It's been nearly two years since Katrina changed so many lives, challenged our government and strained our economy. Let's hope we are ready this year and have learned something.
I remember Katrina each year because without any doubt, it changed my personal view on how quickly things can change, no matter who you are. Because no matter who you are, or how careful you consider each decision you make, each time, every day, in the end, it may not matter. Because control is governed by nature. Control is a myth. You have no control over what happens in your body or what happens when a Hurricane comes to town with a bead on your home.
I spent two weeks in 2005 building a "Mash-type" restaurant and cooking for thousands of strangers where water surged over 30 feet, leaving boats in trees and houses blocks away from their foundations. I met and fed soldiers, ministers, mechanics, doctors, volunteers, police, firemen, the homeless, even FEMA. All were thankful for a hot meal on a devistated corner, where we had the only light shining. We were the new town center at Pass Christian, Miss for a bit, where friends and family would meet, check fingers and toes and rediscover the true meaning of grace.
I am truly grateful for this way-out-of-my-comfort-zone experience that I was volunteered for. It really is my personal thanksgiving day...because I remember how much a Cheeseburger with bacon meant to so many, how grateful they were to have it and how awfully good it felt to be there, doing that, for them.
Katrina changed my view of control, of loss and what matters most. If you have the opportunity to help others during a crisis, selflessly, you will never be the same person after...I guarantee it.
Volunteer
Monday, August 20, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Excuse me...I am not too old to be funded!
Click on the above link to the NY Times article.
The environment for today’s entrepreneurs is far different in a number of ways from the boom of the late ’90s.
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Amazing...never thought it would happen but it is official, there is age discrimination in Silicon Valley and that's a fact. I hear it over and over. But people are genuinely afraid to mention it, talk about it or blog about it. True, it's their money (they actually think it's their money) so they can make any decision they want. But really, are the over 30 crowd all washed up? Are we out of ideas? Do we really not get that information super highway thing? Is it true we can't be trusted over 30? Or, are we all looking for the senior special at Denny's and a price break at the movies? Give me a break.
I'm researching this and asking anyone and everyone to collaborate on this BS. I want to write about first or even second-hand experiences with this topic. Hell, I'll take gossip. Please make this post a collaborative effort so don't just make comments. Send me your stories, and if you want, your name and a photo. This is for the over 30 crowd. The ones with experience, access, resources, ideas, capital, energy, track record, references other than a professor and an RA and a mind of our own...or is that what they are afraid of?
The venture community, at least my sampling, worries me. They all seem to have the same mindset and web 1.0 comes to my mind. Sure the environment is different, the exit strategies are less explosive and harmful, but still, not a lot of original thinking. I posted Pink Floyd's the wall from YouTube™ because this is how I see them. Start at about 2:00 min remaining and you will see my point. Even more interesting, the Wall was filmed in 1982, about the average age of the average founder of the average technology start up backed by the average VC...at least in the Valley.
Click on the following two articles for more information:
Bitch Slapping Rude
According to the Urban Dictionary, bitch slap is putting someone in their place (or diss) in no uncertain terms. I want to whack rude out of our society and help make courtesy and manners more mainstream.
This post is about that...bitch slapping rude. The first step is being able to identify it, write about it and talk about it. Then, we may be able to recognize it and prevent it from occurring.
Object lesson
Coming home from a rock concert last night at about midnight there was a huge crowd of people jockeying for position as we exited the parking lot. While most of the drivers were lining up, a few ill-mannered folks were trying to cheat and cut in line to save 20 seconds. Horns were honking and generally, the high from the cool summer concert was lost by a few ill-mannered, rude drivers disrespecting others. Come on, get in line, relax and be courteous.
So, what's your experience?
While:
> Driving
> Shopping
> Working
> On an airplane
> Giving a presentation
> Having dinner
> ??
This post is about that...bitch slapping rude. The first step is being able to identify it, write about it and talk about it. Then, we may be able to recognize it and prevent it from occurring.
Object lesson
Coming home from a rock concert last night at about midnight there was a huge crowd of people jockeying for position as we exited the parking lot. While most of the drivers were lining up, a few ill-mannered folks were trying to cheat and cut in line to save 20 seconds. Horns were honking and generally, the high from the cool summer concert was lost by a few ill-mannered, rude drivers disrespecting others. Come on, get in line, relax and be courteous.
So, what's your experience?
While:
> Driving
> Shopping
> Working
> On an airplane
> Giving a presentation
> Having dinner
> ??
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