Fine dining in London and Brazil

Here are a few restaurants that I had the chance to visit while in London and Brazil in 2007.

LONDON

Souk Restaurant

Rasa Samudra

The Red Fort

BRAZIL

Marius Degustare

Fogo De Chão

Color your world

During the CONES event of 2009 I stumbled upon the International Bootstrapping Association's (IBA) table. It was a nice surprise. Kevin Gadd shared the concept with me and how the meetings work. Essentially small business owners and entrepreneurs get together and share best practices on a given topic. I was hooked.

As I was weighing through all the goodies and business cards the following day I decided to dig deeper on the IBA. Come to find out the meeting would be held at The DEC (The Dublin Entrepreneurial Center) and I was just waiting for an excuse to make my way over there. The given topic for our meeting was customer service.

The ground rules that they set up were quite helpful. You can just imagine, a colleague shares a problem and then one by one each business owner ripe with knowledge and wisdom shoots out of the gate with, "Well you should do this, and you should try that." That didn't happen. One of the guidelines included that your contributions of wisdom are best told in story form and that they be told in first person.

I was shocked how much more thought had to go into my responses.

One thing in particular that I wanted to share was the concern that led to branding, more specifically personal branding. One of the members shared how he has decide to take on a color as part of his business brand as well as his personal brand. This way anytime someone saw that color orange they would think of him, and his business. Does this make sense, and most of all, does it work? Well, large companies do this, why shouldn't small business owners do the same?

While growing up my family used to joke that I whenever you accidentally wore all the same color that you were like one of the Power Rangers. You remember them right? The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers would strut around in their street clothes which just so happen to be their signature color until it was time to fight crime, then they break out the Ranger Suits.

Can we 'claim' colors as businesses? What about as a business person? And if so, do I need to declare it, or would it be something that people eventually detect after several meetings?

It has been often said, "We don't buy from a company, we buy from people." So then should the 'people' be branded too?

Gee, Rob sure does where a lot of blue

Foresight is 2010

Once a mistake has been made, or a experience has been fully realized someone often sighs, "Hindsight is 20/20."

20/20 refers to visual acuity, and is considered to be the normal ability. Often when a bad experience is over and done, you have the clarity to look back and decide what would have been better. If hindsight is 20/20, does that mean foresight is 20/10?

I contend that it is.

Over the last year I have become quite engaged in social media and in particular the option to keep a web log. When considering my goals for 2010 I couldn't help but think about the benefits of taking time to think, write, and reflect. My goal for 2010 is actually a long-range which simply starts today, 01.01.10.

I will write [at least] one blog on robdavlin.com each week until 2020.

What do I expect to gain from such a simple goal?

• Clarity: just as I mentioned earlier in the cliche, "Hindsight is 20/20," I am hoping that my weekly reflections provide insight, and eventually foresight.
• Documentation: when I shared my new goal with my wife, she responded with the wonder of how much our lives will change over the next ten years, let alone the changes in society, technology, and economy.
• Increase personal brand equity: my latest professional success was the result of a combination of my personality, networking skills, and social media presence. My hope is that consistent blogging will yield continued to success.

What is your Foresight for 2010?

Going the distance

The first Tuesday of each month the CYP CLUB hosts a Speaker Networking Breakfast at the Champps Restaurant in the Lennox Town Center, if you are interested in joining email me.

On December 1st we were honored to welcome Debra Penzone, President of The Charles Penzone, Family of Salons. Debra addressed the issue of customer service and how to go the distance and she gave one of the most dynamic and well-planned presentations I have seen in a while.

The key takeaway for me was the statistics on first impressions. Penzone highlighted that when you meet someone for the first time they are “documenting” who you are and therefore are making assumptions based on what is before them that you are always “that way.”

For example when you meet someone if you are mumbley and grumbley they infer that is how you regularly act. On the converse if you present a pleasant posture they will believe you to be positive.

The cliché of “You can never make a second impression” heavily leans on this notion. When making new acquaintances, be sure to make the extra effort to be yourself, if only for the first time.

My second takeaway was how important what you aren’t saying. As it turns out only 7% of dialogue communication is based on the content. The rest is a mix of vocal tone, and body language. Even body language is comprised of many subsets such as, hand gestures, stance and posture, eyebrows and facial expressions. Debra incorporated the whole mixture very well as she paced the floor, emphasized expressions with her hands, and included the all important pause.

Many thanks to Debra Penzone for spending her morning with the Columbus Young Professionals and sharing her insights and wisdom on customer services.

The pebble in my boot...

The pebble in my boot is a greater obstacle than the boulder in my path.

Last Tuesday I rummaged to the back of the closet to locate my snow boots. I hadn't seen them since the beginning of 2009. As I get more prepared to start the walk to the park my dog, Lionel, becomes increasingly excited; and more difficult to manage. Due to this overwhelming zeal for exercise I failed to notice a pebble in my left boot.

As I began to pace my way toward the park I simply yielded to the annoyance in my boot and occasionally waggled my toes to shift the stone to irritate a different spot on my foot.

This was not the first time I experienced a rock in my shoe, but it was then that I was able to finalize the proverb that was waiting to be discovered. You see in life everyday we encounter all sorts of difficulties and challenges. Unexpected tasks, and projects that raise their head only to reroute the day's plan.

However I believe that those tasks and ventures although seemingly large and merit sheer mastery to overcome are still external. They will always be something outside of us that if we so choose we could choose to not do them. Or to put it another way, choose to do them differently than initially we observe them to be done.

Furthermore, "the pebble in my boot" is alluding to the great obstacle within us. That is something that we must battle and triumph. Keep in mind that it is small in size, and weak in mass, yet it is large in our own life.

Can you relate? What is the pebble in your boot?

Out of the mouth, the heart speaks.

On December 2, 2009 I had the privilege of hearing Artie Isaac speak on The demise of polite conversation. The above link will take you to the video, check out 44:00 for my cameo.

My notes:

Etiqutte evolves over time. What was once accepted and expected has changed.

The overarching question: What is polite conversatiion?
Simply put, offense lies in the ear of the behearer.

Where do YOU draw the line, and who gets to draw it?

An adated quote from Gandhi, Be the polite conversation we want to see in the world.

In time the way we talk will be how we will be described.

We are whatever we eat
We are what we know
We are who we know
We are where we go

Furthermore:

Our thoughts become our words.

Our words become our actions.

Our actions become our habits.

Our habits become our values.

Our values become our destiny.

Psalm34:13-14 you want a good life don't talk trash

Bad tounge:
1 false and derogatory - not much description needed here, we all know this
2 true, but derogatory - Have you ever heard honesty used as a weapon
3 second-hand - "I thought you should know, Louie has done..."
4 compliments - The difficulty here is that once someone is complimented, the air is poised for one of two things. The likely is that it is, "Yeah, but they [insert insult here]

The Shot Apple

Three are injured

1. The person who it is about - That is the apple

2. The hearer - The left side of the apple, ouch
3. The speaker - The right side of the apple, eventually it will come back to that speaker in one form or another.

Quick test to check if you conversation is on the brink.

• Are my words true?
• Must I speak them? What if we only speak only when needed.

Two times I am obliged to speak:
1. To prevent domestic violence
2. To prevent you hiring a thief

A couple of basic beliefs, if you can't go a day without a ______ you are addicted

• Cigarette
• Alcohol
• Gossip

Arite was then nice enought to include the top questions most people ask.

Cant I just apologize?

Yes. Apologies include three parts,

1. Saying/verbalizing/writing I'm sorry: The basic apology.

2. Admitting your mistake, taking responsibility for your part in the problem.

3. Asking "How can we make this right", then doing whatever is within your power to make that right.

Isn't talking how we transfer our values?
Remain silent, thinking is a good thing. Also you can transfer values by actions.

What do you talk about (if you aren't talking about people)?

Something will eventually come up. If not, enjoy the company.

Can't I say anything to my _______ ( insert close friend or relative)?

-and put them at risk of being engaged in gossip? Not everything needs to be discussed.

What about advice?

People never want advice, even when they ask for it.

What if my intentions are good?

That hogwash. The result was that you hurt someone, no explaining it away but intent will mend their reputation or feelings.

How can we avoid interrupting?

Pay attention, really pay attention to what the other person is saying. By the time they are done you might want to say something different than you originally wanted to say.

Have you lost all of your friends by polite conversation?
"Friends" on occasion will use code to let you know that they do not want to be your friend anymore, be aware of this code and move on to friends that will edify.

And with that Artie closes:
We are speaking our lives into existence.

His favorite word is:

Abracadabra- out of nothing I create something

Audience questions:
Why is it hard to correct someone?
Because no one likes to be told they are wrong. The best way to correct is...

1. Do it in private - don't display their ignorance for all to see. Let them experience it behind closed doors.
2. Do it in a polite generous way. - as best you can share with the person how it is out of care and compassion for them. If you are not doing it from that point, let someone that does proceed.
3. Allow for growth or latitude- Don't corner them and make them fight you, grant them liberty to develop and move into a right way and pattern.

What is your attitude of politeness within type and digital communication?
When letter writing was common practice, the angered person would write a scathing note and let it rest on the corner of their desk. Once the next day comes, they would deliver the letter to the trash promptly. With today's instant letter delivery via email this option is no more, write your digital letters in word, and save it to the corner of your "desktop", then delete it.

Be a manager

Growing up in a family owned business carried with it many lessons that otherwise I don’t think I would have learned.

When I on Christmas break and sleeping in my Dad would stop into my ask, "Want to do firewood, Robert?"

The first thoughts that would go through my head were, "No, I don't want to wake up on my day off from school, and go out into the cold. "In an effort to procrastinate I'd ask when he planned to leave to which he would answer, "Right now."

Now this lesson I am about to share may seem trivial to anyone over 10 years old. However I still encounter adults that lack this simple skill - I really can't even call it a skill.

At the end of the loading and delivery of firewood my dear sweet Dad looks over at me as we park in the driveway at home and asks, "How many hours did you work today?"

Dumbfounded I respond with a penny-unwise shrug.

Then my gracious and providing Dad tells me the start and stop time of the day. Then he adds the sentiment. "If you want to be a manager you've got to wear a watch, and carry a wallet."

With that he hands me the hard earned wages, and closes with, "Put this in your wallet."

Ricart, we're motivating

On Tuesday October 6 Rhett Ricart joined the Columbus Young Professionals at our monthly networking breakfast to speak about life and business. He shared a laundry list of things.

Top 11 biggest mistakes

1. Don’t short yourself – get a good bank relationship
2. Get an estate plan
3. Use consultants pay your vendors first
4. Get a good HR director
5. Don’t let your sales outrun your service
6. Don’t teach your people to steal
7. If you cant come to work positive – stay home! Always keep a positive mental attitude
8. Phone etiquette – first and last name and answer with a smile
9. Pay your secretary/assistant the most you can afford
10. Hire by emotional intelligence – they know ho to deal with tragedy and problems
11. Have to spend time with your family – have dinner together.

15 C's of success

1. Charismatic - know how to work with people
2. Communication - you have to be able to talk. Readers are leaders.
3. Consistent - people should know what to expect
4. Compassionate - make notes and care about what is going on
5. Confident - "A vision is nothing more than a dream that comes true." -Les Wexner
6. Computerize - you have to be computer savvy
7. Cooperate - work with each other to build each other up
8. Credible - others have to be able to believe you
9. Courteous - treat each person you meet with the dignity and respect they deserve
10. Concise - Don't waffle or waiver and make the decision
11. Clever - you have to figure out how to get out of sticky situations
12. Charity - not just $$, but time and talents
13. Candid - if you are wrong, step up and say so. It's easier to eat crow when it's warm.
14. Capitalistic - know how to turn a profit on things you are good at doing.
15. Competent - be the expert and the master of something.

Satisfy your customers in this order

1. Customers
2. Employees
3. Vendors

Take care of your customers or your competition will be glad to do so, just ask them.

Imagine the best thing you could do everyday and figure out how to do it.

Herd Mentality - If you want to get to where everone else is, then follow the herd.

Tell the truth - Save your memory and creativity for things that are important. If you tell the truth you won't need to remember your lies.

Business - brand your business so when people think of your industry, they think of YOU!

If you ever have a doubt of doing something, think of your family. "Will my family be proud of this?"

Take care of disagreements with your partner behind closed doors, and say everything that is on your mind.

Thank you Rhett, I look forward to crossing paths again soon.

The message below is intended for recipient only...

Are you still reading?

How many of you have a disclaimer at the footer of your emails?

Does it actually mean anything? Would that actually protect you if you sent an email intended for the client and it went to their competitor?!

How about all those social media websites? Do my tweets really bind me to anything? Or does their have to be something more?

Find out the answer to these questions and a few of your own at an upcoming CYP CLUB event click here for more details http://tinyurl.com/cypnov4

If life had a soundtrack

Well you see often times you have a tune going through your head anyway.

Turns out when you are in the most mundane situations you wish you really

could have music playing around you. Well the other day I was a the airport

security checkpoint and the mood hit me just right.

What do you think, does it look like me?

Elephant in the room

In order to get an elephant to become tame they will use very, very heavy chains and then cuff one of its legs to a post.

Once the elephant awakens from the tranquilizer (you didn't think he would just come willingly, did you?) He is so angry that he fights with the strength of 100 pissed pachyderms. He rumbles and trumpets in anger until it has no more energy, no more effort, no more eagerness to escape.

Later the bold trainer removes the impossible-to-break chain and in its place ties a rope from the elephant's cuff to a mere stake in the ground. Now if you were tied down with rope you would likely be stuck just the same as the elephant's prior situation; however, with the strength of muscle on muscle a rope would be nothing more than a string to you and I.

On with the show. The depressed elephant which at one point was a titan has now succumbed to the simple bond of a rope. The elephant has been defeated physically but the real trick is that the pachyderm has been defeated mentally. You would be hard pressed to find an elephant that will break away simply because they don't think they can.

What dire life event did you go through that whipped you to the point that your spirit was deterred for good. Occasionally we experience something in life that so changes our way of thinking that it never crosses our mind that we can try again and that we might succeed.

Try again.

Junto Meeting

Ben Franklin had a group that would meet and these are the following questions they would use to spur conversation...

This is the list of questions Franklin devised to guide the discussions at Junto meetings.

1. Have you met with any thing in the author you last read, remarkable, or suitable to be communicated to the Junto? particularly in history, morality, poetry, physics, travels, mechanic arts, or other parts of knowledge?

2. What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling in conversation?

3. Hath any citizen in your knowledge failed in his business lately, and what have you heard of the cause?

4. Have you lately heard of any citizenís thriving well, and by what means?

5. Have you lately heard how any present rich man, here or elsewhere, got his estate?

6. Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise and imitation? or who has committed an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?

7. What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? of imprudence? of passion? or of any other vice or folly?

8. What happy effects of temperance? of prudence? of moderation? or of any other virtue?

9. Have you or any of your acquaintance been lately sick or wounded? If so, what remedies were used, and what were their effects?

10. Who do you know that are shortly going [on] voyages or journies, if one should have occasion to send by them?

11. Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind? to their country, to their friends, or to themselves?

12. Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town since last meeting, that you heard of? and what have you heard or observed of his character or merits? and whether think you, it lies in the power of the Junto to oblige him, or encourage him as he deserves?

13. Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?

14. Have you lately observed any defect in the laws of your country, of which it would be proper to move the legislature an amendment? Or do you know of any beneficial law that is wanting?

15. Have you lately observed any encroachment on the just liberties of the people?

16. Hath any body attacked your reputation lately? and what can the Junto do towards securing it?

17. Is there any man whose friendship you want, and which the Junto, or any of them, can procure for you?

18. Have you lately heard any memberís character attacked, and how have you defended it?

19. Hath any man injured you, from whom it is in the power of the Junto to procure redress?

20. In what manner can the Junto, or any of them, assist you in any of your honourable designs?

21. Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think the advice of the Junto may be of service?

22. What benefits have you lately received from any man not present?

23. Is there any difficulty in matters of opinion, of justice, and injustice, which you would gladly have discussed at this time?

24. Do you see any thing amiss in the present customs or proceedings of the Junto, which might be amended?

O-H-I-O

Governor Ted Strickland demonstrates some state spirit at the 2009 Ohio Young Professionals Weekend.

It's All About Character

During a lunch and learn hosted by Columbus Young Professionals Dr. Mike Thomson shared ways to save your sanity. These are my notes.

Dr. Mike starts out by pointing out that everyone needs to operate just like they are self-employed. You should have a sales department, a Marketing group, a Research and Development division, a production center, and most of all a quality control unit. Once you recognize the need for each of these areas then you can start to live.

Ways to Save your Sanity:

1. The only people without problems are dead.

Keep in mind that 80% of people have a JOB (just over broke) and then the remaining 20% are thinking differently.

Also you should notice that the Hearse never has a U-Haul following behind it.

2. The world is filled with a boatload of jerks

Dr. Mike shares how happy he is that these jerks are around. You see this gives you and I some advantages. The jerks are a great example. Yeah, and example of what not to be. Just watch them and then do the opposite.

3. In a tornado, even a turkey can fly.

You are never stuck unless you decide that there is no way out.

Beware the "Yeah, but ____ disease."

You are not depressed, you are depressing.

Spend only two minutes on a problem, then begin working to solve it.

The five ways to Save your Sanity:

The very contagious disease: Optimal Rectitus - otherwise known as having a crappy outlook

Good character is making good choices when no one else is watching.

Lures: Things people throw out to displace responsibility. Spit them out, it is up to you to take do everything you had control over. If other people choose not to accept their responsibility it does not automatically become yours to fix.

Getting closer

If you sit a 10 year old Robert down and start to explain how a atom works do you choose liken the orbit of the electrons to that of the solar system as we currently believe it, or to what is known as probability clouds?

Once you are done reading what a probability cloud is on wikipedia.org I would like to share with you the clever concept of Accessibility versus Accuracy as I heard it from "Made to Stick" by Dan and Chip Heath.

When you are sharing a concept you have to first make a decision, do you want them to get the idea, or get the idea?

Sharing with elementary students how the electrons of an atom revolve around the nucleus much like the solar system will get them close enough to understand. If your audience is comprised of Ph.D. candidates you might want to take the probability cloud approach, which would be more accurate.

Do you have a complex message that you are blessed to share. Consider the benefits of Accessibility versus Accuracy.

A piles of rocks

If you subscribe to the belief of Jesus Christ you are then inherently somewhere along the icon-idol continuum (I just coined this term).

Some congregations of believers rid anything whether it be relic or rubbish lest it be viewed a graven image. Whereas other groups of believers stockpile the the nooks and crannies of the sanctuary. Perhaps you stand somewhere in the middle of the two extremes, perhaps you don't stand at all and likely have stopped reading.

So what?

Well I wanted to retell an often overlooked story that would be wonderful for children's church. Joshua leads Israel (God's chosen people) through the desert and nevertheless another river runs across their path. Jehovah clears the way, and Joshua in his divine wisdom instructs the priest tribe to shoulder up a rock for each tribe and place it along the path.

If you have ever spent the afternoon with a 2 year old you would know that if it was up to them the letter Y would not be in 25th place. Joshua must have known that every 2 year old in every culture would go through that curious career of never-ending why.

Fundamentals for group work

Not too long ago a great man became a greater man when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and lived beyond the doctor's expectations. That man was Randy Pausch, among many things he was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

During his time there he conducted a lot of research and taught classes. At the start of each class term he would divide the class into groups and encourage them to work as a group. Below is a list of encouragements he would give them lest they made it this far and still weren't sure how to play together.

• Meet people properly - exchange contact information, make sure you can pronounce everyone's name
• Find things you have in common - sports, the weather
• Try for optimal meeting conditions - no one is hungry / cold / tired, a great time to meet is over a meal
• Let everyone speak - don't interrupt, don't finish other's sentences
• Check egos at the door - label ideas appropriately (the Bridge Story, not Jane's story)
• Praise each other - even the worst ideas still have silver linings
• Phrase alternatives as questions - Instead of: "I think we should do A and not B." Try: "What if we do A and not B?"
• Sit together

Of course this seems very basic and could be insulting to those in grad school. But I share it with you because often we don't need to be told anything new, just reminded of what we may already know.

For names sake

Look familiar?

If you wanted to learn more about me and my business Davlin Designs, you could go to DavlinDesigns.com and read about some projects I have worked on.

Should you decide you wanted to learn more about Kellogg's the wonderful breakfast cereal company you would type in Kelloggs.com and learn how grreat they are.

Suppose you wanted to learn about a certain type of car, let's say Nissan, what do you type in? Nissan.com right?

Unfortuanately not. Instead you will arrive at the wonderful business portal for Nissan Computer Company. Too bad for Nissan Motor Company, no wait - too bad for Nissan Computer Company. That's right, they didn't develop Windows so this "Mom and Pop" computer shop has been going at it now in the American court system for over 10 years.

In the meantime to find Nissan cars, you'll have to Google it.

March Forth!

Well, I did.

Two days ago now was March 4th. And in light of my forever witty (corny) humor I thought it should mean march forth.

I took the time to Tweet (Twitter) a charge to pursue the thing that has been beyond your reach or beyond your procrastination.

Getting Buff
When I was younger my Mom would ask me to help carry in the groceries from the car to the kitchen. As my mind searched for a way to make it more exciting than it really was I grabbed for the item that was sure to be heaviest - why else would she ask me to help?

Often it was the gallon of milk that yielded this excitement. In my mind's eye I was pushing the limits of strength, and after a few more grocery hauls I would be large and in charge. (I still need a few more grocery hauls.)

Give me your hand!
This is Arnold's classic line. In whichever action-hero epic he has sent to the cinema at some point in the adventure he cries out his line and saves the day.

In celebration of March Fourth I was able to give Arnold, the Governator, a hand.

That is me and hundreds of others as we constructed what will become the years largest and most attended central Ohio trade show, The Arnold Classic.

In years past I have joined the muscle-bound and fit-natics as we carried our SWAG bags and herded through the aisles. However I have yet to think about the sweat and blood that went into creating the circus.

I return on Sunday to see the demise of it all, and from what I am told it is madness.

Put me in coach!

Exactly one week before I received my pink slip I happened to schedule a coaching session with someone I met through a networking event. It was her way of letting potential customers test her out.

We chatted for more than an hour about who I was and what I wanted out of life. When we set the appointment she asked me to write down the three wishes I would make if I were given Aladdin's lamp.

1. Backpack across Europe
2. Live with a native African tribe
3. Be rich and famous for product design

When diving into our conversation I assumed we would talk about how I would get to those wishes by turning them into goals. Then as we talked I soon realized it wasn't about achieving those wishes as much as it was about discovering what was preventing me from laying hold of them.

After fully describing my first wish she asked me about the benefits of a European excursion and why I would want such a event. When I stopped tripping over my reasons the heart of the motivation was that I wanted to share stories and be that interesting person who has trekked across the mother land.

Since this nice chat I have repeatedly asked myself, "Why do I want to be interesting to others, what is the point of that?"

People Pleasers

This title has been assigned to many, as well as self-proclaimed. Usually when attributed it is not in the context of compliments. I think it might fall in the category of, "We stopped dating because he was too nice."

Isn't pleasing someone a good thing? Shouldn't we seek to make others happy and content?

I suppose overextending ourselves and pushing our boundaries to meet this end is why such a label has come to stink-so-sweet like that of a skunk.

Are you aware of your motivations? Are you a people pleaser?

Updog

What's updog?

As I am reaching for the shampoo bottle I think to myself, "Ok, the shampoo is on the right."

Then with my still blurry vision I double check the label. Not that it is of dire consequence if I accidentally put the conditioner on first, but a more of a minor waste of hair goo.

The main question here is about the label. Which way is up? When I am at the store and browsing the aisle for my preferred product of course the bottle is placed in optimum viewing condition. However when this product reached my bath's edge the point of view changes completely, especially as the contents goes down the drain.

Does your bathtime product stare you in the face as if were on the shelf, or should it have a secondary way to communicate?

I am dominant

Perspective is an interesting topic.

You have the figurative interpretation as in, "They have a different frame of reference on saving the whales."

Then there is the physical perspective that we are somewhat limited by in our everyday life. Occasionally I am reminded of the movie "Dead Poets Society" when Robin Williams invites each member of the class to stand on his desk to gain a new perspective. Even if you get to stand 6 inches higher in a particular area it shows you a different way of looking at things.

The space between your ears is often referred to as one of your most valuable assets. Seldom do we talk about the space between your eyes, and I am not referring to the nasal cavity. From pupil to pupil my eyes are about 3 inches apart. Sloth from "The Goonies" has a different measurement all together.

Dear and many four legged creatures are blessed with nearly 360º of vision. Their eyes are placed quite literally on opposite sides of their head allowing them to be aware of what is going on all around them. However they must move their head from side to side occasionally to interpret depth perception.

A fun little exercise to try for yourself will help you determine which of your eyes in more dominant. Make a triangle between the web of your hands and with both eyes open view an object across the room (for example the corner of a picture frame).

The close one eye.

Did the object move from the triangle you made with your hands? If so, the eye you closed is your dominant eye.

To double check, start again, then test the other eye. If the object did not move, the open eye is the dominant eye.







Is your dominant eye on the same side as your dominant hand?

Go left

As I was writing note cards one day I noticed the disdain that Sharpie has for those of left-handed dominance.

Well maybe its not disdain but perhaps they don't care to have their touchpoint be interpreted by those south paw consumers.

The truth is all writing utensil manufacturers show disregard for lefties (I didn't cross check paint brushes and toothbrushes).

Would it hurt to rotate the text? Often times the same logo or set of information is stamped on the piece, couldn't one of them be favorable for the occasional left hand scribe?

I don't know which cliche to end with, so you can choose.

1. A person that is right-hand dominant is said to use the left half of the brain, so does that mean those that are left hand dominant are in their "right mind"?
2. You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.

He is a nice dog.

So it turns out some of my recent occurrences of life have been summarized in a book, then created a movie. As visitors come to our home and we assure them that he really is a nice dog, their perceptions are overshadowed by the dog that is thwarting them with affection.

For one of our visits to the Davlin Mentor branch we had the car all loaded and ready to go, Lionel too. As we got to top speed on the freeway Lionel became nervous and put his front paws on the car door. Not much of a problem, but the way the window device was designed his chunky paw started to roll down the window.

With high octave screams my wife let me know that trouble was near. Fortuanatley we were able to she was able to grab his tail before he made the big leap and I used the master controls to roll up the window. From then on, whenever Lionel rides with us in the car we make sure the child safety lock in on.

But really, he is a nice dog.

A boy cries wolf

I would like to revive my blog. Over the last few days, I have experienced some things that I thought would be enjoyable readings. If at the very least enjoyable writings for me.

Last night as I took my dog for a walk I was focused on the cold blowing wind when out of nowhere another four-legged friend approached. My mind's first assessment of the situation was that my neighbor's friendly dog finagled her way outside and would soon be scolding her untimely escape. The next moment the assumed owner was not scolding K9 #2 rather he was warning me, "That's not my dog, that's not my dog!"

Once my brain was able to interpret his heralds I realize at the end of my hand was a magnet for curiosity. After shortly walking in backward circles thinking my new observer would lose track, my dog whisperer training set in. With head raised high, I began to aggress the wolf.

I didn't fully think it, but proclaiming what doesn't belong to me does not, in fact, communicate the most pressing issue.

Are you able to exclaim the most important points at a nanosecond of notice?

Does practice help?

How about preparation?

Let me know what you think.

The Economy

The love economy is what I really mean to talk about. I just spent the day around fifty-some teenagers and the biggest thing on my mind is that for one day (not to say they don't receive it elsewhere) they will feel loved and important.

Now that I consciously reflect on all the things I said there wasn't really a time that I was truly admonishing a child, but my efforts were more subtle. I tried to speak to them about things they were doing and listen with full curiosity to their stories of whatever it is they were wanted to share.

I suppose since you are reading this you have some interest in what I have to say and might even take influence, so here goes - show interest in a kid in your life, chances are she respects what you say and do, or that he wants desperately for you to approve of what he is doing right.

So spend the time and make the effort - even if there isn't an immediate response to your doings know that it will affect things unseen long before the bloom arrives.

Big Bird may have never been

I recently read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and I was impressed with the concepts that he was describing.

One story that stuck with me most of all was the telling of how Sesame Street was able to resonate with children so well, research. And not just simple Q&A with little Joey, but intense ethnography and eye tracing technology.

In case you are not familiar with the layout of the children's show here is a dirty download: Puppets "teach" lessons of elementary topics through songs, rhymes, and dancing and games. Each edu-tainment section was emceed by a overjoyed live person that reinforced the learning goal and introduced the next character.

This was the original plan as suggested by top psychologists of the day. They stated that mixing fiction (puppets) and reality (humans) would severely confuse and inhibit children's ability to learn and reason.

Fortunately the eye tracking studies told a different story. Whenever Elmo would be teaching a lovable factoid about the numbers 1-10 children were glued;, however when the person on the street scene would appear (no puppets for blocks) the viewing child would soon become bored and her eyes would wander to the next best thing.

This may have not been a big deal since the "human" parts were very short, but when you have a few of them throughout the show a child was for sure to lose interest and move on. Thus was the birthing of the Sesame Street gang which you know as Big Bird, Oscar the grouch, Snufflufugus and others.

The new concept of mixing humans and puppets for the transition scenes worked incredibly well. The eye tracking studies proved the concept, as well as the endless staring (and learning) by children.

Now I have to ask myself (and you), which is better? A TV show that separates fiction and reality, but doesn't command attention - or a TV show that captivates a child, but risks a surreal state of mind.

Family Tree

Earlier today I started emailing people for the family tree. My last name is somewhat unique, at least that is what I thought. I went through Facebook to find over 30 people with the name Davlin. Some even held it as their first name.

What I know so far is that the Davlin's came from Ireland and apparently spread around. I hope to link up some of these people and see how wide my paternal side runs.

As for my mom's side it is more of a mystery. She learned around the age of 40 that she was adopted. Which leaves my maternal side at a question.

If you know any Davlins pass on my info. I will try to chart the progress here as I learn more.

I am not sure what my motivation is just yet for charting my family tree, I am sure I will learn it as I go.

butter knife

well i havent written in my blog in the longest time and for some reason i think i should again. something about learning by review, and that cant be done if my thoughts arent recorded.

my mom mentioned to me the other day that the fedex logo is amazing because it has an arrow between the E and x. astonished that i never shared this with her throughout my time in school i pondered well maybe i could write about it myself.

the shipping industry is (and has been) overcome with the obsession that moving forward and going somewhere should be explicitly demarcated on their trucks via their logos. well in the early 90s federal express was looking to retool their image and realized that their most loyal of customers were nicknaming them fedex.

after careful creation of a typeface customers would forever revel in the hidden arrow that resides between the E and the x. Do you choose FedEx now due to their designer-ly logo and catchy name or do you just have a disdain for the brown?

one further thing i would like to point out is that the other e dons a striking resemblence to the fancy flatware item also known as a butter knife.

-that's the way i see it.

life takes reflection

Life is interesting and, well, the longer I wait to do things that I want to do the longer it seems things are going to get done.

I have been wanting to catalog my life one day at a time but many distractions have been keeping me from doing so.  I always wait for that next "first" to come up. I missed the March 1st, I missed the Jan 1st and well I think I have to just start whether it's a "first" or not.

I have been a firm believer that the best way to learn is by review what you have already heard. So this all the more confirms that I should be taking time to reflect on my day.  Uday and Pree have really encouraged me to clarify my understanding through the practice of writing.

So here goes, I can't say that I am going to write per diem, or with the depth of thought that Doogie Houser MD managed to script, but I will mention the big stones in my day and what they meant to me.

"Let me feel your forehead"

How often when you were sick (or trying to seem sick) did your mom lean in and press her check or the back of her hand to your forehead? Often with me she would say, "Hmm you don't feel warm..."

Well technology has finally caught up with mom's skin sensitivity. I was at the doctor's office this past Friday for a touch of pink eye and the PA pulls out this device and lets me know that she will be taking my temperature.

A gentle swipe across my forehead and down my temple and she was done, "98.6˚ it is very accurate too," she says and she continues filling out the form.

I wonder what other sensations we have been having for all this time that would be a more accurate (and less invasive) product. Time will surely tell.

QWERTY or DVORAK

this is typed on a Dvorak

Well at least that first line was. I discovered that a Dvorak typeset can be used on any computer. Dvorak is a keyboard organization that aligns the most used letters the home row line.

That's right, there is a better configuration than QWERTY. Back in the day when typewriters were used the Dvorak was used. Then it was replaced because, get this, it was too efficient!! Typers were crawling over the keyboard so fast that the hammers would get stuck and jam on one another.

Over the years the QWERTY keyboard became the standard for typewriters and so when the transition to computers came the slowing effects of the qwerty had been somewhat overcome so people could still make quality use.

This is a great example of how technology and user studies can affect our landscape of products. What would have been if our keyboards were reassessed after the silicone revolution? Would there be less carpal tunnel cases? Would typing have a easier learning curve? Would this have changed how texting (SMS) developed?

I will be trying the Dvorak keyboard occasionally to see if there is a benefit. Read more about the alternate keyboard arrangement online.

roll up your window

As product continue to improve and change shouldn't our expressions change with it? The other day Sarah, my wife, asked me to "roll up the window."

My jumpy mind took the tangent for a ride, so I let her know that I wasn't able to "roll" it up rather I had to use a switch.

Will our expressions become modern or will it be dubbed as classic?

Another discovery I had was in MS Word. Over the years I developed the mantra "Save and save often!" If you were one of the many computer lab rats that lost hours of work simply because you didn't save after each paragraph then you know what I am talking about.

As you can see the "Save" shortcut is an icon of the old 3.5" Floppy disk. I think it has been at least three years now that they haven't been including them in the mainstream computer options.

When will it come to pass that the icon for saving will be disconnected? Will children only know the 3.5" disk because of the save shortcut, and never have seen one?

And this one if for free: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth" Back in time horses were gifts for more than spoiled children. To ensure that a horse was in good health you would inspect their teeth. Translation: Don't review the quality of a gift, especially in front of the giver.