Happy Labor Day!

I'm out for the weekend. See you on Tuesday.

It's not tailgating.... I'm drafting

I had a jam packed 24 hours in America's Heartland beginning Sunday at 3pm. I started it off in fine fashion, enjoying a DQ Blizzard with my parents in Platte City, MO. Next it was on to Liberty MO. There I enjoyed a nice mix of Pac-Man, Ping Pong, Frogger, Texas Hold'em, Galaga and finally a fantasy Football draft. Got some rest. Up early, interview with a new potential sales rep at Starbucks in Overland Park, KS. Driving too fast, customer appointment and lunch in Lee Summit, MO. On the way to the airport, I did a quick stop by William Jewell College, Liberty, MO, to experience the 1st day of school all over again.

I should spend more time up north, I can't recall in any recent history such a pleasant mix of activities. (Right now, my wife is thinking "you make enough trips up there as it is)

Now the draft. Last year I finished a strong 5th (10 team league) after making the terrible mistake of drafting Jon Kitna in the 4th round. I've still yet to live that one down. Looking to avoid the same mistake, I did much more pre-draft preparation. Here is a recap of my picks and a quick evaluation of each. I had the 6th pick.

1) Duce McAllister, RB, NO - I expect this to be a good pick. NO beefed up it offensive line and has made a commitment to the running game.
2) Kevin Jones, RB DET - I bit of a risk here, but was the NFL's leading rusher the second half of last year.
3)Reggie Wayne, WR, IND - #2 receiver for IND but I'm hoping he takes over the #1 spot this year.
4)Antonio Gates, TE, SD - Best TE in the game, even sitting out the 1st game of the year.
5)Deion Branch, WR, NE - Tom Brady's favorite target. Let's hope he stays healthy.
6)Jimmy Smith, WR, JAC - Still has a few good years left, Jacksonville likes to throw.
7)Santana Moss, WR, WAS - This was a terrible pick. Washington doesn't have a QB.
8)Brett Farve, QB, GB - He says he's in great shape and has a good receiving core.
9)Michael Bennett, RB, MN - I'm hoping he takes ownership of the starting role.
10)Charlie Rogers, WR, DET - Tons of talent, needs to stay healthy.
11)Carolina, D -
12)Jason Elam, K, DEN - Thin air at Mile High.
13)Jake Plummer, QB, DEN - Farve is old needed a good back up.
14)Bobby Engram, WR, SEA - Good for a few catches a game.
15)David Carr, QB, HOU - Plummer throws lots of INTs, but should have picked a TE.

There it is. I think I have a well balanced team.

Here's a few quick hits from the trip.

At lunch on Monday our (female) Bartender says, "It smells like hotdogs, do you smell that?" Jake Davis, "Nope, but you've always had a nose for weiners."

From a Sports Illustrated article I read on the plane, My Football Failure.

NFL Terminology:

Hash Marks: what you might find on Ricky Williams's couch.

Dime Package: what you might find under Ricky William's couch.

Quarterback: what you get after forking over $7 for a beer at Giants Stadium.

Throwback jersey: What a fisherman does after catching the Garden State.

we should be thankful..

Today, while waiting to board my flight back to Dallas I witnessed 6 six soldiers return home from service. It was amazing. Their families (wives, children, parents) were so happy to see them. I overheard one daughter exclaim "Dad, I'm in 1st grade now!"

This can help put it in perspective, Tribute.

I NEED A HERO

This has been one crazy week. Vanita and I had something going on every single evening. Monday it was dinner with the in-laws, Tuesday swim lessons for Savanna, Wednesday date night and Thursday I went out with friends. Tonight, I finally take a much needed break.

For our evening out on Wednesday, Vanita and I enjoyed great food at discounted rates while contributing to charity. The Capitol Grill was one of several area restaurants participating in KRLD Restaurant Week. Diners enjoy 3 course meals at a fixed rate of $30 per person and $6 of that goes to either the North Texas Food Bank or the Lena Pope Home. It is a great opportunity to try some of the better restaurants in town.

Well in addition to my busy social calendar, work has been just as eventful. End of month is quickly approaching and we sales folk are rarely successful at balancing our wins out across the entire month. So here we are, just under 4 selling days remaining and looking to throw the sales hail mary. Don't count me out, I have a team full of Doug Fluties.

This weekend, take the stairs two steps at a time.

Feedblitz - Feed delivery via email.

A few of you rely on emails from an outfit called Bloglet to receive notifications that I've posted something to my blog. However, as you no doubt know, Bloglet's service is incredibly flakey, so many times, the notices don't go out.

Following a suggetion from Brad Feld, I am trying a new service called Feedblitz, which will serve the same purpose but appears to be MUCH more reliable. I made the clean switch today so you should receive the new and improved email tomorrow. You don't have to do anything to convert your subscription over -- I will do it for you. Just be aware that the emails will now be coming from a different source.

If you're not signed up and would like to be just enter your email address in the space below my profile and click subscribe me.

Gone Fishing

I awoke Sunday morning having slept off the sugar rush from Savanna's party. We (my mom and Granny were in town) filled our open afternoon with a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium. The place is more of a zoo than an aquarium. Not because it's out of control, but due to the variety of animals the place has. This was my second trip and it's great for summer months in Dallas because it's nearly all indoors. I attached a few good pictures from the day. My favorite is when Savanna met a 3-toed Sloth for the first time.

she's 4 having a big party

Saturday afternoon we celebrated Savanna's fourth birthday, which is officially on Tuesday, the 23rd. We attempted to throw her a party to remember, by inviting some big names who also share her birthday. Below is the "celebrity list" of invitees and their regrets.



Kobe Bryant - turning 26, too busy practicing Zen
River Phoenix - 34, filming E True Hollywood Story
Shelley Long - 55, some lame excuse, because we know she isn't working
Rick Springfield - 55, Rick is a friend of mine, but lately somethings changed that ain't hard to define.
Barbara Eden - 70, doesn't get out of the bottle much these days

Savanna didn't seem to mind the big names not being in attendance. She had a great time at Pump It Up in Arlington. She bounced much, ate much pizza and opened much gifts. Let us know if you would like an invite to next year's event.

Something you haven't thought about.

I caught up with 6 former co-workers today for lunch and was reminded of why Nextlink/XO was such a great place to work from 1999 to 2001. We did 2 hours (hey, it's Friday) of "remember whens and whos." Laughed much and promised to not wait so long to meet again.

My obscure take away came from Chris Harper, who now works in the lighting business, specifically (I think) contracting with business to replace burnt out bulbs. He said, "this is a slow time of year for me." Why would that be? I thought. I couldn't come up with any good explanation. Chris answered my concerns, "There is so much daylight this time of year that people don't realize their bulbs are out."

Interesting.

All right, it's time to get the weekend started. Everyone follow along...

Say, "HEEEY"

Say, "HOoo"

Now puts your arms in the air.... lean to the left.

Say, "Heeey!"

lean to the right.

Say, "Ho"

back to the left.

Say, "Hey - Ho!"

repeat, all weekend long.

a little network congestion

Did you have some problems logging on this morning? Maybe your web pages weren't loading quite as fast as usual?

I know why. My sister, Melanie Freeland, started her blog yesterday. Now I'm not trying to pull a "this internet is not big enough for both of us," but did she have to follow the regular Smith process? Really Melanie is winning so important that you now think Blogging is a sport?

She writes in her first post, "...it is not when you enter the race but how you finish." Come on! Isn't it just like an architect to ignore business values such as "speed to market."

Alright, all kidding aside. Melanie is a wonderful sister and a great architect. Using only Lincoln Logs she could design the house of your dreams. While her blog won't be nearly as impressive it might still be worth a visit.

Driving me crazy!!!

Will someone please explain to me, where do all of these cars come from the day after school starts?

Really where are these "Fall-Winter-Spring" jobs? School teachers don't count, they should be off the roads and in the classrooms well before the rest of us.

Not once. Not anywhere, have I met the person who goes into hiding from Mid May to Mid August. Do they work with you? Please give me an example. They clog our freeways from 7 to 9 and 4 to 6 every fall, winter and spring.

Name that baby!

I thought we might name our new family member after other famous Smith's. Here are a few options being considered. Let's us know what you think (we're open to other suggestion also).

Adam - famous economist developed "the invisible hand" expression
Emmit - NFL rushing leader
Lee - MBL closer for Cubs, Red Sox and Cards
Ozzie - MBL shortstop great
Steve - NBA journeyman or NFL Panther receiver
Josh - NBA Slam Dunk Champion 2005
Will - Actor/Singer
Michael - as Michael W. - singer
Robert - lead singer The Cure
Gordon - US Senator from Oregon
Horace - part founder of Smith and Wesson

I'd love to have a little Emmit but don't think Vanita will go for it.

NBA Skills

I read a great quote in Sports Illustrated yesterday.

Antoine Walker, long ranger gunner recently acquired by the Heat from the Celtics, when asked why he shoots to many threes: "Because there are no fours."

That's "outside the box" thinking.

It's a......

Technology advancements are what my job is all about. I sell voice (phone) service over the internet (VoIP) to businesses all around the US. Given that, I also chose to take advantage of "technology" and find out if we are expecting a boy or a girl in December. Some folks are more old fashion and want to wait until the baby is born. To those I ask, with the internet at your finger tips, do you go to the local library to do your research? What's a matter, too slow too old fashion? You get the point. If you can know now, I'm up for hearing the news.

So Vanita and I visited the doctor today to do just that. It was wonderful. Vanita cried. When we called the grandmothers they cried. Here's how it went down for me, check it out.

The link doesn't always work on the first try. Enjoy.

Nice Throw

It is bound to happen. Children, most certainly, will be faster, taller, smarter (just plain better) than the parents who raised them at one or multiple skills. I just had no idea it would happen so soon. Luckily not to me!

You see, in Vegas, we were once asked to leave the casino because Vanita couldn't keep the dice on the craps table. She'd throw, the dice went every where except the table. Isn't it better to miss completely than crap out? Tonight, Savanna was in her room and determined she was in need of more milk. It's her regular routine to have some before going to bed (the dentist tells us it's really good for the teeth). Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, Savanna steps out of her room and says "Catch it." Takes two more strides towards the top of the stairs, pivots and fires. Hitting me right between the numbers with her "sippy" cup. "Good catch, Dad."

Up next for Savanna, Movie Trivia! While watching TV just before bed I flipped to a classic.
Vanita: "What's this movie called?"
Brett: "Blues Brothers"
Vanita: "Never heard of it"

D Lee in the House!

Just finished reading and bookmarking the newest addition to the world of blogging, DLee's Briefcase. Written by Kansas City's most eligible bachelor, Darin Lee. Instead of Lee, it should be Legend.

This guy was All- State in 3 sports while being an A student in high school. In college, Darin kept the grades, played on the football team and served his fraternity holding true to the ideals on which it was founded. Now he just runs marathons a couple of times a year. On slow weekends, he competes in mini Triathlons in the morning and plays golf tournaments in the afternoon. Why he once, right in front of a city cop, spun the tires on a 55 International pick-up just to see if he would get pulled over (which he did). Alright, spinning the tires was an accident.

I only tell you this because you would never hear it from him. He is humble, hard working, faithful, compassionate and best of all, a great friend. Go check out his site...

12am Question

Just as I was about asleep, Savanna, who had been out since 9, made a few noises in her room. I was hoping she would fall back to sleep. 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand, 3 one thousand...."Daddy". Ohh no, I had to take action. She would be in our room in less than a minute. Out of bed, up the stairs I go. I met her just inside her doorway. "Dad, why.... why" rubbing her eyes. "Let's lay back down" I suggest. Luckily she accepts my suggestion, gathers her thoughts and says "Dad, why do you have big rooms?" Alright, I have no idea what she is talking about but my answer could 1) lead to an all night conversation that would ultimately need Mom's help to end or 2) magically put her to sleep. Here goes "So you have enough room to play?"

Hands under the cheek, eyes close. Victory!!!!!

Dinner and a Movie

Vanita's parents gave us a break this afternoon, baby sitting Savanna for about three hours. Given the limited amount of time we visited one of our favorite places, The Movie Tavern. They have four locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex where you can eat dinner while watching a movie. The concept seems like a great business plan. They purchased smaller movie theaters that couldn't compete with the new AMC and Cinamark mega-theatres. Renovations were made replacing every other row of seats with tables. The food is good, reasonably priced and they carry most of the recent movie releases.

This time we watched, The Wedding Crashers. A great flick, that kept us laughing for most of the movie.

Next time (in DFW) you are looking for a new spin on the same old date night plan give The Movie Tavern a try.

She's a turkey

A good friend of mine, Jason Ratliff, introduced me to a favorite phrase in college. "Turkeys are done, people are finished." It's a special time in a parent's life when your child begins to take joy in your silly sayings.

Our conversation at dinner last week.

Savanna: "I'm Done."
Me: smiling "Are you a turkey?"
Savanna: giggling "I'm finished."

Public Transportation and Great Steak

Happier than Rafael Palmeiro at Balco Labs, I just returned to my hotel room in Midtown. Tonight's events were a bit of an adventure. For this weeks visit to Atlanta, I passed on a rental car and decided to use the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (Marta). I had high hopes and thus far it hasn't let me down, too much.

My destination McKendrick's Steak House. The restaurant was named America's Finest Steak House by Prime Steak Houses and I just had to see if it could live up to this reputation. Now I'm no steak expert but it is one of my favorite entrees.

So off to the Marta station I went. Purchased my $1.75 one way token and waited a short 28 minutes for my train to arrive. Keep in mind this was mere nanoseconds in comparison to the time spent on the tarmac earlier in the day. The Marta kicked me out where I needed to be, but I had lost all sense of direction during the trip. So I called McKendrick's with two questions: Do you have a dress code (I'm in a t-shirt, jeans and flipflops) and how do I get there? The conversation:

Kat: McKendrick's this is Kat.
Me: Hi! I was hoping to try one of your steak's but wondered if you have a dress code?
Kat: Ooohh, yes we do, it's business casual.

Ut Oooh. I best go with question two.

Me: Where are you located? By the mall?
Kat: Yes. Where are you?
Me: Just got off the Marta....
Kat: long pause... Uhhh what do you have on?
Me: T shirt
Kat: It can't have any writing on it.... like..... Metallica.
Me: laughing.... What if I just ironed it?

A few minutes later I made it to McKendrick's where Kat greeted me with a smile. I had a great NY Strip with garlic taters and even tried some mushrooms free of charge. I would recommend the experience to everyone but if you want my favorite steak house you'll still have to visit Bob's Steak and Chop House off Lemon in Dallas.

GGGOOOOOAAAL!!!

I'm in Atlanta for the next few days which should give me ample time to catch up on the blog.

The plane ride here and the subsequent 40 minute delay on the runway (is there a worse wait?) gave me time to get through the August issue of Fast Company. The magazine contained yet another wonderfully applicable article from Marshall Goldsmith. Being the beginning of my 3rd month with Covad, I felt it was time to assist the team in setting and working towards some goals for the next 18 months. After all nothing changes, except by chance, unless we do.

Marshall's article read:

We all set goals to get some aspect of our lives in shape. All too often, we fail to meet them. Why? There are four major challenges that we mistakenly assess:
1) Time: "This is taking a lot longer than I thought it would," or "I don't have time for this."
2) Effort: "This is a lot harder than I thought it would be, " or "I'm tired. It's just not worth it."
3) Competing goals: "I had no idea I would be so busy this year. I'll just have to worry about this later."
4) Maintenance: "After I got in shape, I celebrated by indulging in some of the actions that forced me to set my goals in the first place. Now, for some unexplained reason, I'm back where I started. What am I supposed to do?"

We often confuse the words "simple" and "easy." The changes I help people make are generally very simple. However, they are never easy.

He goes on....

To achieve meaningful goals, you'll have to pay the price. There' no product, no diet, no exercise program, and (I hate to admit it) no executive coach who can make you better. Only you can do it. If your source of motivation doesn't come from inside, you won't stick with it.

A great basketball team from William Jewell once adopted the slogan, "Give Me Something Hard." I hope our Covad team feels the same way.