2011
Why doesn’t Teller speak?
He does. I’ve heard it.
I went to the Penn & Teller show at the Rio on Sunday, Apr 24th. Forget those big productions with large African mammals and performers with European accents, this is the magic show to see when you are in Las Vegas.
Teller is a soft spoken, affable guy. He patiently took photos with all the fans and signed the programs. Before the show I picked up a clear Starbucks cup. When I presented it for him to sign, he smiled when he recognized that I am a big fan of the Penn & Teller version of the cups and balls trick.
This classic trick is simple to do, but it takes years to master. And the P&T version of this trick turns it on its ears. They used a clear plastic cup and showed how complex yet effortlessly they performed this trick. This trick symbolizes everything about Penn & Teller. Their brand of magic is not about producing a miracle. They are entertainers. Sometimes part of the entertainment is to let the audience in on the secret.
The show ticket had a coupon which was redeemable for a 30 page glossy guide written by Penn and Teller. It briefly chronicled the history of P&T and of the partners from the other’s perspective. There was also an article in which Teller wrote that one day he will be looking at the stage for the last time. But not tomorrow.
Teller does speak, and when he does, he will blow your socks off.
Today I Thank:
Penn & Teller, TJ, Sylvia, LB
2010
Guilt
For all of Brad’s enthusiasm and collection of photo equipment, he was not a very good photographer. He was not a very good network administrator. He believed in conspiracies. And worst of all he tried to cure his cancer with vitamin B.
I wanted to tell him that he was crazy. Maybe tie him up and force him to get some real medical treatment. Who’s to say which one of us was more in denial? Him in believing that doctors don’t know what they are doing or me believing that there was any hope.
I didn’t know he had cancer when we hired him. I didn’t know he had cancer when his family invested their saving in the failing company. I would have tried to stop him. But that’s Brad, always positive. He came from a family that was positive. Brad’s dad invested the little money he had saved as an electrician into a completely mismanaged start-up. After he signed the check, he came in the office to wire up some equipment. Never seen a guy so happy to be crawling under desk with a screw driver and a flashlight. You’d think he bought the winning lottery ticket.
I know it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t make him any promises. I certainly didn’t suggest that he buy stock in the company. But that doesn’t really lessen the guilt. I was their leader. I didn’t do a very good job protecting them. Lots of people lost money. Some of them can simply write this off. But for some, it was their life savings. The company had spiraled out of control. I had lost any say in what went on from the very beginning. Still, I kept a front.
I really thought I could turn this around. I made some deals and gave up as much as I could to try to fix things. But in the end I lost. I lost my enthusiasm, my best years and nearly my life. But that is nothing compared to what Brad’s family lost. They lost Brad.
So today I thanks these people, and I ask for forgiveness:
Brad, Scott, Jack, Mike, Lorraine, Jenn, Jay, Anthony, TJ, Keith, Estelle, Doreen.
Brad took a fuzzy photo of Elvis
——————————
Brad passed away at 5:12 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2009. He fought a
long, hard battle with colon cancer for many years. He was 37 years
old.
He was loved so much and will be missed even more.
Sincerely,
Bill and Sherron
2010
Laugh and the world laughs with you
ttractiveness is in the eye of the beholder. For me its all about laughter. If you can laugh out loud in public, I’m an instant fan. Laughing is about opening yourself and letting go. Allowing your feelings to burst out and forget about the stares from other patrons in the restaurant or library. Just live in that moment of bliss.
My second favorite quality is people who can walk up to the elephant in the room and pet it. Recently during a foody one-upmanship, the person I was talking to ended the contest with “but I can eat sugar”. Right On! Don’t be afraid to make fun of the diabetic. It lets me know that you understand me. I don’t take myself seriously neither should you.
All of the best laughs I’ve had came from the group of guys I worked with at MOLI.com. They picked me apart! From all the Mexican jokes, diabetes roulette, heart attack, nothing was sacred. I love those guys.
Just thinking of that crazy bunch puts a smile on my face.
Today I thank:
Anthony, WW the sugar eater, TJ, Jack, Keith
