pound cake and hot water

Fifteen dollars for a slice of pound cake and a cup of hot water. Would you do that? Me either but I did. I actually thought I would be getting a real breakfast. I suppose the old guard think fifteen dollars quite generous for the privilege of sitting at their elbows. Yes, I was surrounded by mostly old guys in suits. All I could think was, "Fifteen dollars for this?" Before that, I had to get out of bed early and be in town by the barely respectable time of 7:30 a.m. Why did I do that? For an inside chat with MWV and a bit of a discussion on their rebranding at the 1708 Gallery. Because it was sponsored by C3 and I expected something a bit edgy. Nope. Standard PowerPoint exhibiting all mistakes of your basic slide show (too many words, rehash of the speakers content, few images). That's the last time I pay for the honor of sitting in a recreational board room listening to someone spew corporate speak and talk about reaching the little people on the front lines.

As I sat there I wondered where all the vital young people were, the ones who are shaking it up, the ones making things happen. Making things happen elsewhere, obviously. This was old news no one wanted to hear. Most of those present had been involved in the rebranding or were business associates of those involved. What was the point?

I did learn two things. One, the "tried and true" method of rebranding has been inextricably married to organizational development. Two, the market has changed on a global scale and you'd better get on the bus. MWV has just managed to catch that bus.

I have roommate!

Yippee! I have confirmation that I will be rooming with a Mensa buddy at the Omni in Pittsburgh, the convention hotel. We're also splitting gas and parking charges which will save both of use some money. Woo hoo!

AG Here I Come!

As some of you know, I'm a member of Mensa. The local group, Richmond Area Mensa, (of which I am President) has agreed to send me to the Annual Gathering (AG), July 1-5, all expenses paid. It might be more impressive if the AG wasn't in Pittsburgh. However, it is impressive enough. Thank you, guys!

In return, I have promised to blog, report, take pictures, attend business meetings and otherwise make myself useful. So far I've managed to register for the convention, sign up for a three day meal plan and discover that the discount room blocks in both hotels are sold out. I joined a Yahoo! group for AG attendees and have found a roommate (almost) in the convention hotel. It means I'm doing the driving, but I was going to do that anyway. There are a few details to be resolved before I really have a room. I hope it works out.

I'll be posting updates here. I thought about making a new blog dedicated to this trip. Another blog! I need that like I need another hole in my head. So, no. I'll be posting here. I doubt anyone will mind.

song of the day

If I fell

If I fell in love with you
would you promise to be true
and help me understand
'cause I've been in love before
and I found that love is more
than just holding hands

if I give my heart to you
I must be sure from the very start
...

How high the stars?

I don't know how high the stars are but I would like to find out. I would like to explode in all directions at once raking the universe with my awareness, probing the ether, sucking in the wind of change and tasting the eloquence of prediction. Going on forever – tracks of energy shooting through me like a thunderstorm. Dancing in the moonlight, swaying with the trees, connected forever to the way of things, and to you. You my darling. You my precious lump. You.
Current Fads
Listening. Love is Everywhere (iTunes playlist; unpublished); all the birds in the universe outside my windows
Watching. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (best finale ever!) (2009)
Activity. dreaming and/or living the dream in Second Life
Gadget. this here iMac 24" wonder flying carpet
News Source. Google News
Reading. The Druids - Peter Berresford Ellis; The Vicious Vet - M.C. Beaton

First Person: Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

See them while they are here. You missed the festival but blooms should still be available for viewing. Plus, this time of year tourist traffic is down in DC.