Gift to Iraq

A lodge in NY is about to build the first Masonic Lodge in Iraq. It will be just outside Saddam's home town.


http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20050621/1018661.asp

Marketing - MUST READ

A friend of mine posted an incredibly insightful entry on marketing on his blog. Check it out.

http://davemorin.com/blog/

On fate...

Today, I intended to travel to Columbus, OH to personally thank the supporters and staff of the Columbus Foundation who have been especially generous in supporting my academic journey. About 20 miles into my 5 hour trip, I stopped for lunch. When I went back to my car, it was stone. cold. dead.

So I go to Wally-World (read Wal*Mart), picked up a battery, and taught myself to install it. By the time I stop tinkering with things, I had passed the point-of-no return time. It takes 4-5 hours to travel to Columbus (plus a time change) So I make some phone calls and I get out of the event (regretfully). For some reason I am inspired to go back to Bloomington and donate blood at the Red Cross. I am a fairly regular donor, so it was no big deal. However, something made me go donate that blood today. Having my car break down on this day and giving me the opportunity to save a life had to be part of some master cosmic design. I am a big believer of "Everything happens for a reason". I will never know who my blood went to, but I am just happy that I am able to help.

Silver Tongues and Big Bucks

There are a few people in this world whom I admire from afar. Usually these are corporate CEOs, and big time athletes who use their influence and money for the common good. However, there is one man who has been capturing my attention for a few years now, and never ceases to impress me (which is a very difficult thing to do).

Steve Jobs is the CEO of Apple Computer, and Pixar Studios. I could spend my time here doing the same kind of Mac worship that my friends hear all the time, but I admire this man for another reason. He is a technologist who is actually concerned with the future of the user experience. Heck, it was Apple that introduced the world to the mouse. Can we even imagine using a computer without graphical displays and mice?

I have seen a trend from him that can be described very simply. He constantly pushes the high-end of technology by making today's high-end into tomorrow's common program. Let's walk through this, shall we? Here is a list of common things that were once exclusive to the high-end.

Computers, graphical interfaces (rather than text only), productivity software, digital pictures digital music, digital video, Wireless Internet (802.11b/g), Bluetooth, CD burners, DVD burners, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, Unix, file synchronization, LCD displays, instant file searching....the list goes on.

I admire him because he is not afraid to make new things into standards, to constantly raise the bar in terms of quality and cool. The most accurate description I have found of this man is "The Silver Tongued King of Apple". Everyone that I have talked to says that he is just as motivating and inspiring in person as he is on stage. Now THAT is a man I want to work for. That is a man worth admiring.

busy busy

This has definitely been a summer of busywork. Not too much to comment on...really exciting..I know.

I promise I will come up with some interesting new content in the near future.

Here is a poem that my dad sent to me. It made me a bit misty-eyed.

THE MASONIC RING
Those men who help my dad each day, They wear those mason rings.
A Square and Compass set in gold, The praise of which I sing.
My dad, he hurt his back you know, One cold and wintry day.
He slipped and fell upon the ice, The insurance would not pay.
And since that time those rings I see, On hands that help us much.
With mowing lawns and hauling trash, Each day my heart they touch.
They even built a house for me, Amid our backyard tree.
Where all the neighbor kids, Would play with laughter full of glee.
My Mom she cried from happiness, The time the Masons came.
To aid our family in distress, Without a thought of gain.
And when I'm big, just like my dad, Of this it must be told.
I want to wear a ring like his, A Square and Compass gold.
Long years have passed since when My dad was in that plaster cast.
And since I swore that Solemn Oath, Which unites us to the last.
But more than that I'm proud to say, I wear his Mason ring.
The one dad wore for many years, Until his death this spring.
And one last time his comrades came, To aid my weeping mother.
They praised and bid a fond farewell, To our fallen Brother.
And after which MY son did ask, About their Aprons white.
And of the rings upon their hands. Of gold so shiny bright.
With tearful eyes I said with pride, They're men of spirit pure.
Those men who wear those Mason rings, Of that you can be sure.
And before he went to bed that night, The family he foretold.
Someday I'll wear a ring like dad's, A Square and Compass gold.

Bro. Michael A. Srampe