passion

Did someone get you with an April Fools prank?

Every year I love to see what companies are doing for April Fools. I love hearing about the pranks and jokes. There's a lot of thought and effort which goes into this one wacky day every year.

What I ask myself: why don't people treat more days like April Fools?

Not the prank part, the thought and effort which goes into doing something people stop and say, "Amazing!" Coming up with a good joke is one thing. Trying to come up with one that people notice, talk about and spread? Isn't that what companies are always trying to do?

Heck, isn't that what you and I should be trying to do?

In a radio interview with the legendary rock band AC/DC one listener called in just to say, “You guys have put out 12 albums and they all sound the same!”

The band’s lead guitarist, Angus Young, replied with, “Actually, we’ve put out 13.”

When you’ve sold over 200 million albums worldwide it’s easy to answer questions that way. The band doesn’t care if you think they’re a one-trick pony: they set out to write the music they wanted to, never changed their style, and it worked better than most bands could ever dream of.

Then again, AC/DC were far from being an overnight success anywhere outside of their home country, Australia. Their first international album flopped when it came out. So did their second album, which the label didn’t even bother releasing in the USA (until 1981 – five years later). With their third album they cracked the top-40 in a few European countries. When AC/DC released Highway to Hell they had their first hit album across Europe and in the USA.

International success came with their fifth album, 5 years after their first single in Australia which (I bet you can guess it…) failed to chart.Read more

I have a question for you: would you please explain the world to me using that one thing you think helps you understand the world?

It seems most people have an answer for this, or can come up with one with ease. Many pick something they’ve studies in school, like physics. Others choose an activity, like yoga. Some would side with Robert Pirsig and talk about motorcycle maintenance. One group shows the world is reflected in their religious beliefs, and another group shows it through the game of baseball.Read more

I reached the summit of Mount Tripyramid’s north peak to find three experienced hikers sitting down after climbing a different route up the mountain. Unbeknownst to me they were the three wise men of my journey, whose insights would shape a lot of my reflection later on in the day.

At first I thought the best thing I could do is ask questions about hiking and the White Mountains.Read more

For me, Opening Day in baseball is like Christmas or my birthday.

The playoffs in October are when I chew my nails off watching games.

After going to my first Red Sox game when I was 8 years old I began asking my father to take me to Opening Day with him. He told me he’d do it my senior year of high school. I’m not sure if he thought I’d give up, forget what he said, or if he was testing me. Every year I reminded him of his promise, and sure enough I went to Opening Day with him my senior year of high school. I was so giddy I told my teachers I was going to Opening Day – forget about “calling in sick,” I was going to Fenway Park and no one could stop me.Read more