Matthew’s Blog

While wandering around Craigslist I saw a reference to this odd little site.

SubservientChicken.com

Its a marketing promo actually for Burger King’s "Have It Your Way" campaign.

Cute, but odd. See what happens when you tell it to do certain things.

The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line.
formerly part of a vast network of streetcars that ran from Stillwater to Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka and through out the Twin Cities.

We’ve replaced a highly effective, reliable, affordable transit system which was profitable, and in the 50s was the largest employer in the Twin Cities, and paid taxes. We’ve ripped up the tracks, we’ve spent umpteen $ billions on wider roads and freeways, destroyed neighborhoods, and now have to pay on average $6500/yr on personal transportation. Now we are fighting tooth and nail to rebuild rapid transit. What have we really gained compared to what we lost.

Hmm.

I took a ride on the restored line that runs between Linden Hills/Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun. Its only a little over a mile, but worth the $2 fare to ride the rails in the city as opposed to some transportation museum out in the tundra. We’ve lost a magical way of life.

I for one plan to ride the rails of the new Hiawatha Line on the 29th of June for its Grand Opening. Anyone want to join me?

Memorial Day Weekend in the Twin Cities is soggy, very soggy. We had a break of sun and glow so I sauntered out on a trek around the lakes.

Lo and behold I saw a loon – my feathered mascot – bobbing for fish. I love these birds. I had thought that they had all migrated north since I haven’t seen one since I got back from gunflint. Perhaps the rain drove away enough people for it to come out an play.

I’ve tweaked the website a tad. Redid the front page and reordered the menu.

What do you think? Use the comments section or email directly.

Wow! What great coverage. My article on Followership that I submitted to Corvus Enterprises’ Newsletter was picked up by Americoach for their newsletter as well.

The Subject is Followership: The Missing Leadership Component

I’ve been working with Americoach for almost a year now and absolutely love the work that Americoach is doing. Americoach is providing coaches for Americorps (domestic Peace Corps) volunteers. These are highly motivated, natural leaders, who grab onto coaching naturally and use it to the best advantage. Americorps Volunteers are awesome and I love working with them.

To see the article click here, it is on page two.

A duck, a cat, and a squirrel – sounds like a great start to a classic joke – doesn’t it? I don’t know what the joke is/was, but it certainly was bizarre perhaps foretelling.

Today on my morning walk I observed two mallard ducks who seemed to be seriously lost. After giving directions to the nearby watering holes I went about my business of my walk to Dunn Bros.

Well, on my return trip, whom do I run across, but the very same ducks (at least I think they were the same), well, one at least, seeming to have a pow-wow with a beautiful all white cat and squirrel of excellent specimen. Very bizarre indeed. All quiet un-disturbed by the situation and seemingly totally ambivolent about my presence as well.

I kept trying to come up with a joke, but found none. However, I did have a flash, that this is kind of like the Muppet Show – an odd assortment of fine acts . . .

Kermit and the Muppet Show have been on going themes this week as I realize that Kermit has become my new totem. No longer the tadpole. Now the showman, the stage manager, the collector of vast talents to bring the greatest show on earth. What that show is – I have no idea, but I do find it intriguing the response I received from the trio – Everything is just as it should be. Were they waiting for Kermit? Quack, MEow, Squeek, Hello

Wahoo! I was selected to be the Featured Coach this month in Corvus Enterprizes’ Connected Coach Newsletter. Not only that I got to write the main article on Followership.

Click here to read the article in pdf format