I don't want to lose you tonight

They finally made my favorite song into a music video. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2oayC54dg&feature=related

Function or Form?

Now that both of the people that have read my previous post have had time to think about Dr. Seuss and those crazy buildings he used to draw, I’d like to ask you: Do you think those buildings would be practical and functional in this world? Probably not.

I was talking about the current state of the Republican Party in this country with a buddy of mine and he asked me a question that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about; “What comes first – Function or Form?”

Instinctively, my answer was that function should precede form (thinking in terms of my industry – engineering/design). After all, what good is a beautiful building or piece of equipment if the design that it originated from failed to consider the necessary function?

Still confused, I asked my friend to tell me where he was coming from with regards to the question.

He began by talking about the embarrassment Republicans were recently subjected to during the elections (both on the Federal and State levels). We talked about candidates that we thought should have received nominations during the primaries. It was agreed that there seemed to be true "Republican" candidates in contention for their party’s nomination during the primaries, but failed to receive the nod. Why were they beaten out by opponents with a less "Republican" record? Why were they beaten out by opponents that may have just seemed more “appealing” on a superficial level?

He made the case that in today’s political atmosphere, it seems more important to look “cool” instead of having the experience and ability to perform any necessary function while in office.

Is that where we have found ourselves currently? Has the “Reality Show” mentality overcome our sense of responsibility? Are we more worried about an outward appearance over ability to function? Are we living in a Dr. Seuss book?!

I’m going to leave this open for any discussion/comments for the time being. Do you agree? I don’t think that there is much debate over the function and form issue. I think the question comes in as it pertains to today’s political atmosphere.

Mr. Cool-Lo Brown

No tip for you!

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing letters written to people or individuals that irritate, upset, or piss me off. It should be therapeutic and hopefully somewhat entertaining.


Dear Bajio of Jordan Landing,

What the hell makes you think that you deserve a tip. All you did was ask me if i wanted black or pinto beans and then slap me down a half ass burrito. Why on earth do you have a huge ass aquarium sized tip bowl on the counter and why the hell are people putting money in it(I realize I just answered my own question). Secondly you have the audacity to print a space for a tip on my credit card receipt. Stop it!

Generally speaking the following actions merit some type of gratuity(upon reading this you will realize that you do none of these).

1. Bring me my food. You couldn't do this if you wanted to. First your business model prevents this and second the tip aquarium is too big to get around. No tip for you!
2. Fill up my drink. I had to get up and step away from a intellectually stimulating conversation with Cool-lo Brown and fill up my own soda. No tip for you!
3. Be friendly. I don't recall any words being spoken by your staff other than black or pinto beans( i chose black in case you where wondering).
4. Use words I can understand.
6. Pick up after me


So as you can see you get no tip. Thank you for your understanding and have a nice day.

Derek Jones

Midnight star - No Parking on the Dance Floor

A friend of mine reminded me of this video today. Take a minute and check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Uj1u86lrE

Do You Ever Feel Like You're Living In A Dr. Seuss Book?

Remember those oddball buildings that Dr. Seuss used to draw and put in his books? You know the ones I’m talking about! They were leaning in every direction imaginable and were being held up by a single, little stick. Although those buildings are fantastic to look at, we all know that they're completely impossible in this world.

After thinking about those pictures, look around and ask yourself this:

Do you ever feel like you’re living in a Dr. Seuss book?

More to come….

Mr. Cool-Lo Brown

Just be yourself

A few random thoughts from my upcoming book.

“He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away.” – Raymond Hull

I just got done reading Jay Mathew’s Work Hard. Be Nice. Mathews follows the lives of educational geniuses, Dave Levin and Mike Feinburg. The two are responsible for the Knowledge is Power Program KIPP and for revolutionizing low-income and at risk student education. During a particularly discouraging time the two share the following self-realization: “We were trying too hard to be what we thought teachers should be and not trying hard enough to be ourselves.” Levin and Feinburg have since gone on to re-write the book on education in American and have started over 80 Knowledge is Power Program schools across the nation.

Everyone has different back grounds, upbringings and perspectives. Some are rich some are poor, and yes, some are stupid. Regardless of what our background is we should be proud of who we are, and proud of what we have accomplished.

I grow weary of seeing people change themselves in order to meet the acceptance of others. In a typical workplace or office there are generally a few people whose egos are fed daily by butt kissers, brown noser’s or worse, people who denounce their personal beliefs hoping to be accepted by someone higher than them on the food chain. Such acceptance is temporary and is far outweighed by the long term satisfaction that comes from being true to yourself.

Being true to yourself means to be true to the very best that is in you. Not what you think the best is in someone else. ..

Derek


Copyright 2009 Jones and brown

Seigfried's German Deli

I thought I'd add a little review on a local joint which I ate at today:

I went down the street for lunch today. Went to a little place called Seigfried's (Located just west of Main St. on 200 South) and it didn't just fill my belly. It blew my mind!

All I had in mind to eat was a bratwurst but I ended up buying the pork steak and bratwurst with some fried potatoes as a side dish. Simply amazing and I got all that for $8 and change.

I'd say the only draw back to eating there for lunch (at least during a work day) is the lunch coma that you want to fall in to once you get back to your office. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm not going to be getting much work done for the rest of the day.

Mr. Cool-Lo Brown