When Did I Become Like My Father?

As you grow through your childhood and traverse those difficult teen years toward adulthood, you become more and more aware of who you are and who you are becoming. As part of the process you examine the actions and behaviors of adults who have influence over you.

For me, that was my father. A true caregiver; he was someone who always made sure you were fed and had everything you could ever need or want. A man with a biggest caring heart one could have, at the same time never comfortable showing his affection for you.

As a child, I knew him to be Superman. He was an indestructible being with intellect and abilities far above everyone else. But, alas, in later years, I discovered my father was only human with human failings. Luckily for me some of his faults were always accompanied by a humorous turn.

On more than one occasion, he’d show up at events wearing his shirt inside out. His socks never matched and being no stranger to the kitchen, one time he put green beans in his pasta sauce, thinking they were green peppers. Everyone shared the rip roaring belly laughs that ensued at the re-telling of these stories.

The youngest age I can remember my dad is in his early 40s, not too far from my own age now. I’ve always hoped beyond hope that I wouldn’t fall victim to becoming like him and avoid becoming the source of humor for family and friends. Trust me, you cannot escape fate!

Last week my wife and I embarked on our usual Saturday morning errands. This particular morning we were running a bit later than we should. I had a few things that I needed to do before leaving the house, let the dogs out, take out the trash and change the light in the bathroom. Everything was done just in time to jump in the car. It was about 20 minutes to our first destination, during the ride I was running down my to-do list in my head.

When we arrived, I happened to look down at my feet. I was appalled and dismayed at the horror that had beheld me. I let out a scream that sounded like giving birth, if men could do that. My wife, yelled back out of concern “are you ok?” Of course, I wasn’t. I couldn’t speak; much less move to show her what had happened. On this day, I walked out of my home with two different shoes on!

With this one simple act, this anticipated day had arrived. I became my father!

At that moment I knew this story would be re-told again and again and everyone would share in this comedic event.

For me, it was a moment of remembrance and in a way, a tribute.

Thanks Dad, I miss you very much!

See it! Rent it! or Skip it! A review of the film, "The Runaways."

When I first saw the trailer for the movie “The Runaways,” I had very high hopes for the film. I have been a Joan Jet and the Blackhearts fan for a long time and to see the story of Joan’s first band and their trek through the early years of the trying to make it in the music industry intrigued me.

The band only lasted in the industry for about 2 years in the early 70s and the film under the direction of Floria Sigismondi, who also penned the screenplay, does an excellent job in portraying the gritty spirit that was so much a part of the decade.

Kristen Stewart’s performance in the lead roll gives the film authenticity. She captures the essence of the original and many times I had to catch myself taking a double take. A big draw back to the overall quality of the film is the uneven acting performance by Dakota Fanning who plays Cherry Currie. There seemed to be too many scenes that lacked emotional connection that can at times throw the audience off track. Michael Shannon portrayal of Kim Fowley, the semi-senile and manipulative band manager, is spot on.

The rocking soundtrack of easily recognizable hits by the band makes you reminisce. Everyone knows where they were when they heard those songs for the first time.

Overall this film is typical of the sex, drugs, rock and roll saga. Only this time, the main characters that we see engaging in sex-capades, doing drugs and rocking out are female.

Want my advice? If you are a Joan Jet fan see it! For everyone else, rent it!

Creatively Concise! Can you tell a story in just 6 words?

Like most people in my line of work, I spend a lot of time following the current buzz around discussing boards, blogs and organizational websites.

Recently I was following a discussion on the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) National Group Page on LINKEDIN, titled “Can You Tell a Story in Just 6 Words?” The discussion was being lead by Harrison Monarth a NY Times Best Selling Author.

Immediately, I thought, how can my clients benefit from having this skill? The clarity of your thoughts and the ability to communicate them in the most accurate and concise manner is critical in the American workplace.

MY CUDDLEY POOCH LIKES BELLY RUBS

Some people who read my 6 word story will immediately see the dog in their mind; they know what breed it is, its size, age and some will even know its name, because of a common meaning we share.

Even if you have never owned a dog, you understand the meaning through a movie you’ve seen, television show or another dog you’ve come across in your life.

I picked the story because you, the reader, would be able to assign a meaning and understand it quickly.

There is an important lesson to be learned from the 6 word story challenge.

When communicating, not only should you pick words that help you convey a clear understanding, but the words you choose, should be ones that we share in common and we can assign the same meaning.

News Release: Deklun Rand Expands to Central Florida

TAMPA, FL (March 7, 2010) Central Florida Corporate Executives and Business Owners have a new partner to assist them in the long term development of their organizations. After many years of success helping businesses throughout the Northeastern United States, Deklun Rand Management Consulting opens a new office in Tampa. Details at www.deklunrand.com.

Deklun Rand owner and senior consultant says “Central Florida is the perfect place for us to expand our business due to the forecasted growth in the manufacturing and industrial industries.”

Deklun Rand Management Consulting is the leader in on-site managerial training. Additional details on products and services can be found at www.deklunrand.com.

Deklun Rand Management Consulting

My management consulting business brings the very best of my experience in corporate training and years of managing people and resources around the globe. My clients range from major corporations, to small businesses as well as individuals. Together, we bring the very best of their managerial staff to new levels of professional productively and success through a long standing business relationships.

I design and execute personal management training programs through a twofold process of identifying key characteristics and skills necessary for the specific management or supervisory position. Then, I provide on-site, one-on-one training, working in real time, with people in everyday situations. This approach promotes a measureable and sustainable action plan that gives every participant the opportunity to make true changes that matter the most to businesses large and small.

Micro Fiction

"Walk" by Artist Lisa Rae Winant

Image used by permission of the Artist

12 x 24 / oil on panel

Since the turn of the industrial age, authorities have sought to track down this most elusive and evasive criminal mastermind. His crimes have surpassed any notorious crime figure that has ever existed by circumventing human will itself.

His far reaching attacks affect us all. To every country, every state, every neighborhood and in his most provocative manor, every single home, whether joined with other or standing along against him.

Although simple in execution, these heinous, malicious and unspeakable acts undermine the most intelligent and sane among us. He seeks to throw you off balance. He makes you question almost everything you do. You search every self-reflecting aspect deep into every corner of your sole; only to find, no answer to your most desperate questions.

He turns an ordinary peaceful act of self caring into one that turns the most timid among us into a howling brutish beast, capable of carnage beyond believe until our outrage is so self-consuming as to bring us to a state where we accuse the ones most close to us and damage to critical relationship beyond repair to the end of our very lives.

We tremble and cower at his existence. Far back in our human history we’ve most often thought of him as a myth. Man at his most remote of conclusions always seems to deny his very existence.

His actions have scared me beyond a scope in which I may be unable to recognize myself ever, ever again. I have been a victim almost my entire life. As a child, his actions forced me to conform in ways that I’m not able to speak about to this day. Fortunately, as an adult, I’ve been able to cope by burying my misfortune, never to be reviled in public.

He has never been able to be photographed. This artist’s rendering was completed by interviewing countless eyewitnesses and included the most accurate case studies in criminal profiling.

Finally it can be revealed; this is the man who steals your socks from the dryer, leaving you with only one.

Rescued in Los Angeles to Our Home: Nick’s Story

We’ve lived with Chihuahuas for almost the entire time we’ve had pets in our lives. I’d normally start out saying “owned” Chihuahuas, but for anyone who has lived with one, knows, you don’t own them --they own you! Just over two years ago, Zoe, joined our family after we lost our beloved Teek, a Yorkiepoo we rescued from a shelter, to canine cancer a year earlier. Zoe came to us from a friends’ recommendation of a Chihuahua breeder. She has been wonderful, but she does spend some time alone when we are at work and school. We decided to find her a buddy to ease those times when we are away. We’ve always been big proponents of the many wonderful organizations that help in the rescue, care and placement of our four legged friends. We have our own success story with adopting a shelter dog. It was only natural that we would turn to them again for our search. We tried and tried, but each time we’d visit the shelters in our area, we couldn’t find the right match. In fact, we’d had so many visits over the months of searching; the staff knew us as old friends.
Finally, during one of our weekly calls we got some hope. The Salem Animal Rescue League in Salem, NH was taking part in a project working jointly with the City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, the actress Katherine Heigl and the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. Together they were airlifting 25 Chihuahuas scheduled for euthanasia in LA to New England for possible adoption. In the LA area there is an over abundance of Chihuahuas– thanks in part to irresponsible dog owners who think owning a dog is an accessory. The Salem Animal rescue League was getting 5 of them and the other 20 would be heading to Nashua. We went in the morning after they arrived and fell completely in love with the newest member of our family. She arrived with the name “Hollywood” after a mix up they began to call her “Ben” and then again after discovering that she was a girl, the staffers called her “Betty”. Of course, after we met her, we had to find another name that was just right—it would take some thought. Our application was approved and we were matched up in 3 days. On the ride home we noticed that her ears had been chewed by some other larger dogs, so much so that there were terribly scared and pieces of her ears had come off. So for us, the logical choice for her new name was “Nick”. She took to the name almost immediately. I’m glad to report that after just a few short months she is healthy and happy. She has gained 4 lbs and really has become the sparkling companion that Zoe needed. We want to extend a sincere thanks to everyone from Los Angeles to New Hampshire that helped in making our home just that bit happier.