I’m a true believer that a leader must be willing to be the “bad guy” in the business world — especially as it relates to enforcing rules and upholding ethical standards.  But that being said, I think the point of this article is a good one — that being genuinely likeable is a huge asset in the business world (and in the personal world, too, for that matter!)

Because while I think Maya Angelou is wrong about a whole lot of things, I think she’s right about this:  “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you do, people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I have GOT to learn the dance Arthur Brown does on this video.

My gorgeous bride, Miss ViVi, bought my older son a Nerf gun last Christmas.  I think I liked it more than he did.

I mean, this thing came with two removable six-round box magazines, and was styled after a decked-out AR-15, with carry handle mounting a removable scope on a pseudo-Picatinny rail (Nerf rail?), an adjustable stock, and a folding bipod.  The whole fore-end and front grip form a removeable unit that functions as a separate single-shot pistol.  Both it and the main unit fire foam-and-plastic Nerf darts.  I’ve since purchased additional magazines and darts, so The Revered Doctor Vinoski Sweetness is one heavily-armed young fella.

I’ve been meaning to post about it since I started this blog.  I came across this article not too long ago, about an even more sophisticated Nerf weapon (full auto!), and am now finally getting around to sending unreserved kudos to the Nerf marketing and manufacturing teams.  Bravo, good men!  Bravo!  Hasbro rules!

I went out looking for a picture of TRDVS’s weapon.  Couldn’t find it.  But I found that they also offer weapons with rotary drum magazines…

…and belt-fed weapons.

What’s not to love about these guys?

I’d forgotten about these guys until my wife plugged a bootleg CD someone gave us a long time ago into the car player when we were on our way to dinner last night.  They totally rock — and getting re-acquainted with Henry Garza’s guitar and his and his brothers’ Tejano sound is all too appropriate as we remember Stevie Ray.

I’m pretty sure I saw them at Memphis in May years ago — Rich, is that right?  Regardless, how can you not love a band of three brothers — especially brothers named Henry, Jojo and Ringo?

And hey, before anyone launches a prosecution, I’ve got their original CD (which is the ripped-off one we have) and Sacred both cued up to order from Amazon.  We’re gonna make it up to you, Los Lonely Boys!

Thanks to my sister-in-law Theresa, I have a few pictures to share from my big day.

The first is at the starting line with my niece and nephew, Lauren and Nate, who ran a two-man relay.  The last is once again with those two after we’d all finished, joined by Bug and The Reverend Doctor Vinoski Sweetness.

My buddy Brian convinced me to invest in tickets to see Stevie Ray at the Memphis Mud Island Ampitheatre — which I was dubious about; they were second-row seats, but “Possibly Obstructed.”  I pictured the worst.

And got the best.  Not only were the seats pretty much completely unobstructed (except for some speakers partially blocking our view of Chris “Whipper” Layton), but we were within spitting distance of the Great One.

It was the show of a lifetime.

Just a few years later I was visiting my brother Steve up in Boston.  He and a friend came in from work to eat lunch with us, and I caught him saying “…helicopter crashed, and they’re pretty sure Stevie Ray was on it.”  A quick check of the news confirmed the worst, and it was all I could do to keep from sobbing.

Can that really have been twenty years ago?

My wife, the sweet Miss ViVi, arrived home from a run shortly after I finished my post about Spirit and Jay Ferguson.  I mentioned the connection to her, and she recognized neither “I Got a Line On You” nor “Thunder Island.”

Yes, she’s been my faithful companion for nearly a quarter century.  And sure, she’s given me two beautiful, healthy sons and a lifetime of wonderful memories.  And yes, she’s more gorgeous today than the day I met her.  And before I do anything hasty, I’ll consult my own private Deepak Chopra, my little brother Rich.  But I’m pretty sure what he’ll have to say about all this, especially about not even knowing the name Jay Ferguson:  Kick her to the curb.

And I shall.  Jus as soon as I find the checkbook…

I’ve always loved “I Got a Line On You” by Spirit.

Of course, in addition to this hit song, the band was also instrumental in launching the career of Jay Ferguson.

For both reasons, they hold a respected spot in the pantheon of American Music.

God bless Robert Cribb and the service he’s rendered society with his “Ogling Women a Natural Reflex.”

My favorite bit is this:

But if the socially repulsive act of staring at beautiful women is actually an artifact of ancient DNA, surely the trance-induced man should get a little latitude, no?

Even criminal law acknowledges temporary insanity as an extenuating circumstance in the commission of grievous crimes.

Frankly, I think some apologies are in order.

“I tell women, cut the guy some slack,” says Brizendine. “He may cut you some slack for being moody during your PMS.”

I’ll also share that a number of years ago, a then-new boss of mine and I were sitting together in the Pittsburgh airport in between flights, drinking a beer and chatting.  I had pointed out a few particularly interesting passers-by of the opposite sex when he asked if my wife would be upset by my looking.  I told him no, to which he replied that his would be furious.  They’re long since divorced now.

(Hat tip to Instapundit.)

One of my favorites — “Blackest Eyes.”

Porcupine Tree has got to hold a record for the brilliance/fame mismatch. You know God has a sense of humor when Lady Gaga’s all the rage and these guys work in near anonymity.