2009 Reading List

I like to read. I read a bunch in 2008 and I want to continue that in 2009. Several of the books that I read this year were off the cuff. I didn't plan on reading them but I would pick them up at airports or borrow them from others. I'm going to take a different approach this year and make a list to stick to.

This list runs the gamut. Fiction, Non-Fiction, Literature, Biographies, Inspiration and a few classics...36 in total, average of 3 a month...

I have a few already but still need to get a bunch...If you want to hook a brother up with a gift or let him borrow one, that would be swell...

And in the spirit of the upcoming Inaguation, I'm going to start off 2009 with Nixonland and Audacity of Hope.

1. Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell
2. Blink – Malcolm Gladwell
3. Einstein – Walter Isaacson
4. Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama (On the Shelf)
5. Getting Things Done – David Allen (On the Shelf)
6. Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
7. Good To Great – Jim Collins
8. Crazy Love – Francis Chan (On the Shelf)
9. The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the Whitehouse – Nancy Gibbs
10. The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch
11. Hot, Flat and Crowded – Thomas Friedman
12. Screwtape Letters – CS Lewis
13. Same Kind of Different as Me – Ron Hall
14. Lions of Lucerne – Brad Thor
15. State of the Union – Brad Thor
16. Take Down – Brad Thor
17. Blow Back – Brad Thor
18. The Apostle – Brad Thor
19. Depression Economics – Paul Krugman
20. Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith – Rob Bell
21. Machine that Changed the World: The Story of Lean Manufacturing – James Womack (On the Shelf)
22. Through Painted Deserts – Donald Miller
23. The Paths We Choose – Sully Erna
24. Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time – Greg Mortenson
25. The Man Who Owns the News – Rupert Murdoch
26. Hemingway on Fishing – Ernest Hemingway (On the Shelf)
27. The Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger (On the Shelf)
28. 1984 – George Orwell
29. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
30. On the Road – Jack Kerouac
31. A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir – Donald Worster
32. The Working Poor: Invisible in America - David K. Shipler
33. Servant Leader – Ken Blanchard
34. Flight of Passage: A Memoir – Rinker Buck (On the Shelf)
35. Turnaround: How Carlos Ghosn Rescued Nissan – David Magee
36. The Wisdom of Listening – Mark Brady

Ok, Ok...One more for 2008...

I didn't think I was going to finish this one before the New Year but I just couldn't put it down last night...So, I stayed up til' about 1 or so and finished it up...

This was one of the best books I've read this past year. Malcolm Gladwell takes a look at success through a different lense...Opposed to looking at the individual and their success, he takes a look at many other factors.

We all love a good story about a person that defeats all odds and becomes a success through hard work and determination...Movies and books are often written because of "self-made" men/women.

The best example that was given talked about the tallest tree in the forest. It's all about the hardiest acorn that becomes the tallest tree. We examine why that acorn was so much better than all the others but neglect analyzing the soil it grew from, the sunlight it received and the trees around it. Here...I drew a picture for you...

In light of this example, Gladwell takes a look at specific examples of successful individuals and analyzing the forces surrounding the individual and their success...ie when they were born, socio-ecocomics and cultural legacies. Absolutely fascinating is all I have to say.

As complex as the topic is, he makes it incredible easy to read and understand. Lots and lots of facts from lots of different studies that have already been done.

If you haven't done it already, put this one on your 09' reading list. It's worth your time.

Onto 2009 for me...

Trippy Tree....

All the trees outside of work have absolutely no leaves...I've wanted to take a pic for a long time because they look so creepy...I finally did today.

The original picture was pretty sick by itself because of how blue the sky was today but I dug the blur effect that iPhoto gave it...Kind of looks like a cover a crazy book or CD album..

Couple More Books...

During this last week in So. Cal, I had a bunch of free time to read. Yee Haw for me...

I finished up my 3rd Brad Thor book of the year. I really dig this dude's stories. It's mindless reading and I'm not really learning anything but it's just good ol' fashion action packed stuff.

The main character (Scot Harvath) is involved in yet another plot by a terrorist organization to take down is family and friends. Of course, he's a bad ass that totally goes against the grain of what the President or the CIA says...

I won't give it away...But in the end, dudeman gets the bad guy. I hope I didn't ruin it for anyone...

After I was finished with the above book, I found this dandy in my rent's house.

I've actually read a couple of other Ben Mezrich's books in the past. In fact, the movie "21" with Kevin Spacey is based on his book Bringing Down the House...

Needless to say, I was pretty stoked to find this book because I really enjoyed the others that I have read. The main character in this book is a young guy (24) that luckily gets hooked up with the NY Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) through some pretty gutsy moves. After some gritty and smart work, he gets hooked up with the nephew of a powerful sheik in Dubai who works for the ministry of finance. Long story short, these guys were the masterminds that helped get the Dubai Mercantile Exchange up and running. Something that people laughed at when first proposed. It's now up and running...True story...Check it out...www.dubaimerc.com...Is fo' real...

I guess that about rounds out 2008 in terms of reading. I don't think I'll finish the book I'm reading now so that will have to go into 2009...Speaking of, I'm going to post my reading list here in the next couple of days. I've got a bunch of books picked out right now and trying to narrow down the final few...This year, I've read about 25 books...I'm shooting for 40 next year.

Tracers....

Amanda and I were cruising to Target tonight and I saw the moon shining through the branches of this cool tree...So I flipped a quick U to get my camera and tri-pod...You can't really see the moon but I thought the pic turned out kind of cool...

God is Good!!!!

Following email was sent from someone in our small group who is going through a death of a grandparent...

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to give you all an update. My grandfather is now at home with Hospice taking care of him around the clock. Sunday night, he prayed for salvation and Monday, a cousin who is a minister came and baptized him at his request. He understands exactly what that means and can't remember much, but reminded me yesterday that he's been baptized :)

So, as horrible a time as this is, I'm reminded that God's grace is so amazing! This would be completely impossible to get through if not for Him. I want to thank all of you for your prayers and please continue to pray for his peace and for God's grace in his life and for strength for our family.

Since this email, the grandfather has passed away and is now looking down from Heaven.

I'm always amazed that regardless of what a mess we are, He is always pursuing us...

Cahones...

Totally impressed with Obama's pick to deliver his invocation at the inauguration. Not because I like Rick Warren. I'm impressed because Obama knew it was gonna tick people off that voted for him. That took stones and I admire him for that.

A Recipe for Ya...

There's a place in Southern California called Wahoo's Fish Tacos that I absolutely love. All their stuff is just so fresh and grubness...Since I'm not able to eat at Wahoo's every single day, I shook things up a bit and cooked something similar here. This is a great and easy and goodness recipe. Especially for single dudes out there that don't really want to cook...

So, here ya go:

1) Cup of cooked rice...This is the only thing you have to cook...I personally use a rice cooker because of the consistent quality and I can set it and forget it...
2) Warm up some black beans and place them into the little rice valley that's been made...
3) Shredded lettuce next...
4) Now for some meat...I like to use this pre-made chicken breast in SW flavor. It works well but you can use whatever meat you want or don't want if you're veggie-tarrean...
5) Here comes the dairy group with some Mexican cheese...That warmed up chicken and rice will help the cheese melt into gooey proportions...

6) I top the whole thing off with some Herdez Mild Salsa. I love this salsa. It's found in the true Mexican aisle of the grocery store so you know it's close to the real deal and not made in New York City...Nonetheless, you can pick your flavor...7) And here's to some enjoyment!!!!

So there ya go...It's a great and easy recipe that requires some time and a microwave...Maybe a pot or a rice cooker if you don't use microwave rice...

Let me know what you think...

If you can dodge a shoe...You can dodge a ball...

GW: It appears that guy is about to throw a shoe at me...GW: Holy crap!!! It's really a shoe and it's headed right towards me...
GW: Sissy ass arm...Wasn't even close...Why is this guy next to me absolutely unfazed?

My Boy Jimbo - The Bach Party

Friday night was the celebration of my buddy Jim's bachelor party.
11 dudes manned up and threw down for Jimbo's fiesta...
Insanely fun night.
First - Stats...Guiness and Smythicks tap at the table. So goodness.
Next - Thrasher's Game...Ridiculous seats. Thrashers got thrashed by the Bruins but there were several good fights and 10 goals between the teams.
After That - We ended up at Lennys to see Yelawolf. Unfortunately, he didn't go on until about 1:30 or so...J. Ross, Wes and I were the only ones to stay...
The bands before Yelawolf was some of the worst stuff I've ever heard. Yet hilarious.

All in all...Great nite with some great buds.

Love ya J-Dub and incredibly happy for you...

The Bachelor in full force!!!!
When I talked to the ticket office, I asked for the Zamboni but instead I got this...Better than nothing I guess...The Thrashers got smoked but they threw down...
The Crew...

Dudeman should be working the Clinique Booth at Lenox

Get Elved...

Do yourself a favor and click on the link...
Courtesy of my awesome Mom...

Elf Freakin' Tastic!!!!!

What to wear when your wife wants you to do Chores....

Minor Rant....

Here's the deal...I didn't vote for Obama...

But I am rooting for him 100%...

Why wouldn't I? I hope he earns my vote in 4 years from now because I think if he does then he would have completely turn this economy around and set a great foundation for the future...That being said...

He was on Meet the Press this weekend and said this....

TOM BROKAW, MODERATOR: Your vice president Joe Biden said during the course of this campaign it would be patriotic for the wealthy to pay more on taxes. In this economy, does he still believe that?

BARACK OBAMA: Well, I think what Joe meant is exactly what I described which is that if, if our entire economic policy is premised on the notion that greed is good and what's in it for me, it turns out that that's not good for anybody. It's not good for the wealthy, it's not good for the poor, and it's not good for the vast majority in the middle.

And I get a little powerpoint slide from a Union rep at the Atlanta airport that says this, "The IAM (I am the Future) will end Delta's unilateral control over wages and give employees the ability to negotiate and ratify the wages and other employment terms they want."

This was from a Union representative which is a major constituency of Obama because of his stance on Unions. Doesn't this say "What's in it for me?" Doesn't this say, I could care less about our customer, where's my jack and my benefits?

I'm not saying that the machinists and mechanics shouldn't get paid a crap load of money. In fact, I hope they do. Not because they tell their bosses that they should but because they are really good at what they do. I depend on these people monthly. I fly all the time and I hope they do a great job and I hope they get paid a bunch because they are really good...Not because they have worked there the longest or not because they and a bunch of other people like them told their bosses that they should get paid a lot...

I don't want to get raises because I tell my boss what I want to make. I want to get raises because my boss sees value in what I do and I give a crap about the entire company...

Isn't an employee/employer relationship unilateral when it comes to pay and benefits?

Boss: Hi Joe, you get paid this much to do your job description
Joe: Ok, so what you saying is...Is if I do that, I get this?
Boss: Absolutely.
Joe: Cool....
Boss: Now go get em' Tiger...

I seriously hope this country doesn't go back to Union control...I think they served a great purpose at a time (ie No Human Resource Law and horrible working conditions)...But I don't see the benefit now...

If someone does know...Please clarify....

T-Ro in the House

My bro J-Dub's fiance is now blogging....

Her name is T-Ro and she likes cats and Obama....

Go see what's crackin' over there and say what's up....

Gotta Love Re Runs...

For those that haven't seen the goodness yet...TLC...Dec. 9th...8:30am EST...
Check your local listings...

Great Quote

"Blame who you want...If people would have listened to the voice of wisdom opposed to the voice of greed or the voice of discontentment, we wouldn't be in such a mess today." - Andy Stanley

Marinate on that for a little bit....