1. Visiting Mom to celebrate her birthday was a great thing to do.
2. The officer along the side of I-81 in Dunmore, PA on Friday told me that he sees accidents all of the time and as long as the people are OK, the reason we have insurance is to take care of repairing the cars to not get to worried about the damage to the vehicle.
3. Quote from my sister Pennie:"Why do I feel like I'm 10 years old when I go home?"
4. Another quote form my sister Pennie on attending Church yesterday: "When we walked into the church we attended as kids, I felt 16, then after a few introductions, I felt like I was 10, and before long, I felt like I was 5 years old sitting in the pew kicking my legs."
5. I had a weird feeling as we drove by the scene of our Friday accident on our return trip to Baltimore yesterday. Just seeing the spot and knowing what transpired there.
6. After a brief respite for a few beautiful hours yesterday, the rain has returned.
7. It is good to be home after a trip, no matter how short.
8. Did you read that the TSA in Denver stopped Chewbacca? I've had trouble getting through Denver security and now I know why.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, June 10, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Whose Vehicle is That?
It is weird getting up in the morning and looking out the window of the house seeing a foreign vehicle in the driveway, this one with Kentucky plates on it, and realize it is the one that I am expected to drive. It is the aftermath of the accident which has resulted in the Lexus being stored at a salvage yard until the adjusters show up to determine its fate.
With the Lexus gone, there is a temporary replacement in my "stable." I don't particularly like it, but it is functional and temporary.
Chris and I are in that I between mode. Will the Lexus be total loss? Will we receive a worthy settlement? What type of vehicle can ever possibly replace such a versatile and well built vehicle? So many questions.
I've been looking at the brightly colored Jeeps on the road, but even the venerable and solidly built Jeeps are not a worthy Lexus SUV replacement. Still, there may be a two-for-one trade in the future. Time will tell.
Until then, there is a strange vehicle in my driveway, and it is the one I'm driving.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY
With the Lexus gone, there is a temporary replacement in my "stable." I don't particularly like it, but it is functional and temporary.
Chris and I are in that I between mode. Will the Lexus be total loss? Will we receive a worthy settlement? What type of vehicle can ever possibly replace such a versatile and well built vehicle? So many questions.
I've been looking at the brightly colored Jeeps on the road, but even the venerable and solidly built Jeeps are not a worthy Lexus SUV replacement. Still, there may be a two-for-one trade in the future. Time will tell.
Until then, there is a strange vehicle in my driveway, and it is the one I'm driving.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Heroes in Unexpected Places
What a day Friday was. That is a bit of an understatement because after picking one of my sisters up from the airport in Baltimore, we headed off to upstate NY to celebrate Mom's birthday.
The day was rainy as Tropical Storm Andrea made her presence known. The roads were wet and traffic was moving, but most drivers were wary of the ever changing road conditions.
About three and a half hours into the trip, Chris was driving on a wet road north of Scranton, PA on interstate 81 in the town of Dunmore, everything changed and a near catastrophe became an example of heroes among us in many places.
A red Grand Cherokee probably lost traction and hydroplaned into the passenger rear door of our Lexus which made, after two separate impacts, both vehicles swing around 180 degrees in the road and across two lanes of traffic to come to rest along the barrier on the other side of the road. The third impact was with the barrier and wrecked the front of the Lexus.
After determining that everyone was generally unharmed, except for some glass cut due to the window in the damaged passenger door disintegrating and sore shoulders due to seat belts, our trip was in momentary chaos. Then the heroes arrived on the scene in the form of the Pennsylvania state police, the Dunmore fire department, and De Naples auto parts and tow truck. As we were overcoming the shock of the accident, these professionals took care of our needs and even transported us to the fire station and the car rental agency to help us clean up and recover and allow our trip to continue.
The accident could have been horrible, with two vehicles doing a 180 degree slide and crossing two lanes of a rush hour busy interstate, but it wasn't. I was the first to the damage to the Lexus, which is severe. Chris and my sisters, Pennie and Kay, were trapped in the car until the fire department arrived and assessed the scene. The driver side of the vehicle came to rest with the back tire on the retaining wall, but sustaining no damage. After checking it the vehicle they asked Chris if she could start the car and pull it forward, which amazingly enough she was able to do. At that point as they got out and the ambulance arrived, they could see the extensive damage compared to the minor ding on the Jeep. But, I have to write, even though the passenger door is clearly crushed, except for the broken glass the damage is not obvious from the interior. Great design!
The care and comfort we received from the heroes of Dunmore was awesome. They were instrumental in making a serious accident less traumatic. They were thoughtful and caring to the point of helping us empty our loved Lexus of all of our personal belongings back at the Hose Company in case the last time we see our SUV is when it was driving away on the back of the tow vehicle.
Although the damage doesn't seem so catastrophic, we have been assured that the vehicle will likely be totaled. Sadly.
Our families were awesome in the adversity as well. Everyone offered to come help--some from even 14 hours driving time away. The concern from all of them was genuine and appreciated.
And so, after a two hour delay in our day, we were on the road again in a rental provided by my insurance company, but with fond memories of Dunmore, PA, and the professionals that represent the town.
Thanks guys!
-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY
The day was rainy as Tropical Storm Andrea made her presence known. The roads were wet and traffic was moving, but most drivers were wary of the ever changing road conditions.
About three and a half hours into the trip, Chris was driving on a wet road north of Scranton, PA on interstate 81 in the town of Dunmore, everything changed and a near catastrophe became an example of heroes among us in many places.
A red Grand Cherokee probably lost traction and hydroplaned into the passenger rear door of our Lexus which made, after two separate impacts, both vehicles swing around 180 degrees in the road and across two lanes of traffic to come to rest along the barrier on the other side of the road. The third impact was with the barrier and wrecked the front of the Lexus.
After determining that everyone was generally unharmed, except for some glass cut due to the window in the damaged passenger door disintegrating and sore shoulders due to seat belts, our trip was in momentary chaos. Then the heroes arrived on the scene in the form of the Pennsylvania state police, the Dunmore fire department, and De Naples auto parts and tow truck. As we were overcoming the shock of the accident, these professionals took care of our needs and even transported us to the fire station and the car rental agency to help us clean up and recover and allow our trip to continue.
The accident could have been horrible, with two vehicles doing a 180 degree slide and crossing two lanes of a rush hour busy interstate, but it wasn't. I was the first to the damage to the Lexus, which is severe. Chris and my sisters, Pennie and Kay, were trapped in the car until the fire department arrived and assessed the scene. The driver side of the vehicle came to rest with the back tire on the retaining wall, but sustaining no damage. After checking it the vehicle they asked Chris if she could start the car and pull it forward, which amazingly enough she was able to do. At that point as they got out and the ambulance arrived, they could see the extensive damage compared to the minor ding on the Jeep. But, I have to write, even though the passenger door is clearly crushed, except for the broken glass the damage is not obvious from the interior. Great design!
The care and comfort we received from the heroes of Dunmore was awesome. They were instrumental in making a serious accident less traumatic. They were thoughtful and caring to the point of helping us empty our loved Lexus of all of our personal belongings back at the Hose Company in case the last time we see our SUV is when it was driving away on the back of the tow vehicle.
Although the damage doesn't seem so catastrophic, we have been assured that the vehicle will likely be totaled. Sadly.
Our families were awesome in the adversity as well. Everyone offered to come help--some from even 14 hours driving time away. The concern from all of them was genuine and appreciated.
And so, after a two hour delay in our day, we were on the road again in a rental provided by my insurance company, but with fond memories of Dunmore, PA, and the professionals that represent the town.
Thanks guys!
-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY
Friday, June 7, 2013
Here Comes the Rain, Again!
Tropical storms, rain, wind, mess, and chilly. That is the forecast.
Ugh! When will the heat begin?
But, as I was walking out of the club after racquetball this morning I noticed the smell of the rain and the cleansed earth in the air. So, even though it is raining, and I love rain, there are some positives--providing that the rain eventually gives way to summer.
But the rain is overwatering the plants in the pots outside--much like frosts at the beginning or ending of the season, the potted plants need to come in out of the rain!
So much rain and so little time.
At least everything is green right now and fully prepared for the summer. And, I have heard that we have been spared the plague of the cicadas.
So with the rain giving way to the need to mow the lawn and the continued greening of the landscape, it is not all bad--just depressing. The gray skies get me a bit down though.
But, hey, the weekend is almost here! There is a bright thought.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Ugh! When will the heat begin?
But, as I was walking out of the club after racquetball this morning I noticed the smell of the rain and the cleansed earth in the air. So, even though it is raining, and I love rain, there are some positives--providing that the rain eventually gives way to summer.
But the rain is overwatering the plants in the pots outside--much like frosts at the beginning or ending of the season, the potted plants need to come in out of the rain!
So much rain and so little time.
At least everything is green right now and fully prepared for the summer. And, I have heard that we have been spared the plague of the cicadas.
So with the rain giving way to the need to mow the lawn and the continued greening of the landscape, it is not all bad--just depressing. The gray skies get me a bit down though.
But, hey, the weekend is almost here! There is a bright thought.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Internet Hoaxes and Bad Information
I am amazed how often I receive chain email and other notices that contain bad and untrue information.
We need to be more careful about what we forward and be careful to check sources before sending bad information along.
Sending along erroneous information without checking it out wastes a lot of time. And can have bad consequences. It also makes anything sent by the sender, suspect factually.
The latest on I received was about the Facebook Graph App. Sadly, although the hoax sounds authentic, the facts are materially different from reality--and reality is well documented. It is a hoax.
The really funny part about this hoax is that it makes the reader believe that it is possible to post data on the internet and keep it private.
The most important rule of the internet--anything you post will eventually be read by anyone and everyone who wants to read it. If you think there is any privacy, you are woefully uninformed. If you want privacy--unplug your computer.
Watch the hoaxes, minimize the bad info--and realize, privacy is a facade on the internet and we'll all be happier.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
We need to be more careful about what we forward and be careful to check sources before sending bad information along.
Sending along erroneous information without checking it out wastes a lot of time. And can have bad consequences. It also makes anything sent by the sender, suspect factually.
The latest on I received was about the Facebook Graph App. Sadly, although the hoax sounds authentic, the facts are materially different from reality--and reality is well documented. It is a hoax.
The really funny part about this hoax is that it makes the reader believe that it is possible to post data on the internet and keep it private.
The most important rule of the internet--anything you post will eventually be read by anyone and everyone who wants to read it. If you think there is any privacy, you are woefully uninformed. If you want privacy--unplug your computer.
Watch the hoaxes, minimize the bad info--and realize, privacy is a facade on the internet and we'll all be happier.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Social Engineering, the Military and Leadership
Over the past 70 or so years, the military has been used as a social engineering prototype for society.
Look at the success of the integration of the races within the military--from segregated units at the beginning of WW2 to shortly thereafter fully integrated units. There is a case to be made that the great baseball player, number 42, Jackie Robinson or the Syracuse running back Ernie Davis could never have been successful in crossing the color barrier without the social engineering which preceded them in the military.
I have been reading about the recent spate of sexual misconduct problems in the military, and frankly, I am mystified. Women and men have been working together in the military for decades. I know, I have personal experience working for and with women. I can categorically state that it works. Just like the integration of races, the integration of genders is a military decades long pioneered success story.
So what is different now that all of these incidents are being reported?
In my mind it is leadership. Or the lack of leadership from the lowest to the highest levels.
We live in a risk averse society and the military is beginning to adopt a risk averse mentality. This is a recipe for failure. The military, by design, is a high risk environment. Where else is the reward for doing you duty faithfully possibly death?
The current crop of military leadership has grown up in an environment of microscopic oversight which leads to legal entanglements and a stifling of initiative which results in management rather than leadership. And it results in rules and laws replacing the demand for common sense and good judgement.
The loss of judgement by leaders is what is behind the problems currently being experienced by our military.
We need, our military needs a new crop of leaders who can make decisions without having to consult lawyers before making a decision.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Look at the success of the integration of the races within the military--from segregated units at the beginning of WW2 to shortly thereafter fully integrated units. There is a case to be made that the great baseball player, number 42, Jackie Robinson or the Syracuse running back Ernie Davis could never have been successful in crossing the color barrier without the social engineering which preceded them in the military.
I have been reading about the recent spate of sexual misconduct problems in the military, and frankly, I am mystified. Women and men have been working together in the military for decades. I know, I have personal experience working for and with women. I can categorically state that it works. Just like the integration of races, the integration of genders is a military decades long pioneered success story.
So what is different now that all of these incidents are being reported?
In my mind it is leadership. Or the lack of leadership from the lowest to the highest levels.
We live in a risk averse society and the military is beginning to adopt a risk averse mentality. This is a recipe for failure. The military, by design, is a high risk environment. Where else is the reward for doing you duty faithfully possibly death?
The current crop of military leadership has grown up in an environment of microscopic oversight which leads to legal entanglements and a stifling of initiative which results in management rather than leadership. And it results in rules and laws replacing the demand for common sense and good judgement.
The loss of judgement by leaders is what is behind the problems currently being experienced by our military.
We need, our military needs a new crop of leaders who can make decisions without having to consult lawyers before making a decision.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
From the Cold Beach to the Hot Playing Field
 |
| Ethan is Number 24 |
On Sunday, Ethan's lacrosse team participated in a season ending tournament. His team played three shortened games during a five hour span. The temperatures were in the low 90's, the sky was clear and blue, and the sun was hot. It was truly the beginning of summer.
The week before Ethan and the rest of our family had been at the beach where the temperatures barely climbed into the 60's and the sun's warmth was only making beach time just bearable.
Lacrosse is a great sport--as are most sports. The game teaches teamwork, position play, rules, and most of all it helps develop work ethic. Work hard to develop skills and success will follow. While winning is important--it is not the most important part of the game. Sportsmanship is key.
This week, "E" wore orange socks to help us find him on the field of play. Sometimes during the long season it was difficult to determine where he was on the field and the numbers, although clear in the image, are not so clear in real time. Orange socks really helped. On the field of play, Ethan made more than a few good stick checks while playing defense and he avoided being penalized for the usual stuff, pushing and slashing.
But, it was hot! Really hot. Almost stifling hot.
It was awesome just a week after suffering in the cold on the beach we were sweltering in the heat on the playing field.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, June 3, 2013
Monday Musings - June 3, 2013
1. Unbelievably, it is June already.
2. My worst day of the week is Thursday and I was just told by someone that for the next two weeks, every day is Thursday.
3. Yesterday the temperature dropped 21 degrees in about an hour as the thunderstorms arrived.
4. Sunday afternoon, in the pool, listening to the Orioles comeback win over the Tigers--what could be better?
5. Lawns mowed, gardens weeded, projects done for the week and now it is time to start all over again.
6. 90 plus degree days really make summertime a reality.
7. Some of my family just returned from a cruise. It sounds like a lot of fun. I believe there may be a cruise in my future.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. My worst day of the week is Thursday and I was just told by someone that for the next two weeks, every day is Thursday.
3. Yesterday the temperature dropped 21 degrees in about an hour as the thunderstorms arrived.
4. Sunday afternoon, in the pool, listening to the Orioles comeback win over the Tigers--what could be better?
5. Lawns mowed, gardens weeded, projects done for the week and now it is time to start all over again.
6. 90 plus degree days really make summertime a reality.
7. Some of my family just returned from a cruise. It sounds like a lot of fun. I believe there may be a cruise in my future.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, June 2, 2013
June Arrives and With it Summer
While I was basking in the sun, I realized that despite all of the warnings about sun exposure leading to skin cancer that I am a sun worshipper of sorts. It felt great to be warm in the sun.
The trees and ornamental grasses around the pool have created a private haven carved out from the middle of suburbia.
Everyone needs a refuge from the hectic pace of life. My pool is mine.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Technocrat Leadership
I have been considering the impact of email versus the personal interaction in a technology enabled world leadership environment.
I still remember those times not so long ago when typing a letter or a note was a major production, yet now notes in the form of email are sent almost without thinking. And that can be a problem.
Leading organizations and teams requires adapting to the workers and the work environment. It is too easy for leaders to lose the personal touch and by default become managers rather than leaders. Leading through email ins not always the best option.
There are environments where that is the best option--like leading software writers and computer forensics personnel who are inherently introverts and are all about the technology and not human contact. I suppose if I walked up to them and started a conversation they would be terrified and upset about being distracted for solving the deepest secrets of the project they are engaged in.
But, there remain those work environments which require human touch. Where management by email is definitely the wrong approach. Some people need the personal touch. What I have noticed is that email questions receive email answers and that often is the incomplete message. Having a face to face discussion and getting the full sense of both the question and the answer is far more efficient than a series of emails each providing a chained iteration and expansion on the previous but never really answering the question.
Additionally, some items should never be placed into email--especially private and personnel related matters. Email never goes away. Once written, the writer should expect that the email will always be out there somewhere.
Leading in a technology enabled world requires being able to distinguish between when hiding behind the technology is the right approach and when the personal touch is required. Especially in an analytic environment--the personal touch is best. People who collaborate regularly seem to respond better to engaged and personal leadership.
Leaders must know their people to determine the best style and approach.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I still remember those times not so long ago when typing a letter or a note was a major production, yet now notes in the form of email are sent almost without thinking. And that can be a problem.
Leading organizations and teams requires adapting to the workers and the work environment. It is too easy for leaders to lose the personal touch and by default become managers rather than leaders. Leading through email ins not always the best option.
There are environments where that is the best option--like leading software writers and computer forensics personnel who are inherently introverts and are all about the technology and not human contact. I suppose if I walked up to them and started a conversation they would be terrified and upset about being distracted for solving the deepest secrets of the project they are engaged in.
But, there remain those work environments which require human touch. Where management by email is definitely the wrong approach. Some people need the personal touch. What I have noticed is that email questions receive email answers and that often is the incomplete message. Having a face to face discussion and getting the full sense of both the question and the answer is far more efficient than a series of emails each providing a chained iteration and expansion on the previous but never really answering the question.
Additionally, some items should never be placed into email--especially private and personnel related matters. Email never goes away. Once written, the writer should expect that the email will always be out there somewhere.
Leading in a technology enabled world requires being able to distinguish between when hiding behind the technology is the right approach and when the personal touch is required. Especially in an analytic environment--the personal touch is best. People who collaborate regularly seem to respond better to engaged and personal leadership.
Leaders must know their people to determine the best style and approach.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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