Thought of the Week: Happy New Year

Every once in a while, get off the merry-go-round and ask yourself these questions:

·          What are we doing?

·          What should we be doing?
·          What should we be doing next?
·          What should we not be doing?

                                    - Communication Briefings

                                    - Adapted from 'From 36,000 feet'

Thought of the Week: December 21, 2013 - Merry Christmas

“Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.”

~ Calvin Coolidge (Presidential message - 1927)

Thought of the Week: December 15, 2013

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The word repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ("Christmas Bells")

Thought of the Week: December 8, 2013

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love."

~Ada V. Hendricks

Thought of the Week: December 1, 2013

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

~ William Arthur Ward

Thought of the Week: November 24, 2013 - Happy Thanksgiving

“There is no better opportunity to receive more than to be thankful for what you already have. Thanksgiving opens the windows of opportunity for ideas to flow your way.”

~Jim Rohn

Thought of the Week: November 16, 2013

“The only ones who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

~ Albert Schweitzer

Thought of the Week: November 9, 2013

“Sometimes walking away has nothing do with weakness, and everything to do with strength. We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we finally realize our own.”

~ Robert Tew

Thought of the Week: November 3, 2013

“Do more than you are paid for. There are never any traffic jams on the extra mile.”

~ Brian Tracy

Thought of the Week: October 27, 2013

“Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge.  It's the sure-footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life.”

~ Ann Landers

Thought of the Week: October 20, 2013

"Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you can't be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people."

~ Lee Iacocca

Thought of the Week: October 13, 2013

“The most important decision about your goals is not what you’re willing to do to achieve them, but what you are willing to give up.”

                                                ~ Dave Ramsey

Happy Customer Service Week

Thought of the Week: September 28, 2013

"Excellence demands competition. Without a race there can be no champion, no records broken, no excellence -- in education or in any other walk of life."

                                                ~ Ronald Reagan

Thought of the Week: September 21, 2013

“To respond is positive, to react is negative.”     ~ Zig Ziglar

Thought of the Week: September 16, 2013

“When we listen with the intent to understand others, rather than with the intent to reply, we begin true communication and relationship building. Opportunities to then speak openly and to be understood come much more naturally and easily.”     ~Stephen Covey

Thought of the Week: September 9, 2013

“It is a good investment to spend resources to retain existing customers. Your best customer is your current customer.”          ~ David Cottrell

Dining with David: Molly's Anniversary Cooking

Molly’s Anniversary Cooking  – September 6/7, 2013

As my bride and I headed into our Anniversary weekend (and childless for first part), my wife of 25 years wanted to cook something special for me.  Our Friday night started off planned as a movie night.  What else goes great with a movie at home but a great pizza.  My special bride fixes me the ‘Molly Meatza’.  This is a fresh crust pizza she rolls out on the baking stone and cooks just right before topping.  Then on comes the best part.  She tops with gourmet pepperoni that she has quickly cooked (to reduce grease), fresh fried crumbled bacon, ham and coated with fresh cheese.  I love it when you get some small bubbles in the fresh crust and this did not disappoint.  Sitting there watching our Friday night movie together (and eating great pizza) was a great start to our weekend.

As we woke up this morning to our special day, my bride wanted to cook me breakfast; who am I to disappoint.  She whips up some fluffy Belgium waffles stuffed with fresh blueberries.  I then top with more blueberries, blueberry syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  The cooked blueberries within the crunchy outside, soft inside waffle was just right.  Then add the additional blueberries, syrup and a light dusting of sugar to offset the tart berries.  Only thing to make this better was the additional bacon she fried up.  Wow, how lucky I am to be married for 25 years to this special lady.

Dining with David: Hot and Hot Fish Club (25th Anniversary Dinner)

Hot and Hot Fish Club – Birmingham, AL – September 7, 2013
www.hotandhotfishclub.com

I have been trying for years to get my wife to take me to Hot and Hot.  Finally, on our 25^th Anniversary (yes, we have been married that long), she finally takes me.  I had high hopes for Chief Hastings and all of his awards (including James Beard ).   We start out with reservations out on the patio.  It was a nice night, not hot but certainly not cold.  It started a little rough as no service but they made up for it and it was a perfect evening (how could it not be with my beautiful bride).

They start us off with some hot and fresh bread; the cheese roll was my favorite.  Then out comes a special treat to get the pallet going, a small cracker with a sweated pear & grilled onions on top.  Not something I would order but was very, very good.  They also bring out their famous Hot and Hot Tomato Salad for us.  This was some very tasty tomato slices with corn, field peas, okra and topped with smoked bacon.  I will have to say this was one tasty and light salad.  Our appetizer of Hot and Hot Okra then arrived.  Now, okra is a favorite of mine and this was the best I have ever had.  Large, nice cuts of fresh okra, battered in buttermilk and flash fried.  You got the crunchy outside and the soft (but cooked) inside.  Wow, these were wonderful (had to get more limes for my water to wash all the okra down).

Our main courses finally arrived.  Molly got the black Grouper.  It was a nice cut of fish very lightly seasoned and cooked with tomato salad and avocado.   It was very good but not the best she has ever had.  I on the other hand ordered their special ‘Chicken Fried Steak’.  Now this is not what you think.  It was a very nice cut of Wagyu beef sirloin that was hickory grilled and a very nice sauce and then the special; crispy  chicken skins layered between each slice of meat.  Now, my favorite part of fried chicken is that nice crusty part of skin with just a hint of meat.  These skins were nicely cut and flash fried with a wonderful crunchy taste that really offset the sirloin.  Normally, I want a good piece of bread to go with my steak, but not here.  Why would you need bread when you have chicken skins?  The meal also had a tomato salad, fresh potatoes and some buttermilk gravy.

At this point we are just about stuffed but said yes to dessert anyway.  We went light and got their famous Hot and Hot Doughnuts.  These were three round, fried goodness of dough with a nice mixture of local Red Mountain honey and chamomile.  Not to be outdone, there was also a milk brulee slice and a scoop of honey gelato with honey bits.

Of all the places I have been, none have lived up to the true freshness, light tasting, and just overall great use of basic food turned into an explosion within your mouth.  With my bride there of 25 years, nothing was better.

Rating: 10

Thought of the Week: September 1, 2013

“Enthusiasm is the element of success in everything.  It is the light that leads and the strength that lifts people on and up in the great struggles of scientific pursuits and of professional labor.  It robs endurance of difficulty, and makes pleasure of duty.”

                                             ~ Bishop Doane

Thought of the Week: August 25, 2013

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.”      ~ Laurence Sterne

Thought of the Week: August 18, 2013

“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.”

~ Arnold Glasgow

Thought of the Week: August 12, 2013

“We need to teach the next generation of children from day one that they are responsible for their lives. Mankind's greatest gift, also its greatest curse, is that we have free choice. We can make our choices built from love or from fear.”

~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Thought of the Week: August 4, 2013

“ABILITY is what you're capable of doing.
MOTIVATION determines what you do.
ATTITUDE determines how well you do it.”
                     ~ Lou Holtz

Thought of the Week: July 29, 2013

"I'm not looking for the best players, I'm looking for the right players"
                                    ~ Herb Brooks (USA Olympic Coach)

Dining with David: Beavertails

Beavertails – Banff, AB – July 26, 2013
www.beavertailsinc.com
Right in the middle of downtown Banff on Banff Avenue is the perfect little snack place.  This is not your normal pastry place, this is a special, unbelievable special desert shop that also serves ice cream and yogurt.  Their namesake item is a whole-wheat (healthy!) pastry that is made fresh right in front of you.  They hand-stretch the pastry, cook it in piping oil (floating) and then topped with butter.  Now the decision comes; what do you want to put on it.  I got the special #8, hot chocolate hazelnut spread topped with a fresh-cut banana, then sprinkled with powdered sugar.
The taste is like nothing you have had.  It is not sweet like a pastry, it has a unique taste and the chocolate hazelnut with banana was wonderful.  It even seem to have a slight hint of salt that just made the other flavors pop.  A must try place if in Canada.
Rating: 10

Dining with David: Bear Street Tavern

The Bear Street Tavern – Banff, AB – July 26, 2013
www.bearstreettavern.ca
Looking for a good, local place to catch an early dinner, I was referred to a little Tavern in the middle of Bear Street, one block off of Banff Avenue.  I was lucky to get a table outside, nice courtyard in the back, where it was quiet and peaceful.  I ordered their famous pizza, the Margarita.  This was your typical Margarita with fresh tomatoes, basil and then has sauce and a nice coating of mozzarella.  Now, it gets different with a wonderful fresh crust and baked in high-temp pizza oven.  But that’s not it; they go funky and give you a special red pepper oil and then honey to drip on your pizza.  I was not sold, but certainly willing to give it a try.  I drip a little pepper oil and then honey on a slice, wow, what a difference that makes in the taste of the pizza.  They have a winner.  Great atmosphere, great pizza and great niche.
Rating: 9.5

Travels with David: Banff National Park

Banff Gondola – Banff, AB – July 26, 2013
www.explorerockies.com/banff-gondola/
After working and getting a half day to play, I headed out of Calgary toward Banff National Park.  It is a little drive across the Trans-Canada Hwy.   The drive itself, once outside of Calgary, is beautiful.  I didn’t have a lot to time so I had to quickly pick one item to do.  I decided to go to Banff and go up Sulphur Mountain on the gondola.  This is a nice, long ride up the mountain, peaking over 7500 ft.   Once at top, the views are spectacular.  I decided to go ahead and walk the just over .7 mile walk up (up as in platform and steps; at over 7500 ft.) to the Cosmic Ray Station.   The views of Banff, the Fairmont and the rivers/lakes along with the mountains are indescribable.  Who can say God is not great and does not have a plan?  Majestic lands like this can only be created by the One Creator.
Molly & I have been to Lake Louise several years ago but had not been down to Banff.  I can say this is one beautiful country and a nice little city.  If ever up in Calgary, need to find a few days to visit Banff National Park.

Dining with David: The Whale’s Tale

The Whale’s Tale – White Rock, BC – July 21, 2013

After a long day and getting into my new hotel, I wanted something good and easy for dinner.  It was suggested I head down Marine Drive and hit one of the fish and chips places.  Inside recommendation said there was one that uses a special dry-fry instead of deep-fry; sounds good.

I head about 5 minutes away and realize it was a beach strip; on Pacific coast, inside passage on the Strait of Georgia.  Along stretch of two-lane road with an East & West side shops of food and ice cream, the ocean was just across the road.  Needless to say on Sunday afternoon it was very crowded; I ended up parking a 15 min walk away.

The restaurant is a small, limited table place with two tables outside.  I order and take one of the outside tables to enjoy the view and people watch.  My food comes out after about 10 minutes and I am thrilled.  I ordered their halibut and chips.  The halibut was thinly crusted with very rich, white meat.  The dry-fry did not leave it oily nor greasy; it was an excellent piece of fish.  I am not sure it was the special dry-fry or the fact that the fish is a higher grade cut and fresh; fresh just always tastes much better.  The chips (French fries) were dry-fried with a rich, crusty outside and soft inside.  I squeezed a little bit of lemon on the fish and fries and wow, what a meal. 

I love a good fish and chips but always hated the greasy part.  Now, I have found a place that has fresh, high-grade fish with a healthy touch (yes, even I like good-for-you ever now and then).

Rating: 9.0

Thought of the Week: July 20, 2013

“A man is known by the company he keeps, and also by the company from which he is kept out.”

~Grover Cleveland

Thought of the Week: July 13, 2013

“My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy;
you don't make them because they are cheap;
you don't make them because they're popular;
you make them because they're right.”

~ Theodore Hesburgh

Thought of the Week: July 7, 2013

“Is it Helpful, Hopeful, and promote Healing?  If not, then don’t say it.”
                                ~ Dave Foster

Thought of the Day: Happy 4th of July

When the people fear the government there is tyranny,
when the government fears the people there is liberty.
~ Thomas Jefferson

Thought of the Week: June 30, 2013

“Many of us have road maps we envision for the course we think our lives should take. It's important to get headed in the right direction, but don't get so caught up in the concerns over your destination that you forget to delight in the scenery of each new day. Remember that some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way.”     ~ Douglas Pagels

Thought of the Week: June 22, 2013

“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is "timing;" it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way."

~ Fulton J. Sheen

Thought of the Week: Happy Father's Day

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person; he believed in me.”

~ Jim Valvano

Thought of the Week: June 8, 2013

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thought of the Week: June 1, 2013

"Price is what you pay.   Value is what you get."

~ Warren Buffet

Thought of the Week: May 25, 2013 - Memorial Day

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”           ~ George S. Patton

Thought of the Week: May 18, 2013 - Shelby's Wedding Day

“As God by creation made two of one, so again by marriage He made one of two.”

~ Thomas Adam

Thought of the Week: Happy Mothers Day

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
           ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Thought of the Week: May 4, 2013

“For attractive lips, Speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes,
Seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, Share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise,
Walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things,

Have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed,

And redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,

You will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;

One for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

Thought of the Week: April 27, 2013

“Happiness is directly proportionate to gratitude”
                                                ~ Captain Gerald Coffee (Vietnam War POW)

Thought of the Week: April 20, 2013

“The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government.”     ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

  

Thought of the Week: April 14, 2013

“The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax.”
                                                ~ Albert Einstein

Thought of the Week: April 8, 2013

“Giving to those in need will bring more joy than money could ever buy.”
                                                ~ Dave Ramsey

Thought of the Week: Easter 2013

“If Easter says anything to us today, it says this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!”

~ Clarence W. Hall

Thought of the Week: March 24, 2013

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant:
if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”     ~ Anne Bradstreet

Thought of the Week: March 16, 2013

“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith."

 

~Margaret Shepherd

Thought of the Week: March 9, 2013

“Few people know how to take a walk.
The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes,
old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor,
vast curiosity, good speech, good silence
and nothing too much.”
                                  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thought of the Week: March 4, 2013

“Concentrate all of your thoughts on the task at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
                                    ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Thought of the Week: February 23, 2013

“We become what we think about.”
                                ~ Earl Nightingale

Thought of the Week: February 17, 2013

“Officeholders are the agents of the people, not their masters.”
          ~ Grover Cleveland

Thought of the Week: February 10, 2013

“Don't worry that your children never listen to you;
worry that they are always watching you.”
          ~ Robert Fulghum

Thought of the Week: February 3, 2013

“Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.”
           ~ Dale Carnegie

Thought of the Week: January 27, 2013

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”     ~ Helen Keller

Thought of the Week: January 19, 2013

"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing.  The next best thing is the wrong thing.  And the worst thing you can do is nothing."

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Thought of the Week: January 12, 2013

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."     ~ John F. Kennedy

Thought of the Week: January 5, 2013

"It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste."          ~ Henry Ford

Thought of the Day: Happy New Year

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

                                           ~ Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)