Eating rare Japanese Kobe beef in San Francisco.

Is this true?

Listening to Tal Ben Shahar. The power of positive psychology.

Traveling home. After two weeks on the road.

2 weeks on the road.
3 major, and very successful events.
4 different hotels.
A pretty exhausted chap.
Flights delayed.an extra 2 hours in the Houston airport.
Rain storms in San Fran. Great.
I don't want rain at home!
But there is a great wine bar in the airport. And One of my favorite
Louisiana seafood houses.

But my reward for when I get home is a Rocky Mountain Chocolate
Factory pecan apple. Yum.

Simple things in life.

That's my Friday.

And yours?

I have had 5 dates today. And it's only lunch time!

New York City.
My Friday office.

Eating Creole in Washington DC.

In Washington DC for meetings. Done. Time to start the weekend at a creole restaurant. Gumbo. Deviled eggs. BBQ oysters and collards with bacon. Yum! (but it means a hard workout this afternoon). Great weather in DC.

Shanghai, China - at the World Expo

 

Doing a 70s retro flashback.

Doing a high school reunion. At the post reunion bar 1:00 am. Listening to 70s retro rock. The coolest bar in Topeka. Called Mr. B's. Two dollar cover charge. Sitting next to the high school home coming jock. Quiet then. Alcoholic now. He is dancing with the homely girl from high school. Who is now a model in Dallas. She told me she has 87 pairs of shoes with 3 inch heels. I dated her in junior high. Ok. Only two weeks. But it counts. At the table is the quiet guy. He and his brother now own 9 golf courses. He stil wears t shirts. And tells us tasteless blonde jokes that maybe I once got. A mustard bottle sits on the table at this bar. Permanently. The guys in the band wear tye dye t-shirts. The learned this music from playing rockhand. One old dude is real. He was hear when this music was real. He rocks on. We all rock on. One more day.

Ice Cream redefined! WOW! Humphry Slocombe in San Fran!

Three people told me I had to go here. Wow. This place is fantastic. This place inspires me to want to do ice-cream.

What would you choose? Where do you start?

I had to try their most famous: "Secret breakfast." it is vanilla ice-cream heavily laced with bourbon and corn flakes. Excellent.

I chased it with a scoop of chocolate with smoked sea salt. Again wonderful.

I can't wait to come back and try more. Who wants to join me?

San Francisco Mission District - Roosevelts Tamale Parlor!

Exploring great Latin food, murals and city life in this historic and charming neighborhood. And I am starting off with tamales!

The tamales here were fantastic!

Oh Baby!

GROWING THE SEEDS THAT YOU HAVE PLANTED

Friends, yesterday, during my trip home from Florida to California, I published a little quip from the Houston Airport on my blog "Friday in the City" at: http://fridayinthecity.blogspot.com/

In the short email that turned into a blog, I ended the post with, "Parents, learn parenting skills!."

A few of you scolded me for that comment, saying,

" Mr Bachelor Von Feldt: Crying babies on a flight seldom have anything to do with parenting skills... If you ever have kids yourself, you will find out…"

" Such skills are, perhaps, the most difficult to acquire for any human being, Rick. Children don't come with manuals attached."

I decided I should give a little more of my perspective, right or wrong. If you are or are not a parent, I would love to have your additional thoughts and comments!

First of all, I want you to get in the mood! This YouTube video is a little funny. But not. This is EXACTLY what I heard for, and I am not exaggerating, 2.5 hours from Orlando to Houston. The young girl was two rows away. And by the way - as I have learned, noise canceling headphones can remove the low notes of an airplane engine, but the shrill pitch of a little kid comes through loud and clear…)

Watch this BABY ON A PLANE video. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkPV5En_jI8

Granted - I have not been a parent.

But, due to being an uncle, being close to the children of friends and being around a lot of kids, I take extra time to observe what parents do - and don't do.

As an example. After I wrote the entry below about "parents, learn skills…" - I boarded my second plane. I was flying Continental Airlines instead of my usual United Airlines. As a result, I didn't have the advantage to sit in the first 10 rows of Economy, often reserved for frequent travelers. I realized that this would typically exclude kids, and be mostly frequent business travelers. It was a reality check. And so, sure enough, as I strode down the plane isle to 26F, I looked with horror as I discovered that within the rows of 25, 26 and 27 (my row, and in front and in back of my row), there were 8 kids out of the 18 seats. That is a lot. And in my little sub row of 3 - I was the only "mister" as they kids would eventually call me.

In my row, the father of the two kids, watched carefully his kids sitting next to me. I could tell they he had done the right thing. He and his wife had obviously worked with the three kids to explain how a plane would work. What are the seat belts. They had practiced to know about using the seat belts. About having to stay in their seats. They each had small travel bags, with pre portioned little snacks, ranging from gold fish to M and Ms. They had books. And little games. They had a little ipod with music. And they had been taught how to use all of that stuff. Obviously absent was a lot of liquid. You could even tell they had been "warned" not to drink very much so they would not have to go up and down the isles to the bathroom. These kids were great. The were calm. Patient. Entertained. They were courteous, and offered me little snacks all along the trip.

The little boy, sitting directly in front of me, was very different. He was all over the place. During the flight, he was jumping up and down in his seat. Literally jumping. His father would yell at him. He would stop. And then minutes later, he would jump again. Sometimes, the father didn't even care, until I stood up and motioned to him. Little boys jumping in the seat in front of you, connected to your tray table and your lap top computer is not the same thing. I don't think he had little methods for contenment and distraction. The poor kid was bored, and didn't know what to do. And worse, they father put all of the three kids in one row. Why not go adult / kid / adult? It was like, "You kids sit over in this row and play why Mommy and Daddy rest in this other role."

These kids were between 5 and 10 years old.

The little ones - the screamers - are even worse.

And again, I think there are very specific things my friends, who travel a lot, do with those little ones. How much sleep you make sure they have is a big thing. If they are tired, then it becomes the curse of the plane. They are cranky. And wrestless. But also, the method of parenting you use WILL BE APPARENT on the plane. If the parents let the kids run wild, without guidance and appropriate behavior management at home, the same thing will come out on the plane. It will be amplified.

It was apparent with the screamer on the first plane. This little girl must have been 2 or 3. She screamed the whole time when she didn't get her way. Loud, defiant screams. That behavior does not come suddenly on a plane trip. That little girl had learned at home that screaming equals getting her way. And when many of us looked around to the father (not sure where or if there was a mother around), he just looked at us like, "what do you want me to do?" He was probably correct. His bad parenting skills had already taken place.

Other friends of mine have kids exactly at that age. They use very specific skills of "time out" and of teaching the kids that screaming is not a good thing. When a child screams, they place the child in another room until they calm down. They don't coddle or attend to the tantrums (unless of course the child is hurt or not feeling good). And little by little, the child, developmentally, realize that screaming is not the behavior that will get them what they want.

It was not so for this little girl. She was all over the place - screaming. Crawling around on the floor. Doing everything her way.

And frankly, I would go further to say, that if you have a kid who is out of control, then my honest opinion is that you should not be bringing those kids on trips or vacations anyway. Drive them somewhere if you need to. But instead, perhaps spending more time with your kids at home, teaching them, parenting them, instead of throwing them all in a plane is a better plan.

One friend did explain to me that one of the problems of having babies on a plane is that they don't know how to "pop" their ears from the pressure. And that makes them uncomfortable.

Another friend give their babies small doses of a pain pill to relax and reduce some of this stress. I know that is slightly controversial, but perhaps a good option? If babies or small children really do have this pain, isn't it humane to help them with that pain rather then let them feel really bad?

I am understanding of those little kids. But as they get older, behavior modification comes in to play…

I believe in developmental psychology. Parenting is a huge huge task. I love, admire and appreciate all of my friends and family that do it. I am too selfish to do it. I state that right up front. I would not have the long term patience to make the choice that each of them / you have made. But with the choice, parents have a responsibility to really parent. It is not throw a few seeds in the garden, and then get out of the way and see what happens. Both of my brothers, and most of my friends are wonderful at that. This is why I think I know a difference of what is good and bad parenting. And why I made the comment, "Parents - learn parenting skills." Perhaps I should have said, "Parents - practice parenting skills" or "Parents, talk to my friends and family about better ways of parenting."

Your thoughts?

What am I missing?

Can you understand my perspective as a single business traveler?

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Orlando. Houston. An airport Friday.

Thank heavens for wine bars in airports. In Houston if all places. But
please. No more screaming baby flights like the one just out of
Orlando. (parents. Learn parenting skills!)

In Orlando. At a Greek bar.

Food. Drink. Dance. Sometimes these corporate consulting jobs can be
fun!

Travel day. San Fran to Kansas to be with my parents.

Visiting the local markets in Bogata Colombia

The best way to learn about a culture!

Eating arepa in bogota Colombia

The lady that made it!

In a small dark restaurant

Here in Topeka, the Northstar is a dark tavern like restaurant that in
one of the old tme roadhouses from days gone by. Pan grilled steaks.
Famous fries and gravy. Dark booths just so you can't see just how
dirty the floors are. It was a family target tonight.

In Kansas shopping for pigs ears. Yum.

Not Friday yet. But getting an early start in Orlando.

I like this idea of walking into a bar and being greeted by a large
barrel of peanuts. Discovered here ar a bar in Orlando. Celebrate.

After getting up at 6:3o am (3:30 California time) to be ready for
our 8:00 speech to hundreds, I am taking the afternoon off here in
Orlando Florida before flying home tonight.

We did a good job. I stood on stage for 90 minutes with my partner.
The whole tome I held my ipad and communicated online with my audience.

AT HOME on my dock - reading my last real book?

It's a beautiful day in the Bay Area.
I am about to begin 5 weeks of travel.

And so, I am just sitting on my dock. Reading. I had pre- ordered a
"real" book (be Steig Larsson) prior to getting my IPad. Will this by
my last hard copy book I will read?

I have Sierra Nevada beer and smoked trout for sunset!

What are you doing this great Friday?

Happy weekend!

SAN FRANCISCO - Friday night and the Cookie Lady

It is 7:00. I am walking around the city. And a friend called me and said "It is Friday Night. Get to 22nd and Valencia. The cookie lady is out." Each Friday night - two ladies come out with a cookie cart of gourmet cookies. Well - I looked up, and I was literally across the street from them. And so, I had to get cookies. Including this amazing "sandwich cookie." This is not your normal oreo cookie. This is two short bread cookies, with a jam filling and butter cream frosting. And so, with a cookie in my hand, I then had to go to Ritual Coffee, and have a coffee! I love stumbling into wonderful places in a big city! Sent from my iPad



Sent from my iPhone

Random Train exit Friday

Sometimes it us fun to just pick out a random train stop and get off
and check out the neighborhood. Today is a place called Glen Park.
Eclectic ethnic neighborhood. My late lunch is a killer chile relleno
and carnitas (pork) taco. Very tasty.

Friday night in Lawrence Kansas with youngest nephew Aidan.

Blue ice cream. Banana ice cream. Which would you choose?

Summer is Here!

What better way to celebrate than to eat big chocolate icecream bars,
hand dipped in icecream and tossed heavily in coursely chopped roasted
almonds. Oh baby! It will spoil my dinner of an 8 hour slow roasted
leg of lamb with mint jam. That's ok. I can eat at 10 pm. Because I am
going to play with my newly arrived toy - my new 3G Ipad- just arrived
today! A very happy boy on a Friday!

Pizza afternoon.

It's Friday. Friday in the city. Great weather. Eating gourmet pizza
with my friend Narelle in San Jose. Life is great. Happy Friday

SPRING or OLD BLOSSOMS

I was / felt a bit / under the weather today - literally - and soulfully.  This morning, my neighbor knocked on my door to say goodbye. She and her dog Harry had packed up, and were heading off to Colorado to begin a new personal life. This has been one of those rare neighbors that you actually find interesting - and want to do things with. And oh how convenient. Like some old sitcom out of the 50s, and along with another neighbor, we would assemble at of our houses, and watch the sun set while contemplating on the week that had just come to an end. Or we would be invited to a party, and just seem to want to take the neighbors with us. I am sure people talked - including the other neighbors. Last night had they peered out the window, they would have seen me scooting across the dark from my house to doors down, with a Moroccan tagine in my hand, and disappearing through the gates of a neighbor. And then, at some point around midnight, two of us quietly exited one door, and both went our ways to other front doors in the neighborhood.

I have usually been the one to pack up and go. Others have had to mourn  my departure, knowing our little village of friends had ended and things would never be the same. But this time, it was my neighbor that packed up, and moved to Colorado. She is in a new phase of her life, and was ready to be near family - to start anew - and to go to a place seemed to be calling her. I support her choice and celebrate her boldness.

But it is still sad.

Today, the weather was gray. I didn't feel like going into the city. The lights next door have never been so black.

And then tonight, I came across an ad for Ace Hardware, that somehow, spoke of what I might be feeling. And I wondered if there is secret truth here…

Happy to be at home, chilling, and watching the sun set in my back yard.

It has been a busy week of travel. Out to Washington DC and back. And
today, a busy coaching day with executives at Stanford. But the day is
done. And I am chillig at home. The smoker has ribs on it. Chilled
California wine. A beautiful yellow sunset. And a chance to sleep in
tomorrow, finally, on a Saturday morning. Life at the end of the week
can be good! How about for you?

Blustery New York City

Friday and Saturday here in new York city. Squalling rains destroy
umbrellas instantly. People walking around with their slickers. Heads
down. Trying to stay underground in the subways. Surfacing and getting
soaked. It is a great day to find a restaurant in Chinatown to find
some hot comforting laksa - a coconut curry broth soup with mixed bits
of seafood. The plane take off today is going to be bumpy!

IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA - drinking wine with friends!

This Friday - instead of being in the city - I got the heck out! After a morning of work phone calls, I jumped in my car, and headed three hours south of San Francisco to Central California to Paso, Robles. It is one of the famous wine growing districts in California - and home to some pretty good Zinfandels.

We arrived at about 5:00, only in time for happy hours and dinner. Tomorrow and Sunday, the real wine tasting starts - and we hope to cover at least 10-15 wineries over the long weekend!

Dinner tonight was Italian.

This first pictures does not look appetizing in the photo, but trust me, it was delicious. It is a plate of creamy risotto with fresh shaved french tuffles. Delish.

In this next photo, you can see my friends Karie and Celli answering text messages from their boyfriends. Or something. They are my wine partners for the weekend!

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WORKING IN MY FAVORITE HOME OFFICE

Sent from my iPhoneI am spending the afternoon, working in my favorite home office. This is my
favorite chair, right by a window where I can let sunshine pump up my winter
lack of serotonin and melatonin. I have a much coveted electrical outlet.
And I have access to my own office coffee bar. In fact, I am such a
treasured customer at this home office, they give me free internet and free
refills of coffee after my first cup!

I might actually rather be outside riding my bike or spending the afternoon
walking the coffee shops of San Francisco. But we have a big presentation
coming up on Wednesday, and so I am busy working on slides.

But if you have to be working, what better place. My own schedule. Sitting
in jeans and a sweater. Geeky Bose head phones on listening to Stan Getz on
Pandora. And thinking about what I might do later on a Friday night!

How is your end of the week going?

IN WASHINGTON DC taking a little drive after dinner with one of my best friends.

Hmmm this building looks important. I wonder what company is here.

Thank for the night tour Denise. The last time I was here I was in a
up with people show costume on the fourth of July dancing at the
Washington monument.

Having a great seeking in the DC area!

NEW YORK CITY - trying artisanal cheeses.

Seeing Broadway later on. Supposedly the best musical currently on
Broadway.