As a young boy, I always reveled in the visit of my uncle, Fr. Ed DeCoursey. He was my grandmothers brother, and the youngest. He had stayed in Ireland in the seminary when his brother and sister came alone on the ship to avoid the famine...
When he visited us on the important holidays, he would always have his stories---my dad explained that this was "the blarney." My parents and their friends found them hilarous...to me they were pretty exaggerated and I did not really understand them...As I grew older, I remembered them and reveled in their wisdom....I learned that ya have to really laugh to get the wisdom.
I have published the short "blarney" stories of Fr. Kevin Dooley in a blog I call "The Blarney Blog". The feed of audio for this is on the right side of the Reflections blog. Remember---this is exaggerated and.....blarney. Ya have to laugh to get the wisdom.
Click on the post for one episode.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The "Tough Question" Rule
Back in 1971 I worked in Personnel at American Family----I did interviewing, and once did over 50 interviews in one day----
In EVERY interview, if the company is SERIOUS about the applicant---there will be a TOUGH QUESTION. Normally it goes to a perceived weakness of the applicant, but more than that, it tests the applicants composure under fire......SO
WELCOME the TOUGH QUESTION. Prepare for it---when you hear it SMILE and then hit the ball out of the ballpark.
I well remember the interview for my job at EF Hutton----I drove to Chicago on gas fumes and stayed with my cousin Peggy. Then I drove downton for the interview, with a burly guy who managed the whole Midwest.
In the middle of the interview, he said:
"Well, your resume seems impressive, but it seems you never made any money in your life so far"
I smiled and said: " I have created and sold two businesses of my own as going concerns--very few Americans can say that, and I have learned from it...and that is the experience that I bring to EF HUtton.
I got the job. It was the right answer.
Prepare for the question...Be ready....If you get only smiles and compliments on your hair...that means they are not interested in you....
Remember Machievelli-----the real world requires difficult questions...It is prudent to show your stuff when the questions come.
In EVERY interview, if the company is SERIOUS about the applicant---there will be a TOUGH QUESTION. Normally it goes to a perceived weakness of the applicant, but more than that, it tests the applicants composure under fire......SO
WELCOME the TOUGH QUESTION. Prepare for it---when you hear it SMILE and then hit the ball out of the ballpark.
I well remember the interview for my job at EF Hutton----I drove to Chicago on gas fumes and stayed with my cousin Peggy. Then I drove downton for the interview, with a burly guy who managed the whole Midwest.
In the middle of the interview, he said:
"Well, your resume seems impressive, but it seems you never made any money in your life so far"
I smiled and said: " I have created and sold two businesses of my own as going concerns--very few Americans can say that, and I have learned from it...and that is the experience that I bring to EF HUtton.
I got the job. It was the right answer.
Prepare for the question...Be ready....If you get only smiles and compliments on your hair...that means they are not interested in you....
Remember Machievelli-----the real world requires difficult questions...It is prudent to show your stuff when the questions come.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Buying the Tear Gas; Selling the Peace:
Well today the news is all filled with the riots in the streets of Greece. It seems that Wall Street this morning is very optimistic that a deal can be reached by the Greek legislature so that minimum wage earners have their wages cut---its called the new austerity. It seems that the IMF and Wall Steet is real excited about this prospect for Greece....and who knows maybe for the United States too....just wait a few months or years....
In reviewing the news last week, it seemed that every day the financial markets were switching emotions faster than a love sick teenager---one might surmise that this was all rational behavior. From my perspective it was just one planted story by the bulls who owned calls or the bears who owned puts, and all just in time for option expiration. In short, most of what we have been reading is just bought and paid for by the commercial gamblers on Wall Street----and while I revel in the new freedom of online publishing, with blogs etc, I mourn the chaos that has produced mostly the tower of babel in real time.
Thats how I see it. And you?
In reviewing the news last week, it seemed that every day the financial markets were switching emotions faster than a love sick teenager---one might surmise that this was all rational behavior. From my perspective it was just one planted story by the bulls who owned calls or the bears who owned puts, and all just in time for option expiration. In short, most of what we have been reading is just bought and paid for by the commercial gamblers on Wall Street----and while I revel in the new freedom of online publishing, with blogs etc, I mourn the chaos that has produced mostly the tower of babel in real time.
Thats how I see it. And you?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Audio: Sermon: Fr. Kevin Dooley: Pentacost Sunday: 6/12/2011
Audio: Sermons of Fr. Kevin Dooley: 6/12/2011: Pentacost Sunday: "Fired Up"
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Audio: Fr. Dooley's Easter Sermon: 4/24/2011
Audio; Fr. Kevin Dooley; Easter Sunday; St. Paul's Church; Evansville, Wisconisn 4/24/2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Audio: Fr. Kevin Dooley: July 19, 2009
Ed.note: Almost 3000 people have downloaded this sermon in two years...seems this is on the top ten most popular sermons. )
Audio; Sermon of the Week: Fr. Kevin Dooley, St. Paul's Church: July 19, 2009----"What is "Want"?
Audio; Sermon of the Week: Fr. Kevin Dooley, St. Paul's Church: July 19, 2009----"What is "Want"?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sermon of the Week: "Tempt"
Audio; Sermon of the Week: Fr. Kevin Dooley: March 13, 2011: On Temptation
Friday, February 18, 2011
I Escaped to Rockford, Illinois and Was Saved
I love action movies...but these days I need a shorter film version each night....and I have begun watching the "Rockford Files." Yes...the ones that I used to watch when I was a lot younger...These shows seem to have just the right mix of action, romance and suspense that I need.
It was a shock to note yesterday that in Madison, Wisconsin our legislators, in order to save the democratic process itself...had to escape to Rockford, Illinois in order for rational democratic process to survive. Just the thought of leaving everything and escaping to Rockford, Illinois is a terrifying thought itself.
It was a shock to note yesterday that in Madison, Wisconsin our legislators, in order to save the democratic process itself...had to escape to Rockford, Illinois in order for rational democratic process to survive. Just the thought of leaving everything and escaping to Rockford, Illinois is a terrifying thought itself.
"Sacrifice" and "Slavery" are different
With the demonstrations in progress in Madison this week, the politicos have been busy spinning away----
There was and is a budget crisis. There will be sacrifice and cuts. Slavery or Union Busting is not required..
After every election, the politicos emerge....you know...the ones that claim that their narrow victory was a "mandate". The rush of victory seems to confuse leaders between what a "Governor" means, and what a "King" looks like.
Democratic process matters.
There was and is a budget crisis. There will be sacrifice and cuts. Slavery or Union Busting is not required..
After every election, the politicos emerge....you know...the ones that claim that their narrow victory was a "mandate". The rush of victory seems to confuse leaders between what a "Governor" means, and what a "King" looks like.
Democratic process matters.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
On Plenty, On Satisfaction, On Much, Much More
On Plenty; Or, Why a lot of a little is a little and a little of a lot is a lot; Or, a thought on parables
Phil Laut was a new age author that I had the pleasure of meeting in 1984 just after he had published his first book, “Money is my Friend.” In the beginning of this book, Phil examines the nature of “satisfaction.” In real life it is clear that some folks cannot be satisfied by the amount of money they have. Their life is a constant quest followed by the feeling of being disappointed. The question is whether the feeling or the fact comes first? According to Phil Laut, the sense of having plenty comes before the plenty itself, and also the sense of scarcity always comes before the scarcity itself. The feeling comes before the fact. Anyway, this was a pretty striking thought for me back in 1984. Being a man of action. Who would have thought that feeling had anything to do with it. Anyway.
Phil Laut's whole discussion makes me think back on the parable of the loaves and fishes. The verse goes that the crowd was fed and was “ satisfied. ‘ Now was it that the loaves and fishes were so much multiplied, or was it that in the state of peace their anxiety was reduced and hunger was taken away? From the story, one cannot say for sure. Was the multiplication of the loaves and fishes all about the feeling or the fact ? The reason I point this out is that the parables tell a story to make a point. Might the point have been lost? Lost right in the midst of doing the math.
Along with the concept of plenty, is the concept of what a “ little” is. And what a “lot” is. We often see people that want to dominate every transaction but in their enthusiasm to get every dime, make sure they fail.. The effort to dominate does not result in huge success. Thus comes the saying, "a lot of a little is a little."
On the other hand, there is the rule that “ a little of a lot is a lot.” A good example of this is the computer programmer that comes up with a novel idea of how to handle text that can be used worldwide. However, it is just a part of a larger program, a fact he recognizes. In working for the larger program success, his element gets worldwide sales and he becomes rich.
The key thing that makes this happen is an attitude of allowing others to participate in a large idea and just keep a little for oneself. The attitude comes before the reality. Feeling before fact.
I still do really like those action movies. This all does make me wonder about those loaves and fishes though.
Phil Laut was a new age author that I had the pleasure of meeting in 1984 just after he had published his first book, “Money is my Friend.” In the beginning of this book, Phil examines the nature of “satisfaction.” In real life it is clear that some folks cannot be satisfied by the amount of money they have. Their life is a constant quest followed by the feeling of being disappointed. The question is whether the feeling or the fact comes first? According to Phil Laut, the sense of having plenty comes before the plenty itself, and also the sense of scarcity always comes before the scarcity itself. The feeling comes before the fact. Anyway, this was a pretty striking thought for me back in 1984. Being a man of action. Who would have thought that feeling had anything to do with it. Anyway.
Phil Laut's whole discussion makes me think back on the parable of the loaves and fishes. The verse goes that the crowd was fed and was “ satisfied. ‘ Now was it that the loaves and fishes were so much multiplied, or was it that in the state of peace their anxiety was reduced and hunger was taken away? From the story, one cannot say for sure. Was the multiplication of the loaves and fishes all about the feeling or the fact ? The reason I point this out is that the parables tell a story to make a point. Might the point have been lost? Lost right in the midst of doing the math.
Along with the concept of plenty, is the concept of what a “ little” is. And what a “lot” is. We often see people that want to dominate every transaction but in their enthusiasm to get every dime, make sure they fail.. The effort to dominate does not result in huge success. Thus comes the saying, "a lot of a little is a little."
On the other hand, there is the rule that “ a little of a lot is a lot.” A good example of this is the computer programmer that comes up with a novel idea of how to handle text that can be used worldwide. However, it is just a part of a larger program, a fact he recognizes. In working for the larger program success, his element gets worldwide sales and he becomes rich.
The key thing that makes this happen is an attitude of allowing others to participate in a large idea and just keep a little for oneself. The attitude comes before the reality. Feeling before fact.
I still do really like those action movies. This all does make me wonder about those loaves and fishes though.
2005: The Power of Persistence, or Norwegian Wood
Norwegian Wood
Some time ago, I wrote an article about my friend, Denny, the agricultural science professor and rock star. My old roommate, Rich Ginnaty has prompted me, to relate the rest of the story.
The three of us, Rich, Denny and I had moved into the bachelor pad on the edge of Dinky Town in Minneapolis, just next to the railroad tracks. It was the fall of 1969 and it was that time of our lives when we were between steady girlfriends. Rich, who had just completed his BS in accounting and was working his first job, was for us a guru financial advisor. One evening after work, we noticed that three beautiful women had moved just next door. One especially was striking, tall, brown hair and we had heard a rumor that she was a beauty queen from somewhere up north---the really frozen tundra.
We had to ask ourselves then what three pretty commonplace guys could possibly have that might attract such fine women. Rich, ever the financial analyst had us list our assets and liabilities. Yes, we were light on cash. Yes, we had extensive financial liabilities. However, we had the musical talent of Denny and his guitar. We groaned. Alas, he knew just five songs. Quickly we went over the five. Ok. Number two was Norwegian Wood. Bingo. That was the answer.
Next we had to review our looks. They were ok, but we needed something of a “superhero look,” something that might elevate Denny from “roofers helper” to renaissance minstrel. Quickly we went over our clothing stock. There was a very large bath towel, purple. There were some white long johns and some red shorts as well as a white shirt. Quickly we put it together to form a “superman” effect.
When all the girls had gotten home from school we began singing “Norwegian wood” through the wall at first. After singing for an hour we realized that the wall was dampening our sound and it was possible that they were not able to clearly hear our plaintive message. So, we moved to the balcony. Presto. In just another 15 minutes there was a loud rap on our door.
Breathlessly we opened the door. “ Well,” the tall dark haired one said, “we will give you two choices! Either come over for coffee or we will call the police.” Bingo.
So there it is. The whole story. On persistence. On determination. On what it takes to succeed.
Even today, I always have confidence that even if the long-range memory and short range memory is failing, I will always remember the lyrics to Norwegian Wood and that may be the difference.
Some time ago, I wrote an article about my friend, Denny, the agricultural science professor and rock star. My old roommate, Rich Ginnaty has prompted me, to relate the rest of the story.
The three of us, Rich, Denny and I had moved into the bachelor pad on the edge of Dinky Town in Minneapolis, just next to the railroad tracks. It was the fall of 1969 and it was that time of our lives when we were between steady girlfriends. Rich, who had just completed his BS in accounting and was working his first job, was for us a guru financial advisor. One evening after work, we noticed that three beautiful women had moved just next door. One especially was striking, tall, brown hair and we had heard a rumor that she was a beauty queen from somewhere up north---the really frozen tundra.
We had to ask ourselves then what three pretty commonplace guys could possibly have that might attract such fine women. Rich, ever the financial analyst had us list our assets and liabilities. Yes, we were light on cash. Yes, we had extensive financial liabilities. However, we had the musical talent of Denny and his guitar. We groaned. Alas, he knew just five songs. Quickly we went over the five. Ok. Number two was Norwegian Wood. Bingo. That was the answer.
Next we had to review our looks. They were ok, but we needed something of a “superhero look,” something that might elevate Denny from “roofers helper” to renaissance minstrel. Quickly we went over our clothing stock. There was a very large bath towel, purple. There were some white long johns and some red shorts as well as a white shirt. Quickly we put it together to form a “superman” effect.
When all the girls had gotten home from school we began singing “Norwegian wood” through the wall at first. After singing for an hour we realized that the wall was dampening our sound and it was possible that they were not able to clearly hear our plaintive message. So, we moved to the balcony. Presto. In just another 15 minutes there was a loud rap on our door.
Breathlessly we opened the door. “ Well,” the tall dark haired one said, “we will give you two choices! Either come over for coffee or we will call the police.” Bingo.
So there it is. The whole story. On persistence. On determination. On what it takes to succeed.
Even today, I always have confidence that even if the long-range memory and short range memory is failing, I will always remember the lyrics to Norwegian Wood and that may be the difference.
2005: Car Care and Cardiology---a true story
Update----
Yesterday, I had to take the green Mazda in to see if
I could get the air bag sensor light to stop flashing.
It has been a very draining couple of months with car
care expenses, so I was very aprehensive. The
estimate was about $400.
After waiting two hours, I asked what was up. The
service guy said they had put in the new air bag wheel
sensor and that the codes were still flashing and that
they would have to "Check further".
I said," No. No check further, take out the new part,
put in the old and give me my car back. Further, it is
probably a diagnosis error and I want you to cut the
labor in half."
I paced in the parking lot in 90 deg heat for 45
minutes swearing, praying and wondering what to do now
that it appeared that we would never fix the car.
Indeed, God was dead. So....I said...
"Yo...God...if you are around, big guy, I would
appreciate some help here."
Ten minutes later, Sue called telling me she was
working late. I shared my total despair.
On the way home with the car, the cell phone rang.
Sue had some words from Laura from cardiology. Laura
said to fill the gas in the car to full and force all
the air out of the tank. She had heard on "Click and
Clack" that the sensors were so sensitive that this
could set them off. I filled it up. The blinking
lights on the airbag disppeared.
Does God live? Well.... I do know when we get
our best car care from cardiology, something is up.
Yesterday, I had to take the green Mazda in to see if
I could get the air bag sensor light to stop flashing.
It has been a very draining couple of months with car
care expenses, so I was very aprehensive. The
estimate was about $400.
After waiting two hours, I asked what was up. The
service guy said they had put in the new air bag wheel
sensor and that the codes were still flashing and that
they would have to "Check further".
I said," No. No check further, take out the new part,
put in the old and give me my car back. Further, it is
probably a diagnosis error and I want you to cut the
labor in half."
I paced in the parking lot in 90 deg heat for 45
minutes swearing, praying and wondering what to do now
that it appeared that we would never fix the car.
Indeed, God was dead. So....I said...
"Yo...God...if you are around, big guy, I would
appreciate some help here."
Ten minutes later, Sue called telling me she was
working late. I shared my total despair.
On the way home with the car, the cell phone rang.
Sue had some words from Laura from cardiology. Laura
said to fill the gas in the car to full and force all
the air out of the tank. She had heard on "Click and
Clack" that the sensors were so sensitive that this
could set them off. I filled it up. The blinking
lights on the airbag disppeared.
Does God live? Well.... I do know when we get
our best car care from cardiology, something is up.
On Halloween: I believe in things Seen and Unseen: Why Kids Get Halloween
One of the amazing things is how all kids really get Halloween. There is no long textbook required. Kids all around the world have some sort of celebration like this.
As a youngster, in church, reciting the Creed....maybe there were some boring parts about the liturgy, but certanly not the words, "I believe in things Seen and Unseen." Yes, that was something that I could really believe in. Something I could understand at a young age.
Some think that Halloween is just about candy, just about sugar. I don't think so. Although I will grant sugar is pretty big these days.
How come when we get older it gets so difficult? So difficult to get from the Seen to the Unseen. We think of Flip Wilson. "What you see is what you get." Was Flip Wilson right?
It seems to the Observer that there is a whole lot more we get besides the obvious. Stuff we were not counting on. For better. For worse. In fact, in the holiday season, when I go back to visit with the old chums from high school and college, it used to be so easy to separate out the beauty queens and cheerleaders from the rest; So easy to know the jocks from the nerds. Not today. Seems they all look alike. It is pretty shocking.
Seems like Flip Wilson was wrong. The kids are right. You get a lot more than meets the eye. There really is Seen and Unseen.
As a youngster, in church, reciting the Creed....maybe there were some boring parts about the liturgy, but certanly not the words, "I believe in things Seen and Unseen." Yes, that was something that I could really believe in. Something I could understand at a young age.
Some think that Halloween is just about candy, just about sugar. I don't think so. Although I will grant sugar is pretty big these days.
How come when we get older it gets so difficult? So difficult to get from the Seen to the Unseen. We think of Flip Wilson. "What you see is what you get." Was Flip Wilson right?
It seems to the Observer that there is a whole lot more we get besides the obvious. Stuff we were not counting on. For better. For worse. In fact, in the holiday season, when I go back to visit with the old chums from high school and college, it used to be so easy to separate out the beauty queens and cheerleaders from the rest; So easy to know the jocks from the nerds. Not today. Seems they all look alike. It is pretty shocking.
Seems like Flip Wilson was wrong. The kids are right. You get a lot more than meets the eye. There really is Seen and Unseen.
2005: "The Tipping Point" or Where is Harry Truman when we need him?
Recently there has been a lot of talk about the "Tipping Point" or the moment or event, whether large or small, that things change. On PBS News Hour on Friday last, David Brooks went into a long and interesting presentation on why Katrina was a tipping point, and not only that, but listed a long series of natural events that have as a result created a political earthquake. Click on the post to get the story as well as the real audio.
Specifically, he mentioned the occasion in Louisiana of a very big storm when the governer had to decide to flood some homes to save the capital. He pledged to pay for the homes and rebuild. He lied. Out of the outrage of that incident came the rise of Huey Long. The Kingfish. The fictional rendition of Huey Long is dramatized in the novel "All the King's Men," by Robert Penn Warren. One of my favorites.
If you can dust off your old copy of "All the King's Men," the opening two pages are pretty dramatic. It begins with the view from inside a limo driving in the night in Louisiana, with the headlights peering out, rolling through the night, with the powerful limo squashing all the critters that venture out on the roadway, rolling along cushioned from the reality of the ebb and flow of the real world below. It's been thirty years, and the picture is still vivid in my memory.
It is kind of sad and ironic that leaders like the Kingfish rise to power by working on the alienation of the people from their leaders and in the end, fall as a result of that same alienation.
The image of President Bush at 50,000 ft. reviewing the destruction of Katrina may also be a powerful image that may provoke a powerful political change. We shall see. Political patronage or Pork, may be a condemned routinely, in highway projects and in many areas of life, but when it permeates the survival of the country, or Homeland Security, we are in deep trouble. Thus, when asked recently whether the US can withstand another disaster or attack at this time, even President Bush hesitated and said "That's a good question."
President Harry Truman rose to fame at the end of WWII investigating the corruption of war profiteers. It would be nice if we a had him now. He could come by on one of his train trips, come through Evansville, cause I would be the first to yell, "Give em hell, Harry."
"The Tipping Point" or "How LIttle Things Can Make a Big Difference" is written by Malcolm Gladwell and is available at the Eager Free Public Library.
Specifically, he mentioned the occasion in Louisiana of a very big storm when the governer had to decide to flood some homes to save the capital. He pledged to pay for the homes and rebuild. He lied. Out of the outrage of that incident came the rise of Huey Long. The Kingfish. The fictional rendition of Huey Long is dramatized in the novel "All the King's Men," by Robert Penn Warren. One of my favorites.
If you can dust off your old copy of "All the King's Men," the opening two pages are pretty dramatic. It begins with the view from inside a limo driving in the night in Louisiana, with the headlights peering out, rolling through the night, with the powerful limo squashing all the critters that venture out on the roadway, rolling along cushioned from the reality of the ebb and flow of the real world below. It's been thirty years, and the picture is still vivid in my memory.
It is kind of sad and ironic that leaders like the Kingfish rise to power by working on the alienation of the people from their leaders and in the end, fall as a result of that same alienation.
The image of President Bush at 50,000 ft. reviewing the destruction of Katrina may also be a powerful image that may provoke a powerful political change. We shall see. Political patronage or Pork, may be a condemned routinely, in highway projects and in many areas of life, but when it permeates the survival of the country, or Homeland Security, we are in deep trouble. Thus, when asked recently whether the US can withstand another disaster or attack at this time, even President Bush hesitated and said "That's a good question."
President Harry Truman rose to fame at the end of WWII investigating the corruption of war profiteers. It would be nice if we a had him now. He could come by on one of his train trips, come through Evansville, cause I would be the first to yell, "Give em hell, Harry."
"The Tipping Point" or "How LIttle Things Can Make a Big Difference" is written by Malcolm Gladwell and is available at the Eager Free Public Library.
Just an Average Day
All the regular workers see the benefit of higher wages to themselves,
All the teachers see the benefits of more education,
All the sellers of widgets see the benefits of more widgets to save the world,
All the government workers see the benefit of higher benefits for themselves to serve others,
All the doctors see the urgency of raising reimbursement to better serve others,
All the oil executives see the glory in rising oil prices to better serve the energy needs of a growing economy,
All the stockbrokers see the wonder of serving more clients who own more and more stocks to turn over faster and faster as things go up and down,
And then all the other little people who are hoping that after all the above get what they need and deserve--- that...maybe..they will get some crumbs off the table,
It's just an average day....
All the teachers see the benefits of more education,
All the sellers of widgets see the benefits of more widgets to save the world,
All the government workers see the benefit of higher benefits for themselves to serve others,
All the doctors see the urgency of raising reimbursement to better serve others,
All the oil executives see the glory in rising oil prices to better serve the energy needs of a growing economy,
All the stockbrokers see the wonder of serving more clients who own more and more stocks to turn over faster and faster as things go up and down,
And then all the other little people who are hoping that after all the above get what they need and deserve--- that...maybe..they will get some crumbs off the table,
It's just an average day....
2005: How Stories are Written; The Rest of the Story
One famous radio commentator, I think it was Paul Harvey, used to tell his news but leave out the key part till the very end, and reveal it as the "rest of the story." I was reflecting recently on how we get used to the stories being written. I remember in college, the 8am Sociology class in the Winter term. The large Johnson Hall lecture hall was warm. The prof would begin the lecture by announcing the topic and note that at the end of the lecture there would be plenty of time for questions. After 50 minutes, the bell would ring and he would say, " Well, I guess there is no time for questions." There never was.
After a while, we kind of got used to it. It was warm and cosy. He seemed to revel in pontificating. He seemed so sure of himself listening to himself talk. Why wreck a wonderful start to the day with a question?
Then I was assigned to David W. Noble for History for a course in my senior year. In addition to the lecture, there was a study group of 7 students that met at his home on Tuesday nights. David was a veteran who had suffered a back injury in the war, and he was able to stand for one hour max. So, when he was at home, he had to lay on his back most of the time. And for the class, he lay on his back on the floor with the students on chairs around the room, and he went from one to the next and asked what they thought about various aspects of the books assigned.
Prof Noble would start with an idea, and the students would go around the room and elaborate on it or debate about it among themselves. After just a few classes at his home, it was real hard to go back to sleeping in the lecture hall. The debates that we had, I still remember. The clash of ideas became a very real and exciting thing. My attitude about what teaching could be changed big time.
In a traditional newspaper, the reporter writes and you read. In the blog, I begin the thought and you the reader shape it and complete it. Big difference. Some government types have labeled questions from the public "misinformation." Excuse me. We are all writing the story. The whole community. Not just one. Not just me. Not just you.
Writing together the stories of our community requires something more than merely turning pages. It requires involvement, thoughtfullness and a willingness to be responsible for our thoughts. Willingness to speak and ....listen. So...
I have eliminated the anonymous comment feature and all comments on the blog will require you to register with a name or "Handle" and a password. You will be tracked by your ISP identification and will be responsible and accountable for your views. I will block any user that indulges in slander. We will stick to the issues and have fun on the blog as well.
It is too late to go back to the lecture hall. There are plenty of papers to read in this world that require nothing of YOU for participation. Buy one at your leisure. I only start the story. You all finish it. Different deal.
Posted by Evansville Observer at 7:09 AM
After a while, we kind of got used to it. It was warm and cosy. He seemed to revel in pontificating. He seemed so sure of himself listening to himself talk. Why wreck a wonderful start to the day with a question?
Then I was assigned to David W. Noble for History for a course in my senior year. In addition to the lecture, there was a study group of 7 students that met at his home on Tuesday nights. David was a veteran who had suffered a back injury in the war, and he was able to stand for one hour max. So, when he was at home, he had to lay on his back most of the time. And for the class, he lay on his back on the floor with the students on chairs around the room, and he went from one to the next and asked what they thought about various aspects of the books assigned.
Prof Noble would start with an idea, and the students would go around the room and elaborate on it or debate about it among themselves. After just a few classes at his home, it was real hard to go back to sleeping in the lecture hall. The debates that we had, I still remember. The clash of ideas became a very real and exciting thing. My attitude about what teaching could be changed big time.
In a traditional newspaper, the reporter writes and you read. In the blog, I begin the thought and you the reader shape it and complete it. Big difference. Some government types have labeled questions from the public "misinformation." Excuse me. We are all writing the story. The whole community. Not just one. Not just me. Not just you.
Writing together the stories of our community requires something more than merely turning pages. It requires involvement, thoughtfullness and a willingness to be responsible for our thoughts. Willingness to speak and ....listen. So...
I have eliminated the anonymous comment feature and all comments on the blog will require you to register with a name or "Handle" and a password. You will be tracked by your ISP identification and will be responsible and accountable for your views. I will block any user that indulges in slander. We will stick to the issues and have fun on the blog as well.
It is too late to go back to the lecture hall. There are plenty of papers to read in this world that require nothing of YOU for participation. Buy one at your leisure. I only start the story. You all finish it. Different deal.
Posted by Evansville Observer at 7:09 AM
The Odds of Being "Right" and Other mysteries (2005) Nostalgia
Some years ago, I worked as a registered representative for E.F. Hutton, in the Madison office. Yes, it was always reassuring to work for a company that had as its slogan, " When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen."
In this office were competitive and hard working brokers. In fact, overworking brokers. It was hard not thinking of the business 24 hours a day. Mornings began about 7:30am with the telephone report from New York and ended after dinners of pizza, pizza and pizza, and cold calling new prospective clients about investment ideas.
There was one exception to all the brokers. His name was Bruce. Bruce came in when he pleased. He drove a BMW. He had a beautiful wife. He met his clients like a physician would a patient. Sometimes he would not come in to work at all! And when he did come back he would be all tan and tell us of a wonderful trip. He seemed very relaxed all the time. He seemed able to laugh at things that all of us did not think were too funny. All of the other brokers were not pleased with Bruce. It seemed totally unfair.
At this time, I had two young daughters, 5yr. and 3yr, and was working about 60 hrs a week and it occurred to me that Bruce knew something that I did not. So, one day I went in and simply asked him, " Bruce, how do you do it. I just don't understand?"
He smiled and said, " Well, you must understand that everyone here is very bright and has good ideas. But even so, if you honestly plot your ideas and hold the record for a month, you will discover that you will be right only 50% of the time. Try it and you will see. Being bright is not enough. My secret is that I plan on being wrong and use options to prepare for it. He then proceeded to show me on a $1,000,000 investment for his clients how he had protected the investment from the possiblity that he could be wrong. Then he smiled and laughed.
I have never forgot the lesson that Bruce taught me, nor the BMW, the model wife and the style of work that Bruce enjoyed. The crash of 1987 came. Bruce did just fine. His clients were protected. He went on to be a very successful mutual fund manager.
I tell this story for those on the comment line. The good news is that we keep the comments online for review for a year. The bad news is that we keep the comments online for a year.
E.F. Hutton thought it knew so much. In a heartbeat when the market plunged 500 points it was over. Instantly. On the phone from New York, senior staff were urging brokers not to jump from windows, but to get some perspective on what they valued in life. I was in Madison. On the first floor. No place to jump.
As you comment on the blog calculate the possiblity that you might be right? Might be wrong? What are the odds? Is it better than Babe Ruth? Is it better than 50%. Plan accordingly.
In this office were competitive and hard working brokers. In fact, overworking brokers. It was hard not thinking of the business 24 hours a day. Mornings began about 7:30am with the telephone report from New York and ended after dinners of pizza, pizza and pizza, and cold calling new prospective clients about investment ideas.
There was one exception to all the brokers. His name was Bruce. Bruce came in when he pleased. He drove a BMW. He had a beautiful wife. He met his clients like a physician would a patient. Sometimes he would not come in to work at all! And when he did come back he would be all tan and tell us of a wonderful trip. He seemed very relaxed all the time. He seemed able to laugh at things that all of us did not think were too funny. All of the other brokers were not pleased with Bruce. It seemed totally unfair.
At this time, I had two young daughters, 5yr. and 3yr, and was working about 60 hrs a week and it occurred to me that Bruce knew something that I did not. So, one day I went in and simply asked him, " Bruce, how do you do it. I just don't understand?"
He smiled and said, " Well, you must understand that everyone here is very bright and has good ideas. But even so, if you honestly plot your ideas and hold the record for a month, you will discover that you will be right only 50% of the time. Try it and you will see. Being bright is not enough. My secret is that I plan on being wrong and use options to prepare for it. He then proceeded to show me on a $1,000,000 investment for his clients how he had protected the investment from the possiblity that he could be wrong. Then he smiled and laughed.
I have never forgot the lesson that Bruce taught me, nor the BMW, the model wife and the style of work that Bruce enjoyed. The crash of 1987 came. Bruce did just fine. His clients were protected. He went on to be a very successful mutual fund manager.
I tell this story for those on the comment line. The good news is that we keep the comments online for review for a year. The bad news is that we keep the comments online for a year.
E.F. Hutton thought it knew so much. In a heartbeat when the market plunged 500 points it was over. Instantly. On the phone from New York, senior staff were urging brokers not to jump from windows, but to get some perspective on what they valued in life. I was in Madison. On the first floor. No place to jump.
As you comment on the blog calculate the possiblity that you might be right? Might be wrong? What are the odds? Is it better than Babe Ruth? Is it better than 50%. Plan accordingly.
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