Distracting Trumpet

I can remember as a little kid watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus and laughing hysterically at the pure silliness of the skits. Those were deep and hearty laughs that were overwhelmingly fun. I loved it.

I haven't laughed that hard, well, since the early seventies...

That is, until now.

I was watching Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy the other night.

It was a repeat. They had a bit called "Distracting Trumpet".

Its a kind of parody of wise-guy-mafia movies.

I'm not sure if its the real Paul Sorvino's voice in it--if it isn't then Seth is a genius of hitting the mark in imitating him.

Anyways, a bunch a "connected" guys are sitting around the clubhouse, planning and strategizing their underworld moves. The setting is typical, the men are wearing designer suits, there is low lighting, and the stereotypical trumpet soundtrack is playing in the background.

Then, well, lets just say it turns absurd and Chuck Mangione's Feels So Good comes into play.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaPzqs17xBQ

Its ridiculous.

But I laugh so hard I actually start to cry.

Yes. Seth is a genius.

Doing Business With People You Like and Trust

Warren Buffet has been known to say that he only does business with people he likes, respects and trusts.

As a matter of fact, if he has high trust with an individual, he will pen and accept a deal recommended by that person worth millions without being overly concerned about the paperwork and due diligence He still does that of course. I mean, he is after all a great investor and business man.

Here's the thing.

That makes sense.

When I work and collaborate with people I trust and respect, the work seems effortless. We get a great deal of work done. It's easy and fun.

Consider the opposite.

With low trust, and a lack of respect, my energy is consumed in other things instead of the work. Will this individual show up? Will they sabotage our efforts? How long do I have to endure their company? etc...

I have said it again and again. I would rather work with someone who has average capabilities, and is completely trustworthy, committed and reliable rather than with a superstar who is hit and miss when it comes to their being counted on.

As the saying goes: "A cohesive group of team minded players will usually beat a collection of individual prima donna superstars".

A great team has trust, likeability, and committment. Very Important. Very True.

That Airline Attendant That Went Nuts...

I wasn't quite sure what my reaction was when I heard of Airline Steward Mr. Steven Slater's alleged meltdown.

Apparently, he quit in the most dramatic fashion possible too. It was reported that with two beers in his hands, he slid down the emergency exit slide while the plane was parked on the runway landing. This of course happened after he apparently told those who were upsetting him to go F Bomb themselves.

I wasn't there when it happened.

But I will say this. Obviously, Mr. Slater hit his boiling point and snapped.

He has become somewhat of an online hero. I can empathise. Dude was having a bad day-- and he succumbed.

And now, from that sheer act of completely unedited emotion, he is slated to get his own reality show. The premise? Guiding people how to quit their job in a memorable way.

Wow.

I have come to believe that if you ain't doing what you love to do in your career, the day will come when you will pull a Slater at your workplace. I'm not saying its right or that its wrong.

It's inevitable.

Sincere Kindness Rules Supreme

Yeah. Ok.

But it really does.

I'm not talking about the "people-pleasing-door-mat-style" of being nice. Not at all.

I'm talking about a sincere and honest effort towards being decent, courteous, and kind--With everyone!

Lately I have found that an interaction with anybody can be a pleasant experience if my approach is from a standpoint that is empathetic, friendly and honest.

It's like a mirror. It reflects back.

This is all new to me. Or more accurately, I have just started to appreciate this powerful truth.

If I am in a grumpy mood and feel low patience for anything, I come into contact with a lotta grumpy impatient people.

When I'm feeling grateful, happy and appreciative, I tend to meet a lotta pleasant and wonderful folks.

Pretty cool.

My "macho-wanna-be" side dismisses this experience as nonsense. I don't know why that is.

But I do know this: Kindness begats kindness.

Give it a try.

Lights Out James Toney vs Randy The Natural Couture

Wow! This is gonna be interesting. It's a cliched description but it fits perfectly: "Its the classic matchup of striker vs grappler!"

What's gonna happen?

Well, one of two things. Couture will either submit the world class boxer, or Toney will knock out the world class grappler.

It will take place at UFC 118 on August 28 in Boston.

Neither man is intimidated.

The whole Boxing vs MMA debate has grown old. My hunch is that this bout promises to keep it alive and well.

Nonetheless, I find this an intriguiging matchup.

Its MMA, and anything can happen.

Remember when an aging Ray Mercer knocked out former UFC Champion Tim The Maniac Silva? It only took one punch. He did it in under a minute. Tim Silvia is no longer the marquee star he once was because of that defeat.

Anything can happen indeed.

Frankly, I'm a huge fan of both fighters.

And, I will be watching.

Millionaire Matchmaker. Not What I Expected. She's Really Good!

Ok.

Before you buy me a skirt and insult my manhood, wait a second. Just hear me out...

Were it not for my beautiful wife (who by the way absolutely just loves this show!), I would have never heard of or even watched one second of this concept. Bah. Humbug.

Rather than being the self centered remote control hog that my track record would suggest, and bullying my way into us having another forced feeding of Spike TV, I decided one night that I would be the thoughtful husband and watch "her" show with her-- Millionaire Matchmaker. Ugh.

Zero expectations. Infinite surprises.

You know what? I hate to admit it. I loved it! Patti Stanger the host, producer, star and business owner of Millionaire Matchmaker is amazing! A bona fide straight shooter, an expert in what she does, and a no holds barred savvy business person. She can read a person in milliseconds with amazing accuracy. This is truly engaging. No pun intended.

What she does is provide a professional matchmaking service for lonely and single millionaires.

And she does it in a very no B.S. high profile sorta way.

When you watch someone do something at which they are a masterful expert , whether it be an artist, a singer, an athelete, or in this case a matchmaker, it is captivating.

Much respect for Patti and her methodology.

There's only one thing that strikes me as odd. Why is it that so many millionaires on the show, who are lonely and single, have demonstrated the ability to become self made financial successes-- and yet they haven't acquired the social ability to able to meet someone to whom they can make a lifelong commitment to? They actually come across as odd, offputting or self indulgent narcissistic goofs.

That's the disconnect. Patti sees right through that and addresses it swiftly and without mercy. And she delivers on her promises

Watch for Patti's star to continue to rise.

She's Really Good.

UFC 116 Prediction

Fans of MMA are in for a real treat this Saturday July 3rd.

UFC 116 pits Brock Lesnar against Shane Carwin.

Man oh man- this one is really too close to call.

Both are gigantic men (they both have to cut weight to make the 265 lb weight!) and both are in possession of extensive and well decorated wrestling backgrounds...

Brock Lesnar is simply unreal- his athlectism is phenomenal for a man his size. During the days when he ruled supreme in the WWE, he could do a back flip off of the top rope and land on his opponent like a life long gymnast. His speed is more commonly found in lightweights, and he is a quick learner. Don't forget that he has had only a handful of MMA fights, and he is now world champion. That speaks volumes.

Shane Carwin is comparable in his wrestling abilities, and even more so, his boxing and punching power is superhuman. He is undeafeated with knockouts all happening in the first round. If he connects, you go to sleep. What makes this interesting is that Brock's chin has never been tested--until now.

In terms of personalities, they are the exact opposite of each other.

Brock is brash, loud, aggressive and bullyish outside the octagon. It is with good reason too, he can back it up.

Shane is a gentleman, respectful, soft spoken, and ...um... civilized. He only turns into the machine beast creature inside the octagon.

What a beautiful matchup.

My prediction? Wow. Too close to call.

If Shane can resist and prevent the takedown, he will prevail.

If Brock can get it to the ground, Shane will have a short and disappointing night.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that Shane will win, by knockout in round 2.

But then again, it is mixed martial arts.

Anything can happen.