Until now, I've owned two.
I love words.
Words, to me, are so important–yet we treat them as if they are not.
I find it odd how many times we pick words to use when communicating with others, but our lack of precision about those words allows us to miscommunicate, to not be clear.
Maybe this is why I owned not one, but two, dictionaries.
No more – climb atop the RID pile, Random House.
Onward. Upward.
Just a game.
I’ve always said I had to be in advertising, I just couldn’t think of anything else to do.
As we end 2010 – I’m thinking (I think) a bit more richly about what I’m good at, what I think I do well.
I listen to people.
I understand and empathize with their concerns.
I find patterns in what they say.
And I turn those old patterns into new and motivating stories.
While I’ve been happy to be part of an industry that’s interesting enough for its own board game (which I happily RID today), I can’t help but think about what another use of my skills MIGHT be.
And thus it begins.
Many miles, many miles.
I’ve been thinking lately about the older I get, and the older my daughter gets…the less I need an extra suitcase to pack for Christmas. (It would typically be used to pack the new gifts in – I’d bring it home for the holidays empty, it’d return full.)
The RID project (now almost 5 years old) has made me treasure the lack of conspicuous consumption in my life now. It has reoriented me towards possessions in a way that not only makes me value the items I RID myself of less, but when I acquire new items – I evaluate their value in a way I never had before.
As we celebrate this season, I’d highly recommend a RID project to anyone who’s interested. It’s one of the healthiest things I’ve done for myself in 2010.
And it’s got me looking very forward to 2011.
Merry Xmas, one and all.
Too soon, too soon.
I’ve already given away the Kurt Cobain book, today goes the John Belushi.
As many of us are spending time with our loved ones tonight and tomorrow, this book serves as a reminder to cherish those you love, and make sure you tell them you love them…while you still have a chance.
Be good to those you love during this festive holiday season.
For my money, our greatest humorist.
Well, here we are…another holiday season.
For many of us going home to be with our families, I highly recommend a good David Sedaris book. For while many of us find our families dysfunctional, David chose to channel his into creating a book detailing their exploits…and making the rest of us laugh.
What a great message about finding your calling, and your muse, and in going with it.
As I cast David’s book atop the RID pile today, I find inspiration in that simple thought.
Safe travels, all.
Received as a gift.
The giving away of games continues today.
I got this Cranium game a few years ago — but never had the chance to play it. It goes on the RID pile today.
I loved Cranium’s corporate mission when it started, “to give everyone a chance to shine.”
My thought, during this holiday season, is that should be EVERYONE’s mission statement.
Happy holidays, all.
Better to burn out than fade away?
I miss my old home in Seattle sometimes.
I especially miss the first years I lived there, from 1989-1994 — when Seattle changed from “You’re moving where?” to “Man, that’s so cool! Seattle seems so great!”
Nothing defines that time period more than the emergence of grunge. And no one captured that eos like Nirvana.
So, today…as I cast this Kurt Cobain biography on to the RID pile, I think of what was….
In music,
In Seattle,
And in me.
Never really had the love for this game.
The giving away of games continues today with Operation.
I’ve always felt that this game is a bit of a game with no purpose.
Sure, you can work to remove some of the parts of the patient – but does it ever get any better? I mean, hey — this guy is obviously REALLY sick. There are problems all over his body. Will the removal of one or two of his ailments really help things?
I mean, maybe it’s time for him to donate his entire body to science and get it over with?
I’m not really sure why I was hanging on to this game. Maybe I thought if I kept it in my possession longer I’d be more willing to play it…that I’d appreciate the game more over time.
But the truth is, I found the game dumber and dumber with every play.
So, today — I RID myself of it.
Goodbye Operation – go find someone who finds your game interesting and entertaining…something I haven’t for a long time.
An odd thing for someone living by himself to own.
Today, I start giving away games…seems appropriate since Christmas season tends to be the only time I play them.
I give this game of checkers away to the RID pile today…one of these easiest RIDs I’ve done to date.
Why? Because I prefer games with more energy, more strategy, more collaboration. This game, checkers, is a bit of an evil game to me.
Every man for himself. War metaphors. People just trying to beat someone else.
I’ll keep my other games – games where people work together, create new things instead of just moving the same pieces around on the board all day long.
And games that teach you something…that grow you.
Goodbye, checkers. You are truly the minor leagues of board games.
At least in my opinion.
What I got rid of today. 