My laptop decided to die on me. Stupid Micro-Crap piece of junk. Anyways, I decided to try and give it some extra life and put Ubuntu Linux on it. It has been an experience. Even for a geek like me, I’ve not been completely happy with Linux.
Anyways, this is just a test to see how this blog poster works out. I’ll get some more up soon. Especially about the newly expanding? Hickory Sinkhole.
On Saturday, April 4th at 2:00pm in the Arts & Science Center Auditorium (next to Patrick Beaver library) the 2nd South Carolina String Band will be having a performance of Civil War music. The City of Hickory is advertising it
“Hear music as it sounded to Civil War soldiers performed by one of the most popular and active Civil War camp bands in the country.”
Here is a sample of Dixie’s Land: Dixie’s Land (off site.)
This event sounds like great fun, I hope you can all make it out.
The Personal MBA I have been working on my career and focusing on personal development here lately. I just received a promotion at work and am now in a position of leadership, so I wanted to move past the basic skills that I learned earning my BA. I stumbled across the Personal MBA (pMBA) blog/reading list put up annually by Josh Kaufman and knew that I had to incorporate the reading program into my personal development.
I think this is a great resource to anyone looking to improve leadership and career skills. I love to read and am a lifelong learner. But the prospects of attending Grad School to work on my MBA is not something that I can see pursuing right now. The solution is The Personal MBA reading list.
The first two books I chose to read aren’t actually on this years list, but they have been on my to read list for quite a while. First up I read
This book is a fantastic guide to building relationships and networking (not a dirty word) in life and business. I had wanted to read this for a while after hearing wonderful things about the book, but I am naturally a wallflower. I am not one of the power networkers that you picture when you think about books like this. But that is the key to this book. Keith Ferrazzi walks you thru how to build meaningful relationships and friendships built around the “What you can do for them” concept instead of a cynical “What can they do for me” outlook. Mirroring advice by Dale Carnegie, the book puts emphasis on having something to say. I have to admit that I have been like the students Ferrazzi talks about that walk up after a lecture and say “Wow, that was great,” and then have nothing to add so I would end up feeling awkward and unsuccessful.
I highly recommend this book to everyone that needs a little help in building relationships, wether they be for business or otherwise.
Next up on my reading list is The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization by John C. Maxwell | LibraryThing
I’ll put up a quick recap of the book once I am finished.
I will be working thru the actual pMBA list here in the near future.
I wanted to pass on a couple of interesting BBQ related items that have come to my attention:
- Butches BBQ in Hickory-Butches bbq hickory nc – Google Maps, has changed its name to Judges BBQ. Still under the same ownership and serving the same Q.
- Lazy Dog Smokehouse and Saloon is now open in Hickory! The joint is hopping every night and look for a review of the Q coming soon. Directions: 2710 N CENTER ST HICKORY NC – Google Maps (The location was formerly the site of the much loved BT’s Burgers.)
- From the founder of the North Carolina BBQ Society comes a new book that I absolutely must have!
Will McKinney has written a new guidebook to North Carolina BBQ called Holy Smoke, Will McKinney, Book – Barnes & Noble. As soon as next payday rolls around and I can pick this bad boy up from the local bookstore, I’ll get a quick synopsis up with a review to follow. I am really looking forward to this book!
- A brand new blog has appeared on the NC BBQ scene. With great reviews, a good sense of humor, and some pretty cool recipes. BBQ Jew is one of my new must reads with lines like: “Shalom!This site shows what happens when the “Chosen People” choose pork. North Carolina pork barbecue to be specific. Restaurant reviews and other posts are added to the main page. The tabs at the top of the page link to more BBQ content. L’Chaim!” And this “Kosher BBQ Recipe”:
Kosher Barbecue
1 small scoop chopped pork BBQ
1 large scoop denial
*Close your eyes, mix ingredients together, take a bite and tell yourself, “I am eating brisket, I am eating brisket.” Please check out and subscribe to this wonderful blog.
My fiancee Amber is a jewelry designer that has been making necklaces, bracelets, and earrings locally for several years now. I am so excited about this, because she now has earrings on display for sale at By George Hair Salon on Cloninger Mill Rd off of Hwy 127 in Hickory, NC .
All of Amber’s jewelry is hypoallergenic using quality materials like silver for the hooks and attachments. Amber uses only the finest beads and stones in her work. She is also able to make items to custom order, so if you see something in a catalog that you would love to have but just can’t afford… talk to Amber. She can make it higher in quality and less expensive.
Please stop by and visit By George for your next haircut or nail appointment in a great atmosphere. And while you are here, why not pick up a pair of gorgeous earrings? For special orders or inquiries about necklaces and bracelets email Amber at Amber.Killian@google.com
44 Cloninger Mill Rd NE
Hickory, NC 28601(828) 261-0222
As you may or may not know, I am a magic enthusiast. I am a member of SAM (The Society of American Magicians) and have made several pilgrimages to the wonderful Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, along with additional trips to Las Vegas, Nevada to see my idols Penn and Teller and The Amazing Jonathon. Introduced to magic by my college mentor Dr. Charles McCall, I have tended to shy away from actual performance (I don’t want my clumsy attempts to hurt the art, and unnecessarily expose secrets) but I’m absolutely nuts about the history of this greatest performance art form: conjuring and prestidigitation. -I love that word… Prestidigitation. So cool… Anyways:
The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman isn’t the first Houdini biography that I’ve read, but it is a very good biography that is quite well written and tells some previously unknown stories about Harry Houdini. The authors thankfully do away with the myth that Houdini had “mommy issues” as was put forward in another biography of the great magician.
The biggest shell shocking question that Kalush and Sloman ask is: Was Harry Houdini a spy? We’ve all heard of his exploits at escaping from handcuffs and straightjackets; heard how the first thing he would do upon arriving in town was challenge the local police chief or sheriff to lock him up in one of their unescapable cells — only to have Houdini escape immediately (in front of a throng of reporters and onlookers helped ensure that his show that evening would include a packed house.) This and more has given us the mythic image of Houdini that has survived thru the generations. But, was Houdini working for the US Secret Service (then the only national law enforcement agency and intelligence bureau) as well as for the newly formed MI-5 in England at the beginning of World War I?
The book also goes into great detail about Houdini’s relationship with the “Spiritualist Movement” that he devoted so much of his life to debunking. Houdini’s relationship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is probed as well, giving us a new view of the famous mystery author.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of magic or a student of history. Very well written and researched, I am sure this will become one of the standard texts on Houdini and of great value to those studying the era.
Also of interest is a book that I have formerly read dealing with magicians and the culture of the US Secret Service. Glen David Gold’s Carter Beats The Devil is the novelization of the life of magician Charles Carter (Carter The Great) that also delves into the operation of the US Secret Service in the 1920’s.
Checking the mail is often such a mundane experience: bill; bill; junk mail; come to our church; past due bill; etc… But every once in a while a jewel is delivered that lifts you up. Far surpassing expectations, absolutely making your day. This jewel? Why, it’s The J. Peterman Company catalogue of course.
Those of you who are Seinfeld fans know J. Peterman as he was played to perfection by John O’Hurley. The creative staff and writers of the show culled from these catalogues a well traveled character so over the top you couldn’t help but love him.
The J. Peterman catalogue is a true joy to receive in the post. (Hey why can’t I try to become a little more like our intrepid traveler and guide to the treasures of the world?) With write-ups like this:
“Waves crashing amidships. The gudgeon snaps. “Quick, man…a weasel pin!” Just happen to have one here in my top right pocket. The vest that saves the day aboard ship, on the shoot, in the the trout stream, at the airport, anyplace where organization is all that stands between you and chaos…”
I want to immediately don some khakis and head off on an African safari, climb in the Himalayas, and then sit for a nice cup of espresso in a Parisian cafe.
The catalogue is a true joy to read, and I encourage you to join the mailing list, visit the website, and even make a purchase if you are so bold. Here’s to finding a little bit of that J. Peterman spirit inside each of us!
J. Peterman riding tall in the saddle again – Your Business- msnbc.com
Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History by Fawn McKay Brodie is the groundbreaking and (at first at least) controversial biography that laid out the academic case for Sally Hemmings being Thomas Jefferson’s lover/concubine. The book has gained credibility among scholars since its initial publication. There still continue to be those who defend Jefferson’s honor (notably direct descendants) but the overall picture of Jefferson is one of a slave owner that never faced his own moral problems with slavery and in fact committed the unforgivable crime (at his own time) of “relations” with a black woman. History has judged him for his relations with a women he kept enslaved on his plantation.
Thomas Jefferson is a personal hero of mine. As a student of Political Science, Jefferson’s writings are almost holy objects to be revered and treasured. In fact, Amber has promised to take the trip up with me to visit Monticello.
While I’m speaking of Thomas Jefferson, I must mention Author and Public Radio personality Clay Jenkinson (Becoming Jefferson’s People,)
Mr. Jenkinson (pictured lower right), portrays the third President of the United States in his weekly show (available by podcast) Mr. Jenkinson as Jefferson enlightens the audience to all things Jeffersonian, Revolutionary, the Founding of our nation, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and he even branches out into portraying Theodore Roosevelt and Robert Openheimer. I have seen Mr. Jenkinson in person at one of his lectures in Bakersfield, CA and even though I am not in the right radio market anymore, I am an avid listener to the Thomas Jefferson Hour podcast.
The Sea Rover’s Practice: Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730 by Benerson Little is one of those books that has been on my wish list for a very long time. As soon as I heard about it, I knew that I just had to buy and read it. Little, (a former NAVY SEAL) doesn’t disappoint.
From sailing tactics, cutting out operations, to how small guerilla groups (Bands of Pirates) operate from ship-to-ship, shore-to-ship, and on shore.
This book immediately became one of my absolute favorites. It is a practical step by step review of the tactics and techniques that pirates would use to operate against merchant vessels, towns, and even the occasional military vessel. Reading thru the book is like reading a manual on guerilla warfare in the nautical realm.
The real benefit of reading the book is having Little’s firsthand experience as an “operator” with knowledge of what actually works and doesn’t work in the field.
As someone that is interested in both nautical history, and absolutely gonzo for all things pirate, this book is a treasure trove of information. I highly recommend it to everyone.
I just finished the biography Nelson: Love & Fame by Edgar Vincent. This very good bio follows Nelson from birth and childhood all the way thru his triumph at Trafalgar.
(Cool Picture: msmail)
The book is very good. Especially the parts covering Nelson’s early career in the Royal Navy. These chapters read like something out of CS Forester or Patrick O’Brien with lots of action in very good detail.
The end of the book follows the convoluted relationships that took over Nelson’s life near the end. His failed marriage with Lady Nelson, the love affair with Emma Hamilton, and the complicated political relationships with members of the Admiralty.
Overall the book is a good read, although the focus on Nelson’s emotions tends to be a tad bit over the top. It is striking to read about how much the great naval hero struggled with what they would have called melancholy in his time. There are other good books about the history of Trafalgar or Nelson’s career, but this one does a good job at introducing you to the person that was the hero of England.
