What I got rid of today.

Seriously, do we still need this?

As I’ve stated in this blog before, I don’t tend to read fiction…only nonfiction.

This, plus the nature of what I do, makes me read a lot of business books. So many of them are practically worthless after the first chapter or two. They outline their main point, and then proceed to hammer it home for about 10 more chapters.

Today, I RID this book – about customer service. I find it kind of insulting that we’re still publishing books on what should be an obvious business practice – serving the customer.

However, some brands don’t seem to get it.

Maybe this book will find its way to them.

The power of communities.

So, it’s snowing here in Dallas today.

A good day to stay inside…keeping warm, just a lazy day.

And while I enjoy a good day at home, I wonder if a lot of us don’t end up spending time inside just because we don’t have a sense of community, of friendship, of PEOPLE to hang out with.

I always note when I’m watching the local news that, no matter where I am, the angle of the local news seems to be, “Stay inside…it’s dangerous out there…” — whether applied to crime, the weather, or whatever crisis the news is trying to sell us.

So, as the Dallas area begins to thaw…

I offer up this book on community to the RID project to remind us all to engage, to participate, to get “out there.”

As often as possible.

Carpe Diem, my friends.

A world I'll probably never see.

After living 20+ years of the West Coast, and now after just over one in Dallas — I’ve come to realize that I’ll always be a city person.

Growing up in a small town (<2000 people) had its advantages, but I require the culture, options, and sheer energy of bigger cities.

My favorite vacations have been spent amidst the hustle and bustle of city life (Havana, Paris, Tokyo, London) although I’ve also sampled the laid back style of the “other” kind of trip (Aruba, small towns in Spain, Africa and its safaris.)

The one negative you always have in cities is their underbelly. As I RID this book today, I think that maybe, just maybe…the underbellies are needed. They’re part of what keeps a city on edge, and gives it the vibrancy and energy you see elsewhere within it.

Maybe I’ll sample a bit of Big D’s underbelly next week to find out.

Religion meets brand.

Today I’m RIDing this book about icons.

I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the reverence with which we hold corporations, and brands, in this country.

I think the American public, above all needs something to believe in.

For some, religion.

For others, consumption.

For others (and me at times), fame.

What do they all have in common? Icons which transcend the physical properties of the owner – taking on symbolic (and in some cases) real value.

Here’s to looking inward…more often.

In need of help.

Following up yesterday’s post about oceans, it seemed wise to add this book today – it’s about the beauty and the plight of our oceans.

I was (somewhat blissfully) unaware of this problem until a couple of years ago when I saw a speech about what rough shape the oceans were in – how much we’re overfishing them, how much we’re polluting them, etc.

This is another subject where I must admit, I’m going to let other, more passionate people follow up on it – but the simple awareness of the oceans’ situation has made me think more consciously about the choices I make.

And, as I RID this book today – I give away the book. But not the awareness.

An important issue indeed.

I got this book awhile ago, and I’ve officially decided today, I’m just not going to read it.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t think the issue is important. As a person who’s lived in Los Angeles, and in Dallas — I’ve become VERY aware of how our way of living is outpacing our water resources in the U.S.

To say nothing of third-world countries.

So, I ask everyone today…to think a little bit more about water. How not to waste it, how to cherish it, and how to help solve the world’s water problems.

And, if anyone needs a book to get inspired about this, just give me a call.