Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (+8.5)

This proved to be infinitely interesting reading. Its sociology at its roots but the interface of the stories--and their application to the world we know, a world surprising more full of epidemics that I had ever considered, makes this very palatable sociology. The book is full of descriptions of the kind of people I know. They are the market and social mavens--the 20% that do 80% of the work--thanks to their charisma and their genius. Market mavens--those wonderful busy bodies like my sister that clip coupons and search four stores to track down the cheapest price are the primary regulators of consumer good pricing. Without them, artificial inflation would be rampant. (insight #1).

Next. The social connectors. My late mission President Carlson is one of these. A conversation at lunch with him would be something like this: Do you remember Jimmy's daughter Pam, Bro. Anderson? She used to date a man that came into our sales office frequently. His name was Charles. Charles sold by wooing. He'd always walk into the office with a crocodile smile and tell Janie at the desk how beautiful her hair was....names names names. People centered people connect us to 90% of the people we know! (insight #2)

Last. The golden number 150. A friend told me about this years ago--probably about the time this book his the market. We were talking about how our ward in Ogden was too big. With 250 students one always felt lost in the crowd. The secret number of successful social institutions is 150. Beyond that the benefits of social responsibility that grow naturally out of intimacy are lost. If you want to build a massive thriving business--keep it to groups less than 150. (insight #3)

What is hopeful though--and this is what I like best about the book--is that it doesn't end with simply analysis. Along the way is shows how average Joe's Jim's and Steve's can change the world as they know it. Like the good book says--a great vessel is guided my a small helm. This book gives practical insights on how by 'small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

Year Summary-- Best of Music, 2008

January--Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Somewhere Over the Rainbow
February--Ekolu, Ekolu Music. Warren G., I want it all. America, Ventura Highway
March--Ekolu, Honestly. Puressence, Don't Forget to Remember (and others)
April--Katch-a-fire. Love Letter, Skankin (and others)
May--MIKA, Big Girl, Grace Kelly (and others), Bob Marley, Wait in Vain
June--(Park Pop) Morgan Heritage, Raid Roots Dance. Neil Diamond, Coming to America
July--Cold Play, Viva la Vida. Travis, Re-offender.
August--Tracy Chapman, Fast Car. Jeff Buckley, Hallelujah.
September--님은 먼것에, 늦기전에
October--The Avett Brothers, Paranoia in B Major. Van Morisson, Stranded.
November--Alicia Keys, If I ain't got you. Estelle, American Boy.
December--리자, 인연. Paolo Nutini, New Shoes, Rewind. Marc Cohn, Walking in Memphis

Christmas Project 2008

Seven years ago when a friend and I were proselytizing in the neighborhood just behind Korea's Blue House when bumped into a wiry old guy named Kim Ilyong. We spent about 10 minutes talking with him in the street and later visited him at his house which wasn't far from there. We learned he was an artist. His office was littered with scraps of ink-stained chart paper. The walls were just as cluttered--with his finished products--dozens of carefully drawn emblems, poems, songs, and Korean national declarations no doubt. I never anticipated that I'd ever go back to his place but this Christmas proved the occasion. Mr. Kim spent about 6hrs on a Sunday afternoon etching out these wall scrolls for the family. He let me dab the ink.

More creative work

Dreality

To Dream is above all divine
Reality is too full of
Skunk spray
Weary baggy eyes
Cigarrette smoke
Weary ugly lies

Yet Reality will draw a line
Dreams are but fools of
Pungeance
Marrowed bones
Satience
Wind chime tones

On Rice and Opposition

On Opposition

Like pressure cooked rice
I don’t like the intrusive steam
But if that’s what it takes to be edible
(or to realize some dream)
(or do something incredible)
I’ll suffer it thrice

making time for the finer things

It's been a long time since I've put the pen to the page. So this is long past due. I've been feeling a dearth of creativeness since I changed fields from English lit studies to geopolitics. But there is a lot to say about that conflicting world as well. More to come.


Near and Far

Far from the heart of all I have known
Far from its dry blue skies
Its familiar nights
Its rested mornings

Near to the heart that I have not known
Nor could know
At ease in familiarity
Easy in the rest of home


Tracktion

I ain’t getting no tracktion—
In all my action—
Who’s got the action plan man?
Can you pin the day to a post it?
Check off all ‘to do’s’ and boast it?
Can you both eat your turkey and roast it?
And still find time
To relax and recline?
If you can
That’s a real good plan
Man! Look at that Alpha man!
Tracktion

How’s he getting all that traction?
In every action?
How does he do it?
And he still stays so fluid?
Bouncing off street-side stumbling blocks
Picking up girls like wall street stocks
And shooting nines with campus jocks
And still finds a way
To save the day?
If you can
That’s a real good plan
Stan! The original Daoist Man!
Tracktion

Get yourself some—Tracktion

Putting on winters mufflers

Winter is breathing down our necks here now. The locals say fall in Korea has been getting shorter. That's too bad because it's the best season here. The winds have started to pick up, the sky is clear blue, and the air is fresh and crisp. The local grasshoppers have been sneaking in our bathroom to stay warm at night. It's nice to have that small piece of nature close. With the oncoming cold I've instinctively started growing out my hair. I've got a nicer set of mufflers this year than I've had for years.