Take action.

Recently I read a moving blog post from a colleague of mine who also happens to be a volunteer fireman that serves my neighborhood.
I am asking you do two things:

1. Read the post for yourself here
2. Call your local volunteer fire company or ambulance squad and ask what you can do. The easiest thing to do is to write a check to help them out. However, many volunteer outfits are always looking for new people and I'm sure they'd appreciate you joining up.

These are your people Dad

My Dad is a car enthusiast. He likes all cars, but has a soft spot for Ferrari. Whereas I can recognize a Ferrari when I see one, even the earlier ones, my Dad can tell you the model and year and can give you a rough estimate of the current value. He can probably even tell you if the paint color is original. Me - I just know its a Ferrari, and that I like it.

It was then not surprising that my Dad announced that he was going to the Concours d'Elegance held at Radnor Hunt and he wanted me to come with him. We had went two years ago and really enjoyed it so I said I was game.
This years event was fantastic. The published start time was 9:30am. Dad didn't want to arrive too early - worried that we'd have to sit in the van waiting for the gate to open. This was not the case. We arrived around 9:15am and were definitely not the first to do so. In fact, the parking area was quickly filling up and the event was in full swing leading to me to comment to Dad "these are your people".

Some of my favorite cars from the event include these two turn of the century models that offer a rather striking contrast to one another given they are only a year apart. The 1902 Covert Runabout on the left looks vastly more primitive than the 1903 Pierce-Arrow Rear Entrance Tourer on the right

Another favorite of mine was this 1919 Pierce-Arrow Vestibule Limousine Series 51 used by Woodrow Wilson. This is the first presidential limousine. Apparently President Wilson liked it so much that he bought it for his personal use after leaving office.

And of course there are all those Ferraris.

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 1956 Ferrari 500TR (Testa Rossa)

1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2

Needless to say, we're looking forward to next year.

Gestalt

According the Merriam-Webster on-line, gestalt is a German word meaning:

a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts

Huh?

I prefer Aristotle's definition:

The whole is more than the sum of its parts

I think Aristotle would have liked Gestalt (the company, not the confusing definition for the German word). We embody the true spirit of the quote - each individual employee is great in their own right, but only by working together do we reach our full potential. Only by collaborating, un-selfishly, do we reach true gestalt - a whole that is much more than the sum of its parts.

This week I celebrate my four year anniversary with Gestalt, LLC and as I reflect on my time here and the people I've collaborated with and the accomplishments we've collectively achieved, I am truly humbled. I look forward to starting my fifth year of service with the same enthusiasm I felt on the first day. The future can be scary and at the same time exhilarating – but I know that together we can continue to reach our gestalt.

Hello, My name is Bryan and I'm a soft drink addict

That's right, I am addicted to soft drink (or 'soda pop', or just pop depending on where you grew up). I would drink Coca-Cola™, Pepsi™ or root beer several times a day - typical two 20 ounce bottles each day.

But, as of September 2006, I gave it all up and went cold turkey. I haven't had a single drop of soft drink since. Mind you I still crave it wildly, especially around 3pm when my energy level is low and the thought of a cold, carbonated, and sweet libation would be just the thing to pick me up.

But alas, I am strong.

Now, I know this isn't the same thing as an addition to alcohol or drugs. But for me, someone who has been drinking soft drink for probably at least 30 years, sometimes more out of habit than true desire, it remains a powerful draw - one that is constantly reinforced through society.

So, what do I drink? Lots of water, milk, tea, coffee and the occasional adult beverage (but not at work of course).

I'm not sure I'm any healthier for this choice, but I certainly feel empowered by my ability to stay "on the wagon" for a whole year now.