This site was originally created as a joke. I blame for challenging me many many years ago to register a domain name... this domain. That was well over a decade ago. We laughed about it and I thought that was the end of it. Well, I began getting pestered about content for the domain by Ray Johnston, one of my all-time favorite bosses on the planet. After all, at that time, my career was the founding webmaster of a global behemoth retailer. I didn't have time and nor did I really care. I still don't. That's why this site is purely Theatre of the Mind. Brain Candy. And, should you be interested in buying this domain... well, send me an offer. We'll talk.
When you are in a workplace, whether you understand it at the time... some people inherently become a part of your extended family. That is, unless, you are socially inhibited and a total recluse. I have been so incredibly fortunate to have established healthy relationships with peers and on up the food chain. I know their families, their interests, their aspirations and the amazing things that they have done in the workplace. Part of being a good colleague is being able to listen and be trustworthy with their personal challenges without using information for your gain. It's not that way everywhere, as I have both perceived and experienced. There are some individuals that just make you smile because of their idiosyncrasies and healthy people accept the little things for what they are and realize that it takes quite a bit more than eccentricity to make a person "bad". Trust me... I've met some BAD people in Corporate America and quite amazed at how little they do and how malicious some can be. But, for the most part, focusing on those people who have taken you under their wing; praised you for your achievements; worked with you in the wee hours of the morning on million-dollar technical issues; groomed you to be the very best that you can be... I owe so much of my ability to those who recognized my genuine interest and authentic desire to learn everything (all at once, of course) to a small army of very unique and brilliant people. I believe firmly in the 'surround yourself with eagles' statement. If you're around turkeys, you become flightless and all you can do is gobble and be eaten. I worked with and for great leaders, who at the time most likely doubted themselves and their own capabilities. But, there is nothing more fascinating than watching an executive take off his suit jacket and roll up the sleeves and start working with the entire network engineering staff on a backbone issue. To this day, I still recall thinking, "I wanna be just that kind of leader." How cool is that? That is purely why we were as great as we were. That is why we can achieve the impossible still today. It was never about the money... it was about passion and a quest for excellence. It wasn't preached -- it was witnessed. It was the culture. Culture requires a keen amount of Diversity and being open-minded. It is an appreciation for the differences and what we each can bring to the table. A team is not an individual and unless you're Einstein, a lot of things cannot be accomplished in today's world going it solo. What I was given was more than any paycheck could ever provide. I have life-long friendships and some of the fondest memories a person could ever enjoy. How cool is THAT?
I welcome your comments... as usual.
There is reason. You do not comprehend it.