On The Fly

In this episode, Bonehead Questions . . . I t’s been said, “There are no stupid questions,” right . . . ? You be the judge. Here’s one, "If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?” My recent retail experience at a Home Improvement Center I've heard more than my share of stupid questions. Admittedly, all those years of teaching, I gave people the benefit of the doubt. Repeatedly, I made it clear that there were no stupid questions . As an educator, you quickly realize the link between information and applied learning is closely tied to questions and one’s self-image. But in these times of “I want it now” and “I’m the victim” that doesn’t seem to apply. Especially when it comes to dealing with the public and really cretinous questions. During my four year retail transition, I was introduced to some really stubborn and ignorant Do-It-Yourself (DIY) folks trying to save a buck that asks really boneheaded questions. You see, implementing a skill requires ...

IBM's Watson For a moment, imagine your mind as a blank slate, an amazing Supercomputer waiting to be programmed. Is it possible to re-write the firmware that is your brains operating system? Is your firmware open source code or a closed system? The social and psychological sciences tend to take the view that Human Beings are 'formed' socially and psychologically by nature as well as by nurture and that there are inherited traits that society can build on and to some extent modify. Early in the seventeenth century, it was statesman-philosopher Francis Bacon who, first strongly established the claims of Empiricism - the reliance on the experience of the senses - over those speculation or deduction in the pursuit of knowledge. John Locke in his Essay Concerning Human Understanding restated the importance of the experience of the senses over speculation and sets out the case that the human mind at birth is a complete, but receptive, blank slate (tabula r...

Yes, it’s me, Adamas Bontemps; gemologist, world traveler, and dedicated student of the art and science of deduction. Peridot and I had returned home from Florence a few weeks earlier. I was back to my early morning activities; chronicling our travels, and practicing guitar. Out the corner of my eye, a FaceTime notification appeared on my computer screen.  I clicked “accept” and an image of that familiar turquoise door materialized, [Incoming video from 1740 Tsavorite Lane ]. It was Peridot. Magically, as the door opened Peridot popped onto my computer screen. He was impeccably dressed; a fine silk vest, and dashing purple necktie. His lean, congenial, smiling face radiating from my screen. Olivine Crystal in Matrix “Bontemps, this blog that you insist on posting has stirred my curiosity, and sentiments of my deceased, loving, wife, Olivine.” “How do you mean?” I asked. “I’m thinking we need some time away from the case, say, a little vacation. Some tim...

Attendance problems, constant complaining, and derogatory comments about fellow co-workers, “You can’t imagine how miserable it is working with these morons.” Did you know the mostly deadly disease on Earth is Hardening of the Attitudes . Admit it, you’ve ca ught yourself sharing the misery of your “difficult co-workers” with other staff members on break, at lunch, before or after work? Zig Ziglar called it stinkin’ thinkin’ - boy was he right on. Thankfully there is a way to change this destructive self-talk. It’s a simple daily process. “Catch someone doing something right.” Yes, you heard me correctly, a simple process, however, let me warn you it’s not easy. This takes a concerted effort on your part to   change your attitude. According to Earl Nightingale; “Our environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations.” What a profound statement. This says to me that the attitude and expectations of my family, friends, an...

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Catchers are squatting, and pitchers reporting - you be of good cheer.  “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Hah, you thought it was Andy Williams singing about Christmas. Nope, for millions of baseball fans Spring Training rings in The National Pastime. A time of renewed hope and fresh starts. The season (for me) officially kicks off Monday, April 3, 2017, 1:15 pm (PST) with the Los Angeles Dodgers battling the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. With 162 games to play, 30 teams step confidently into opening day with renewed hope. Yes, I’m still ecstatic about the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs! Go Cubs go! Ok, I’m a California resident but a die hard Cubs fan at heart. However, the Dodgers have always held a special place in my baseball loyalties. I’ll admit my spring ritual is to begin each season listening to a game on the radio with play-by-play announcer Vince (Vin) Scully broadcasting. This year however, ...

Guitar Center, Sunset Blvd., Hollywood “Your taking guitar lessons at 60?” Absolutely! It’s my way of always learning something new and having some fun in the process. “Haven’t you ever heard the cliche, You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” “Of course, but let me be completely clear,” Education is not a bag of tricks and humans are not dogs. Some resemble their  ole’ dog, anyway . . .  For years I heard that platitude from students who would use it as excuse for not being able to successfully learn a new skill to their satisfaction or expectation . Agreed, learning a new skill is challenging. Let’s be honest, it’s downright hard. We tend to get entrenched in our comfortable ruts. Think back a minute. Remember what it was like to learn to ride a bicycle? It was exhilarating! Well, maybe not at first. Did you have training wheels? I’m sorry. What happened when your Dad removed those training wheels. I’ll bet you fell - over and over again. But with...

Twas’ the week before Christmas, with bargains galore. Customers were scurrying, expecting to score, Christmas trees, combo kits, and holiday yard decor. Little did they know, the most fun they would have, was to visit Tool Rental to Pressure Wash their Cat ® . We start the morning with Penske my friend, Vince pounding the keyboard, it has no end. The website is finicky, let's not pretend. Then the doorbell rings, oh what a racket, a contractor hollers, “Get me an Auger . . . and that dump trailer too.” A line starts to form, patience is nill’. “I want a jackhammer, that suits the bill. Rent me a Hilti. Serve me first, or I'll do more than blabber. Your VOC score will fall off the ladder.” Bob sneaks in and checks the repairs. Get them done early, and no angry errors. With Jeff and Ricky all dressed in red, Joe customer enters with a cap on his head. “I have a repair,” the customer said. “It's Christmas lights, all green and in red. They don...

“Twas Christmas-Eve day," and all through our house, The kitties were stirring, in search of a mouse. With Missy on guard, and Junior prowling ‘round. We were watching TV, not making a sound.   The stockings were hung on the mantel with care, In hopes that Junior would not go on a tear. Filled with ornaments and lights, to brighten the season, The house was all warmed . . . 'gainst the cold was the reason. Mother was nestled all snug her chair, While the TV was blaring with holiday fares. Me in my sweater, with Junior in lap, Had just settled in for an afternoon nap. Sunlight caressed the freshly mown lawn, Gave warmth to the day, as dog-walkers trudged on. Then the doorbell rang, there arose such a clatter, Junior sprang from my lap to see what was the matter. Away to the window, he flew like a flash, Tore open my leg, while Missy chewed on the sash. When what to my drowsy eyes should appear, But gift-bearing neighbors, w...