy to breathe. It strikes me that these moments have been available to me every dusk since the day I could walk. The sun has been setting, the clouds have been showing off, the birds have been chattering for years without my recollection or enjoyment.
Makes me wonder what else is out there to be enjoyed that I simply haven't noticed yet.
Let's go find out.
I like the feeling of going on a walk with someone. Sometimes you talk, sometimes you don't. Depending on who the person is you hold hands or maybe you just walk along side each other. You know the other person is there even if you're not looking at them. I like to go on walks alone, too.
On walks I like the sound of lawnmowers in the distance.
I like the sounds of birds arguing with each other about something that has nothing to do with you.
I like the slow, steady progress of even doing the same 4 block loop over and over.
I like ducking for branches and hearing the pat shuffle pat of my own footsteps.
I pray when I walk. Talking to God for me is a lot like trying to get a child with ADD to sit still. I don't think He minds, though. And I'm glad to just sort of go on a walk with God, too. Not always talking. No pressure. Occasionally asking Him for a miracle here or there.
Sometimes I listen to music. John Mayer Trio is good walking company. And often times people drive by staring at the guy walking down the sidewalk doing air guitar solos. Doesn't bother me. I'm getting my jam on.
I really like going on walks at dusk. When the sun bends over the far corners of the earth just to light the clouds at new angles. It's at this time that Life just gets home from work, kicking off its shoes and sighing from a hard day's work.
I like that these things all happen whether or not I'm around.
People mow lawns. Birds sing. The clouds bask and pose in the sun's fading light.
All of it kind of goes on unaware of me. Yet I still feel privileged to be able to see it, feel it, take a stroll in it. While it happens with or without me it still feels like somehow its a gift for me...and for anyone else with the time to look up or listen or put one more step in front of the other. It feels like I'm getting to watch something special, like I'm at the Grand Canyon or at a wedding or waiting to hold my first child.
It makes me grateful to be alive and it helps me feel like no matter what the next turn around the corner brings, everything is going to be okay.
In many ways I'm baffled it's taken me this long to discover these things called "walks." Maybe I was too busy before, which now seems like being too busy to breathe. It strikes me that these moments have been available to me every dusk since the day I could walk. The sun has been setting, the clouds have been showing off, the birds have been chattering for years without my recollection or enjoyment.
Makes me wonder what else is out there to be enjoyed that I simply haven't noticed yet.
Let's go find out.
Monday, January 3, 2011
My Top 10 Movies of 2010
Last year I wrote a blog on the best films of 2009. Continuing the tradition here are my top 10 films for 2010. Would love to see your additions to the list as well as thoughts about my list. Happy New Year!
10. How To Train Your Dragon
Part of me wants to love this film simply because it's the best non-Disney/PIXAR animated feature since An American Tail. Visually this film is stunning (the flying scenes are the most exhilarating since The Rocketeer) and -- holy cow! -- it actually has an endearing (and original) story! I'm rooting for Jeffery Katzenberg at DreamWorks Animation to create more quality work like this and less garbage like Shark Tale, Antz and Shrek 4.
9. Toy Story 3
This is weird to say, but if anyone other than PIXAR would have made this film it would be number one on my list. Somehow when you expect greatness you're not as satisfied when it comes as you are when you're surprised by it. We expect greatness from PIXAR. With Toy Story 3 they delivered.
8. Shutter Island
This film was overlooked because of another little "is it real or is it not?" film starring Leonardo DiCaprio this year. But Shutter Island is perhaps more haunting than Inception and will leave you talking less about how cool the falling fight scenes were and more about what it means to be sane in the face of extreme loss and shame.
7. The Social Network
An obvious choice. Critics loved it. I mostly loved Aaron Sorkin's expected whip-smart dialogue. For anyone missing The West Wing's walk-and-talk's as much as I do it was like visiting with an old friend...and listening like mad making sure you don't miss anything brilliant. I loved David Fincher's direction but was a little confused as to why it was heralded for how AMAZINGLY it captured a generation. Maybe that's because it captured my generation and I'm like, "Yeah, we wear hoodies. Big deal."
6. The Fighter
From my point of view this is not a boxer movie. It's a movie about the tensions of a dysfunctional family that never really resolve (while just about every other tension does). I loved the bold direction. The acting was just plain fun to watch and I shed a tear or two.
5. Waiting For Superman
The mechanics of this documentary weren't great...but it's message sure is. If you would have told me 10 years ago that a liberal filmmaker heralded for a documentary about global warming would later make a documentary demonizing teacher's unions I would never have believed you. These times, they are a-changin'. The stories of the kids they follow are gripping-- but more so is the film's scathing criticisms of our failing public schools as well as the championing of the heroes who are trying create bold alternatives for those who could never afford it.
4. Inception
I loved the falling fight scenes. What can I say? Christopher Nolan is a genius.
3. The Town
People are determined not to like Ben Affleck. I never understood that. Can't we just remember Good Will Hunting, Dogma, Hollywoodland, Armageddon, Boiler Room, Shakespeare in Love and Gone Baby Gone? One critic heralded Ben as the next Clint Eastwood. After Gone Baby Gone and The Town and I tend to agree. This film was just beautifully done. Congratulations, Ben.
2. Waking Sleeping Beauty
I got to see a special screening of this film with director Don Hahn (who also produced Beauty and The Best and The Lion King). The story of Disney's decline in the late 70s and 80s and it's short-lived resurrection from '84 to '94 is a great case study on why organizations rise and fall. What do Tim Burton, John Lasseter and Brad Bird have in common? They all left or were fired by Disney Animation in the 80s and they all are some of Disney's greatest assets today. Go figure.
1. The King's Speech
I'm getting ready to see this film for the third time tonight. I love everything about this film. The vulnerability and power of the characters. Every scene is both poignant emotionally and beautiful visually. It is art, and the story of a stuttering shadow of a man desiring to do something extraordinary with his life resonates with me. If you can handle deliberately paced stories then please go see this movie.
Honorable Mentions:
Get Him To The Greek
Except for one of the most awkward sex scenes I've ever seen this film was by far the funniest film of the year (there weren't that many to choose from). Unfortunately it won't be recognized as such by anyone other than MTV or the People's Choice Awards. The Golden Globes seem to think that The Tourist is funnier. I agree: The Golden Globes picking The Tourist for their Best Comedy category is downright hilarious.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
What the critics praised The Social Network for in capturing the ethos of my generation this film does for the next. It's plugged in, pluralistic, bipolar, almost disgustingly hip and indie, and it's optimistic if not idealistic. As someone who has worked with college students for a living it is the best film I've seen that captures the ethos of the generation to come. I loved it.
10. How To Train Your Dragon
Part of me wants to love this film simply because it's the best non-Disney/PIXAR animated feature since An American Tail. Visually this film is stunning (the flying scenes are the most exhilarating since The Rocketeer) and -- holy cow! -- it actually has an endearing (and original) story! I'm rooting for Jeffery Katzenberg at DreamWorks Animation to create more quality work like this and less garbage like Shark Tale, Antz and Shrek 4.
9. Toy Story 3
This is weird to say, but if anyone other than PIXAR would have made this film it would be number one on my list. Somehow when you expect greatness you're not as satisfied when it comes as you are when you're surprised by it. We expect greatness from PIXAR. With Toy Story 3 they delivered.
8. Shutter Island
This film was overlooked because of another little "is it real or is it not?" film starring Leonardo DiCaprio this year. But Shutter Island is perhaps more haunting than Inception and will leave you talking less about how cool the falling fight scenes were and more about what it means to be sane in the face of extreme loss and shame.
7. The Social Network
An obvious choice. Critics loved it. I mostly loved Aaron Sorkin's expected whip-smart dialogue. For anyone missing The West Wing's walk-and-talk's as much as I do it was like visiting with an old friend...and listening like mad making sure you don't miss anything brilliant. I loved David Fincher's direction but was a little confused as to why it was heralded for how AMAZINGLY it captured a generation. Maybe that's because it captured my generation and I'm like, "Yeah, we wear hoodies. Big deal."
6. The Fighter
From my point of view this is not a boxer movie. It's a movie about the tensions of a dysfunctional family that never really resolve (while just about every other tension does). I loved the bold direction. The acting was just plain fun to watch and I shed a tear or two.
5. Waiting For Superman
The mechanics of this documentary weren't great...but it's message sure is. If you would have told me 10 years ago that a liberal filmmaker heralded for a documentary about global warming would later make a documentary demonizing teacher's unions I would never have believed you. These times, they are a-changin'. The stories of the kids they follow are gripping-- but more so is the film's scathing criticisms of our failing public schools as well as the championing of the heroes who are trying create bold alternatives for those who could never afford it.
4. Inception
I loved the falling fight scenes. What can I say? Christopher Nolan is a genius.
3. The Town
People are determined not to like Ben Affleck. I never understood that. Can't we just remember Good Will Hunting, Dogma, Hollywoodland, Armageddon, Boiler Room, Shakespeare in Love and Gone Baby Gone? One critic heralded Ben as the next Clint Eastwood. After Gone Baby Gone and The Town and I tend to agree. This film was just beautifully done. Congratulations, Ben.
2. Waking Sleeping Beauty
I got to see a special screening of this film with director Don Hahn (who also produced Beauty and The Best and The Lion King). The story of Disney's decline in the late 70s and 80s and it's short-lived resurrection from '84 to '94 is a great case study on why organizations rise and fall. What do Tim Burton, John Lasseter and Brad Bird have in common? They all left or were fired by Disney Animation in the 80s and they all are some of Disney's greatest assets today. Go figure.
1. The King's Speech
I'm getting ready to see this film for the third time tonight. I love everything about this film. The vulnerability and power of the characters. Every scene is both poignant emotionally and beautiful visually. It is art, and the story of a stuttering shadow of a man desiring to do something extraordinary with his life resonates with me. If you can handle deliberately paced stories then please go see this movie.
Honorable Mentions:
Get Him To The Greek
Except for one of the most awkward sex scenes I've ever seen this film was by far the funniest film of the year (there weren't that many to choose from). Unfortunately it won't be recognized as such by anyone other than MTV or the People's Choice Awards. The Golden Globes seem to think that The Tourist is funnier. I agree: The Golden Globes picking The Tourist for their Best Comedy category is downright hilarious.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
What the critics praised The Social Network for in capturing the ethos of my generation this film does for the next. It's plugged in, pluralistic, bipolar, almost disgustingly hip and indie, and it's optimistic if not idealistic. As someone who has worked with college students for a living it is the best film I've seen that captures the ethos of the generation to come. I loved it.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
I Love These.
Every December Matt Shapiro puts together the best montage of films from that year. With my Top 10 Films of 2010 blog post coming out tomorrow I thought I'd include this as well. It's an homage to the art, which is really an homage to life-- one of longing, adventure, love, loss and greatness. Give yourself the next 4 minutes to be inspired. I love these.
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