WHEREFORE ART THOU?
Some consider artistic endeavors a waste of time.
Others see creativity as the greatest of treasures.
In truth there is beauty in everything.
It's all in the eye of the beholder...
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Saturday, March 3, 2018
SELF DEPLOYMENT
Over the years I've enjoyed my share of work
"hiatus." In the midst of each and every one I
had to change my ways. Or as Frank frequently
reinforced - "You're no longer the boss." While
it usually took several months of adjustment,
I finally got used to the idea that no one except
myself was at my beck and call. Honestly, I'll
admit said awakening wasn't always pleasant.
Especially when I had to assume responsibility
for tasks others were much better at doing than
I. Nobody likes to do their dirty work. Hence
three years later, our mega fridge ice maker is
still not working. I simply can't deal with it.
All of us excel at certain things while we fail
at others. Now that I've once again exited the
corporate arena, I'm slowly embracing my new
reality. Which is that if I don't do it myself -
chances are it won't happen. Don't get me
wrong - Frank and I enjoy what is an equal
partnership. Over the years we've divided up
all tasks into his and his. Each of us assuming
responsibility for half. However there still are
bits and pieces unassigned that hitherto were
done by others much more capable. Meaning
that now I required to be a jack of all trades.
An active participant in things I'd rather not be.
When it comes to around the house work I'm
fairly comfortable with my limited abilities.
Hence I can easily handle minimal painting,
patching, and touchups. When it comes to the
yard, Frank maintains full control. However
I'm willing and able to pitch in as directed.
Given my professional background, I still can
shovel anything with gusto - including snow.
As my Dad was a trained electrician he taught
me how to avoid going haywire and burning
down the house. Related to the plumbing, I'm
smart enough to stay out of hot water. And so
I know who to call in case of emergency.
All of the above indicates my willingness to
sweat the small stuff. However as we establish
our new shop - my resolve has been put to the
test. In the old days all the details, logistics,
and project management were handled by an
extremely talented team down the ladder. Thus
my primary job was strategy, planning, plus a
lot of political maneuvering. Now I find myself
bearing the responsibility of making it happen.
By myself... on my own... and sans the savvy
that other's readily offered prior. And let me
assure you that it's a beyond humbling dive
into what can only be deemed adult education.
Fortunately there are many resources readily
available both locally and via the internet.
When it came to forming our corporation -
a friend helped us do it sans pricey lawyers.
A feat that was much easier than expected.
Given both of our backgrounds in creativity,
Frank and I worked together on our new logo.
A process in which ultimately the best man
won. Together we've share many of the other
responsibilities. The most exciting of which
is procuring antiques, vintage, and new items
from a variety of resources. A task of which
we find both thrilling and slightly terrifying!
This week I built our website. A process for
which I used to pay big time players mega
bucks to make it happen. Or in my agency
days, kept the secrets of e-commerce hidden
in order to over charge accordingly. Suddenly
I need everything for nothing. And fortunately
there are websites and services willing to help
me for just that. Shortly after I logged onto
www.wix.com I was soon building my own
website. Post purchasing a web address (URL)
I was able to create an e-commerce site that
not only looks great... it actually works. So
maybe I'm not as stupid as I thought I was?!
If nothing else my foray into the intricacies
of website construction and design has been
easier than expected. I simply followed their
direction (a task not easy for any man) and
slowly put the pieces together. While it's if
nothing else cookie cutter, our site is more
than adequate for this phase of development.
Throughout this process I've learned that one
can do almost anything when forced to. Plus
learn something new along the way. Proving
that even an old dog can be taught a new trick
or two. Next I must venture into the world of
public relations. Wish me luck...
Click here to visit our new website at www.cvhomemt.com
Friday, March 2, 2018
THE NEW NORMAL?
There are times when one wishes that life
could be "normal." A desire that's rather
odd at best. After all what's ordinary for
you may differ from my status quo. Thus
in truth we all dance to the beat of diverse
ethos. The dichotomy of which makes it
virtually impossible to maintain any sort
of common comfort level. Think about it.
Some of us are drama queens. Hence one
of said ilk lives and loves in daily turmoil.
Others are hermits. Meaning their life is
isolated at best. While those who fall in
the midst struggle to find common sense.
Like it or not we are a nation of diversity. And
yet some still attempt to force the rest of us to
adhere to their "norms." Obviously the purpose
of overarching rules and regulations are to keep
us in line. However that only works on the most
broadest of issues. Thou shalt not kill is a perfect
example. One can't easily argue such a definitive
statement. However over the years folks like you
and me have developed laws that further draw a
line in the sand. All to insure that together we do
the right thing. The same applies to many things
related to deceit. Thus as far as we still know it,
stealing is still considered a crime. Well, sort of.
Where many of us get in trouble is when we
try to bend said rules in our favor. Or justify
an error of one's ways through questioning
the validity of a rule itself. In theory the law
is the law. And yet how many Americans try
to figure out some way to circumvent such
strictures? Who isn't guilty of such things
even if we don't care to admit it? Each and
every one of us usually has a valid reason for
doing the wrong thing. The problem is when
somebody within our government defends
telling a "white lie" as perfectly acceptable.
Even if it violates the most sacred of vows.
Every individual appointed or elected to a job
within our government takes the following oath:
***************************************
"I solemnly swear that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States against all
enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear
true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take
this obligation freely, without mental reservation
or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and
faithfully discharge the duties of the office on
which I am about to enter. So help me God."
**************************************
At face value such an oath seems perfectly clear.
Beyond the above, every member of our
government signs a broad range of policy
documents. Each designed to insure no
conflicts of interest. While I won't bother
you with the details, such strictures are
more than specific about the "do's and
don'ts." So... why do some of our current
governmental leaders seem to be confused
over what their responsibility is? The only
irrational explanation for their failure to do
the right thing is that sadly, they are all too
human. And hence unable to adhere to the
rules they argue do NOT apply to them.
I'm not going to argue that traveling First Class
is not far superior to being shoved in a middle
seat in the back of an airbus. Nor do I disagree
that one's environment in the office should be
well maintained and properly reflect one's role
in the bigger picture. And given that I've been
known to carry a Birkin the size of Wichita -
I acknowledge that we all come with baggage.
However the difference between us and them
is that we've never raised our hand and vowed
to defend the Constitution. Nor have we signed
documents promising to avoid any conflict of
interest at all costs. So why are some confused?
Whether rich or poor, most of us know right
from wrong. And while many try to stretch
the boundaries of said context - we 're all
judged by the laws of this land. And so if
you stringently enforce laws on the innocent
children of illegal immigrants - why not hold
yourself equally responsible to legal standards
that apply to you? To be clear, the law states
that once you are a government official, even
the appearance of a conflict of interest is more
than justification for dismissal. Meaning that
Jared Kushner should exit the White House
tomorrow. But will his father-in-law allow it?
If that seems harsh so be it. I didn't make the
rules. Nor have I ever signed paperwork or
raised my hand in a commitment to uphold
and adhere to specific strictures. Within the
context of my "normal" existence all that I
do know is that if I speed... I get a ticket. If
I don't pay my taxes, I still owe the IRS for
their just due. And if I steal your car, I will
go to jail. Even worse, if I kill somebody I'll
probably end up on death row. All of which
means that for an average American citizen
like me, the only thing certain is that in my
case justice will be served. Why not them?
Thursday, March 1, 2018
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Clearly special...
There's always something new to discover at C+V HOME.
Click on the link below to read this week's blog entry...
READ THIS WEEK'S C+V BLOG
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