Toronto Segway Tour Was Awesome

The family vacation to Canada was a huge success.  Quebec City, Montreal, Niagra Falls, and Toronto over 10 days was fast paced and we covered a lot of ground.  We recommend a Canadian adventure to everyone: Amazing cities, nice people, great food, and lots of things to see and do.

A highlight of the trip was Segway Ontario (Oh yes, we are "those" tourists who did the Segway Tour!!!). Most of the family had been on Segways in the past, but our youngest daughter had never had the opportunity.  You have to be at least 13 to ride Segways in most cities that have such tours, and before this year Kate was too young.  When we heard about the tour of the historic Distillery District near Downtown Toronto, we singed up.

(***Tip:  Sign up in advance online.  We did three days in advance and found most of the time slots during our visit to already be filled).

The tour guides, Eric Bell (listed on his business card as "professional guide and longboarder") and Jill Sullivan (Listed on her business card as "book enthusiast") were both knowledgeable and fun.  They spent just over an hour teaching us to ride the silly machines, and then educating us on the Distillery District.  Turns out this area and the 150+ year old buildings have a colorful history.  We heard things we never would have known had we just roamed around this destination shopping and restaurant area.  Heck, we even stopped for samples of locally made chocolate and local craft beers (who doesn't love beer and chocolate?).

We did one-hour tour and my only complaint was it was too short, so I am not sure if the 30 minute tour would as good of an option. Go for the longer version and enjoy the ride. 

If you are going to Toronto, you gotta check out Segway Ontario as you will learn more about the history of the city (yes history of booze, death, cholera breakouts, child labor, etc...) and have a lot of fun. While expensive for a family of four, everyone agreed it was one of the best parts of our time in Toronto (which was all great). 

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Information Overload and the Smoothie of Action Items

I spent this week at the National Speakers Association Convention.  This annual four day conference has been a "must do" meeting for my schedule ever since I became a full-time speaker and "The Conference Catalyst".  (There are two conferences I attend every year that always provide HUGE value... NSA and SXSW).  I like participating in this event and find my business grows each year from the action items that bring home.

I was amazed the other day when a speaker asked me "why would you go to a conference of speakers, they don't refer you business... I only go conferences where I can meet potential clients".  This is a dumb statement.  (Yes, you know who you are, I know you read this blog, and yes, you sounded DUMB).  First, I have gotten several referrals from other speakers.  Second, how can you grow in a business as complex as the speaking industry without studying how others succeed (and fail) in their process?  Besides, if I was a locksmith I would be an active member of the National Locksmiths Association.

Larry Winget (The Pitbull of Personal Development.... oh yes, he "owns" that phrase!) was one of the keynote speakers.  While not everyone likes Larry's style, you cannot argue that he has created a very admirable career.  His success did not happen by accident.  He was not lucky.  He set out to accomplish exactly what he did in the speaking business.  He talked about the early days when he always attended NSA to watch, listen and learn. He avoided common mistakes, and looked for openings to create his own unique brand.  He and I agree that we do not know how people expect to "wing it" (no pun intended) in this business without the clear understanding that comes from paying close attention to what others are doing.  You cannot just fly by the seat of your pants and try to copy others.

Besides Mr. Winget, this year's NSA Convention was packed with speakers who provided practical learning, ideas, actionable tid-bits, and buckets of inspiration.  I was not able to jump back into my work immediately after the conference, as my family did a little vacation trip tacked onto the end of NSA (Can you say "Hollywood".... yes, I know,... the trip to Italy should have been enough vacation for anyone).  However, I did clearly start to ponder the ways to extend my own brand to the world.

Brian Tracy and Harvey Mackay were also in attendance.  These two were my inspiration to become a speaker.  Early in my career I read their books and attended their training programs.  They encouraged me to go for my dream, and now I get to live it.  Even thought I have met both of these men several times, I am still taken by how gracious they are when people come and talk with them.  I want to be them when I grow up!

Some might complain about "information overload", but I see this massive swirling of thoughts in my mind as a cosmic blender.  My "smoothie of learning".  I thrive on being exposed to a constant supply of new concepts. Not very thing needs to go into mix, but if I did not have all the ingredients at my finger tips then I could never expand my business.

Have A Great Day

**** Follow up:


I got the following note from a friend:

"Calling someone DUMB sure doesn’t sound like you.

Have always considered you one of those eternally nice people – it’s a really great brand that I admittedly do not achieve"

I found the statement to be very short-sighted and "dumb" came out when I wrote the story.

In review "DUMB" was a strong choice of words. I think I meant this world more like using "DUH".  Certainly not a compliment, but I did not mean it in as harsh of a manner as my friend interpreted it, but I always admire and appreciate this friend's wise counsel -- thus I wanted to point out my reconsideration of my choice in calling anyone "Dumb".

The Conference Speaker as an Artist

Being in Milan to gaze upon Leonardo Da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper" is much different than looking at a print of dogs playing poker.

Watching a play in the basement of a local church is often not the same as attending a Broadway play.

Hearing the Boston Symphony play a concert touches your emotions more than hearing a kid play "Hot Cross Buns" on a plastic flute.

Real art that is brought to us by committed artists engages our soul. (I know, I know, .... different people like different things when it comes to art.... so if you prefer dogs playing poker then that is okay, too!).

Speaking to an audience is also an art form. Presentations are more that words uttered by experts.  Oratory skills have had impact on societies from the beginning of time and moving speeches linger in our hearts and minds.

Why then are many business professionals who attend conferences forced to listen to flat presentations that fail to impact the audience?  Why are we not expecting art from those who take the stage?

It is not too much to expect a combination of substance and style from those who speak! Remember this: "Just because someone is smart or has done something cool... it does not mean they belong on stage!"

It is important to remember that art appreciation is subjective, so what one person finds appealing is not so amazing to another. Thus, my opinions of what makes for a good speech may not be the same as yours. But it is easy to identify the difference between a speaker who gives a talk, and one who is dedicated to the art of speaking.

The executive director of an association asked me once if I thought speaking was an art. I confirmed that I not only believe this, but lived it as a principle in my craft.  I take my career seriously.

She hired me.

We then discussed her motivation in asking this question. She said she learned to ask this of speakers, as their ease with the answer was a window to how they would serve her audience. She herself had studied art, and loved to see people who used their career as a canvass.  (I have not read Seth Godin's "Linchpin", but she told me this was the topic of his book).

I spent time on a recent vacation thinking about conference speaking as an art. As my family toured Northern Italy I witnessed countless historical art venues which included paintings, architecture, gardens, performing arts, etc.... I saw first hand how committed artists create legacies that move those who encounter their art throughout the ages.

Being a professional speaker is no different from being any other type of artist. Great art peals back the layers to touch the heart of people. While not every person likes a Picasso, everyone can agree he was a master. The same is true for speakers at a conference. Different topics appeal to different people, but when you see someone's artistic passion, they move you to action and you do not easily forget their words.

Yet business events end up with talking heads who click through generic PowerPoints without ever telling any stories or embracing the art of the oratory. The importance of the artistic qualities of how one speaks has been replaced by a cold and static desire for content. Too many argue for content over style, and then audiences get bored listening to monologues.  It is not a tug of war for content or style (a speaker who is just style and fluff is also not an artist)... you need both!

When you stand in the viewing room of the old monastery in Milan that houses Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" (the painting never travels, as it is on the wall itself), there is behind you another painting on the far wall. Painted by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano, it is full of important content of Christian historical and biblical importance. The content of this other painting is good, but being on the opposite the wall from "The Last Supper" it falls away to obscurity. Amazing art stands out.

Thus you find with art, as with everything in life, content matters, but alone it is not powerful. The best speakers you see at business conferences are artists. They are who the audience remembers weeks and years after going home.  When done right, and artist who speaks will paint memories into the minds of the audience.

Was the last speaker you saw an artist?  The next time you attend a conference and watch the speakers on the stage you should ask yourself  if the speaker is painting on a canvass with his words.  If the answer is no, there will still be good information that can help you succeed.  Take notes.  But if the answer is yes, prepare to enjoy the experience and drink in all the aspects of their presentation.

Have A Great Day

thom singer


Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

Are You Filled With Honey or Vinegar?

I gave a copy of my book, "The ABC's of Networking", to a man sitting in my row on my recent flight to Milan.  We had talked for a while, and he was delightful.... and clearly had a kind soul.  He read the entire book during the flight (Hey, we do call it an "Airplane Book"), and then shared his insights on why the message was important.

One thing he said has stuck with me:

He said, quoting (paraphrasing) Rumi, 

"What is special about bees?  They only seek what is beautiful in the world (the flowers), and never pay attention to anything ugly.  Thus what they produce (honey) is so amazingly sweet."

Wow.

How about you?  Are you like a bee?  Do you seek to find the positive and beauty in your surroundings or are you constantly focusing on what is wrong with everything?  Are you producing honey or vinegar?  (The people around you already know the answer.... do you?).

Bees are interesting creatures, as they both work together to create highly networked societies.... and yet they successfully venture forth alone to get things done (gathering pollen).  They work hard (you don't see many lazy bees lounging around the hive) without complaint.  They are gentle in action, but have the ability to sting when necessary.  And their product is sweet and makes the world (and a biscuit) better because of their efforts.

I did not get the name of man on the plane.... our paths simply crossed on a trans-Atlantic flight, but his words touched my heart.  I am captivated by the thought that "a focus on beauty produces sweetness".  It is powerful and something we all need to remember.

I am reminded that we never know when we might have an impact on another person.  If this gentleman and I had not talked, or if I had not shared my book, I would have missed this lesson on seeing beauty in the world.  We must be open to those around us and hear the messages they bring, as the people we meet might be full of honey.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

People Enjoy Doing Business With Those Who Love Their Work

A free day in Seattle lead me to playing tourist. I was in town to give two speeches over the following few days, but had just enough time to enjoy one of my favorite cities.

Just near the Pike Place Market, after my regular pilgrimage to the original Starbucks, I ducked into a small shop to get out of the rain (what? rain in Seattle?). The sight of wines, olive oils, vinegars, pastas, and jellies coupled with the allure of samples, made it very inviting.

While the gourmet products that they sold were great, it was the owner of the shop and her delightful disposition that made the encounter memorable. She talked to all the patrons in her store and offered up an incredible combination of tastes and information. The truffle infused honey and the dollop of 15 year old balsamic vinegar were both amazing to the palate.

I was reminded by this experience that personality, customer focus and making others feel like important and honored guests is key to success. This is not only true for the purveyor of specialty foods, but for everyone in any industry. People do business with those they know, like and trust. If you do not make an effort to connect with others they will never buy your products or services.

I could not have imagined leaving this store without buying something. I purchased a small gift of truffle salts for my wife (who is an amazing cook and loves little shops like this one!).

If you are ever in Seattle, stop in at La Buona Travola (1524 Pike Place) to get your truffled products and exceptional Italian regional specialties. Look for the owner, Rei Hanscomb.... she clearly loves what she does for a living! People enjoy doing business with those who love their work.

Have A Great Day.

thom

My Day With Frank Lloyd Wright

I recently spent the day with Frank Lloyd Wright.

Okay, not the man... as he has been dead since 1959. But while in Phoenix, Arizona for a business trip and some television appearances I had some time to kill on Sunday and decided to visit Taliesin West. This was Wright's winter camp, studio and is the main campus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School or Architecture.

The outpost was built in the 1930's as a place that Wright, his family, and his apprentices could go to escape the Wisconsin winters, while continuing to create the amazing building designs that made him famous. They would pack up the studio (the whole company) and drive across country to take up residence in the Arizona dessert for half the year.

The property is still a working school and the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. The guided tour was very informative, but the amazing thing was to see the buildings that were constructed by hand by Wright and his team. They seem to naturally spring from the hillside. Experiencing way they lived, worked and entertained was inspiring.

Guests who were invited to visit Taliesin West in the 1940s and 1950s were told to bring a sleeping bag, a tuxedo (or formal dress), and a musical instrument. They would spend the evenings in the various living areas mingling with those who worked there and international celebrities who were drawn to be part of Wright's inner-circle. One could feel the power and energy that flowed through these buildings in the day! You cannot be at Taliesin West and not feel an strong attachment to the environment.

The part of Wright's work that is so amazing is that he died fifty years ago, but his designs still hold their timeless ability to amaze those who see them. Many people claim genius, but few people can really be seen as "Real Genius".

I think we should all study masters, like Frank Lloyd Wright (regardless of industry). To be able to achieve our own levels of unique accomplishment in our own lives we must understand what greatness looks like. I saw greatness in my day with FLW.

Have A Great Day.

Summer Vacation In Spain

If you had noticed that I had been a bit light on posting to the blog in late June, it is because my family spent eleven days in Spain. I had planned to blog from the road from my "Netbook", but there was not much free time, the internet connectivity was not ideal, and the netbook keyboard is really small. Thus, I just enjoyed the time with my family and our friends.

Additionally, I do not like to openly blog or tweet that we are away from home. Not that anyone who reads my blog is a robber... but I still like to keep it on the down low!

This was our third trip to Europe with the Morris family. They are life-long friends who have three daughters whose ages match up exactly with our girls. They rent a house somewhere in the world every couple of years and invite others to come along and share the experience. Leslie does an amazing job of finding large houses, with swimming pools, that are close to lots of sights to see. (here is her blog post on how to orchestrate a multi-week, multi-family vacation).

Four years ago we were in Sienna, Italy. Two years ago we were in Provence, France. This year.... This year was Malaga, Spain.

Traveling with other families and staying in a big house is a wonderful way to see the world. The kids are still young, but even four years ago (my youngest and the Morris twins are now seven, but in Italy they were three-years-old) they understood that it was a "special" vacation. Plus, traveling with your mom, dad, and sister can get rough, but when there are a pack of kids with whom to run, the world is your playground.

We joined the Morris' for the second week of their vacation along with their friends, the Kupers, from Boston (who also had a seven-year-old daughter, bringing the count to six kids ages 12, 11, 7, 7, 7, and 7...all girls).

One family who was with them "week one" blogged about the vacation. Therefore the week before we left for Spain we could read Neeracha's blog and look into a crystal ball about all the wonderful places to go and food to eat! It helped us map out our travels to ensure we made the best use of our limited time in Spain.

We began our trip with three days in Barcelona. We lost most of the first day because of Delta Airlines delays. We had the worst experience with an airline going both directions over the Atlantic. Overall 30 hours of delays. But the trip was so wonderful, I do not want to ruin this post with those details. I will write about that later.

Barcelona is now tied for my favorite city in the world (I still LOVE Venice). The people, the architecture, the food, and the overall vibe of this town makes it wonderfully unique. We stayed directly on Las Ramblas, and we walked for miles everyday.

The kids were adventurous with trying the food (mostly Tapas at every meal), although they liked the "bikinis" best (ham and cheese on white bread tapas, cut in triangles). They also enjoyed the elimination of "bed time" in Spain, since restaurants don't start serving until well after 8 PM or later.

We then flew to Malaga in the south of Spain where we joined our friends at Rancho Del Ingles. The Rancho was a hillside farm with a large house and several other bunking houses. It was a rustic old house, but a beautiful place to sit pool side and read a book. Some nights, after returning for a day-trip, we would go to local restaurants. Other evenings we cooked at the house.... and the last night we hired a local chef to come and cook for the group of twelve.

The rule of the house was the first person awake needed to drive to town to buy fresh churros for breakfast. Since I am an early riser, I happily did this trek daily. The guy who made the churros spoke no English, and I speak no Spanish, but we developed an understanding of my need for LOTS of churros for a big crowd. Again, the kids were thrilled that the normal nutrition rules of our home were suspended and they were eating fried dough for breakfast and were welcome to ice cream any time they saw a place that sold the cold treats.

We day tripped to several Spanish cities and landmarks including Granada (The Alhambra is the most visited attraction in Spain, and one of the most impressive historic palaces and gardens you could ever see), Ronda (hilltop town), Gibraltar, Torre Del Mar (Father's Day was spent playing on the beach along the Mediterranean with the kids), Marbella (fancy shopping, lunch and more time in the sea), and Tangier.

Besides hanging around with wonderfully amazing people, Tangier was the highlight of the trip. Sara and I were very apprehensive about taking the girls on a boat to Africa for the day. The guide books and internet research made Tangier sound dangerous. Everything warned that Americans should not eat or drink there, as diarrhea was common from the food (yuck.. not the best way to spend your vacation), and that pick pockets were pervasive. We wanted to go, but did so with some trepidations.

As it turned out, while we had to be conscious of our surroundings, the day in Tangier was a fantastic. I never felt threatened, and we packed peanut butter sandwiches and other snacks for us and the kids to eat (diarrhea was just not something we wanted to deal with on this trip!).

We spent about four hours touring the "old city" with a hired guide, who kept from getting lost through the winding streets and crowded shopping areas. If you ever go to Morocco, hiring a guide is the key. Once we were with him, nobody bothered us, as it was clear that we were with him for our tour.

Life for the people of Tangier is very different than it is for those who live in Austin, Texas. But there was joy, laughter and entrepreneurial spirit around every corner. These can be found to be pervasive throughout humanity.

Many people advised that with the economic downturn, and my launching out on my own business this year, that we should have not spent the money on an extended European vacation.

WRONG.

To have missed this trip would have been the worst money I ever saved! I find that I learn so much when we travel. Seeing different cultures, experiencing life in various countries, and traveling with others (especially other families!) is the greatest gift I can ever give my children.

Have A Great Day

thom

Vacation Over - Heading Home

All good things must come to an end. I write this blog post from Bellagio, Italy as the sun is coming up on a beautiful Thursday morning - the last day of our vacation. Tomorrow we fly home.

My family and I spent two weeks in Italy with my in-laws. One week in Venice and the other in Bellagio (on Lake Como). Both cities were wonderful, and made for one very relaxing and exciting vacation.

I did not realize how much I needed a vacation. I work a lot and am always on the go, and the down time was like a battery re-charge. Every morning I woke up before everyone and went for a sunrise walk along the water and sat at a sidewalk cafe (before it opened, they had internet access on the patio) and checked email, blogged and caught up on any news in the world. By 8 AM I was back at the apartment and making breakfast.

Many think that checking email on vacation is a bad thing...but for me it kept me from coming home to thousands of emails and a nightmare of "catch-up". It gave me peace of mind and I was able to handle some minor questions that would have fallen through the cracks otherwise.

We spent our time in both locations exploring a variety of tourist sites, neighborhoods, villas, restaurants, and other interesting venues. The people were amazing, the food delicious, and one particular wine (made from wild grapes) kept bringing us back to a small establishment, Bellagio Point (an internet and wine cafe), each night before dinner. The owner, Bruno, recommended great restaurants and knew the answers to all our Bellagio related questions. He is also an artist, who hand paints beautiful murals on wine bottles. His familiar smile and his bar's great atomsphere were welcoming.... plus the kids could get on a computer and play on Webkins for 30 minutes, which kept them plugged into their normal life (and was a good thing for them to look forward to while touring a museum or church, which might have been a bit boring for them!)

My daughters, ages 11 and 6, really enjoyed the trip. While they are too young to fully appreciate all they saw, they relished in the uniqueness of Venice and the beauty of Lake Como. Additionally, they loved spending the whole day, everyday, with mom, dad, grandma and grandpa. Many question our sanity on bringing kids so young on such a vacations (this was their third time to visit Europe), but they were troopers.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we have a rule in Italy - "Gelato everyday, sometimes twice!!!" This seems to keep the kids going, as we try new flavors at different Gelaterias every time. Also, they fell in love with Italian Hot Chocolates...which were good, but way to much like drinking a melted Hershey bar for my tastes. They will have a big reality check when we return to Austin and return to limited amounts of such treats / sweets. Heck, ice cream every day is not a good idea.... but while on a two week vacation.... why not?

All of my blog posts the last few weeks have directly or indirectly related to vacation.... as I have had vacation on the brain. I look forward to getting back to more normal blog postings, but I have learned that vacation is important....and hope to hang onto my newfound serenity. My creativity is currently high, and my enthusiasm about the tasks at hand for the next few months is at an all-time level.

I am grateful for all that I have in my life. My family, my friends, my job, my writing and professional speaking career, and this blog (and those of you who read my stuff). A little time away from your daily routine does wonders for helping one appreciate all the good things in their life. I have a big wave excitement hitting me and look forward to tackling many projects this fall.

Next week, my third book; "Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Women" will be released (now available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble). I have been working on this project with my co-author, Marny Lifshen, and our editor, Leslie Morris, for over a year. We are very excited about this new product. It is the first in a series of books that will exand upon "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow and Keep Your Business Relationships". Please check it out and tell a friend!!!

Well, I am off to make breakfast for the family and then catch a ferry boat to explore one last day on Lake Como.

Ciao.

Thom

Take A Morning Vacation

I love the solitude of the early morning. While on vacation I always wake before my family (not with an alarm, just because I am an early riser). I take this time to explore the area, catch up on emails, read a book, or just sit in a cafe and observe life going past me. There is a peaceful feeling to have that time to decompress and prepare for the coming day.

Even at home, a half hour sipping a latte before going to the office while reading the paper gives me the downtime needed to collect my thoughts and gain focus.

I think everyone should schedule themselves a morning vacation every chance they get. Just thirty minutes (an hour is you can), where you do something you enjoy. Sit still or go for a run. Read or write. Pray or think. Just avoid the computer, IPod or television. Make this short excursioin all about connecting with yourself. This is soul time.

I am not sure that morning works for everyone, I know a lot of people who can never seem to motivate to get out of bed and there inner-self stays asleep until noon. So you do not need to take my "morning vacation" literally, a 3 PM or 9 PM getaway I am sure would work just as well. I just like the morning.

Once you get into the habit of your morning vacation, you will find it to be an important part of your day. While I cannot do it everyday, as I have a lot of other responsibilities (taking the kids to school, work-related breakfasts, etc....), I do cherish the mornings when that time is available and I make it a priority. Without it I could never accomplish all that I do.

Think about your daily schedule. Do you have personal time built into your routine? If not you are cheating yourself (and everyone around you) from performing at your peak.

Have a great day.

thom

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Remembering to be inspired is hard. No matter who we are or what we do, routine sometimes takes over and completing tasks seems most important. But we all have that spark inside us that gets us jazzed up, and we can easily recapture that feeling of WOW.

You know what I am talking about. Entrepreneurs feel it in the early stages of their business. If they were not inspired, they would not and could not have taken the steps to launch their companies. We feel it in love-relationships when we first meet that someone special and cannot get enough time to just stare into their eyes.

Sometimes all it takes to discover your inner inspiration is to break the cycle of your routine and do something different.

I never used to be a big fan of extended vacations. I could not have imagined being away from the office for two weeks at a time, and for over a decade limited myself to long weekend trips or a few extra days a Christmas. The fear of 100 - 150 emails per day piling up in my inbox would give me the chills. I feared that co-workers and clients would think I was a slacker if they got "out-of-office" replies for more than a couple of days. And worst of all, I mistakenly convinced myself that I could de-compress with just a few days away.

I have now found that the Europeans have the right idea with their extended holidays (their other good idea is "the siesta", but working an afternoon nap into the American workday is not something I think will ever happen).

Taking a long trip in the summer gives one something to look forward to for months in advance, and I have found that I become more inspired about my career and other goals after having some time away.

Co-workers seem to rise to the occasion and find ways to help and support those who are traveling, not resent them (God, I hope I am right!!!! he he). Emails are easy to manage from the road, and with a small investment of less than one hour each morning, I answer 90% of all questions and delete the huge amounts of spam or other useless messages that seem to clutter the inbox constantly.

Most of all, it is at about day ten of a vacation when I really start to find the peace in my soul that I think we all need do badly in the high pressure world in which we live. What a shame it would be to never reach that peace or to have to fly home immediately upon uncovering that sense of Nirvana.

You also do not need to travel to an exotic location for your time away. A friend of mine told me about his boss who takes a 14-day at home vacation every year (there is a catchy name for doing this, but I cannot remember it..."home-cation" or "near-cation"???). He is "away" from the office in the same manner as if he was on the opposite side of the world. His family gets 100% of his time and they never leave the city where they live.

Regardless of what you do, find a way to get away, it will show you the way back to inspiration.

The 80's band The Go Go's had it right with the song "Vacation" - it is not wanting to get away, it is "having to get away". Try it, you won't regret it.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Images of Venice

I enjoyed my week in Venice, Italy. It has become my favorite city to visit on the planet. Before going I was cautioned by others that the city was over-crowded with tourists, expensive, dirty, and smelly. However, I learned that an experience is only in the heart of the person who lived the experience. One can never know how they will react to something until they have walked their own path.

Never again will I believe another's negative review of travel. One person's oyster is another's pearl. We were told that three or four days was enough, and we found seven too few. We did all the tourist things (yes, the high price of a gondola ride is worth it!!!), but we most enjoyed the places that were off the beaten path, and asked our hotel for restaurants that were only for Venicians. Alas, we ate like royalty.

Yes, Venice is expensive. Sure, there are a lot of tourists. I did not think it was dirty or smelly, other than the scents of the amazing food from all the wonderful restaurants. If you ever have the chance to go there..... do it.

Below are some of my photos that I hope you enjoy.

thom

Tuesday Night By Gondola

I think that too often people get caught up in the circles of their own life and they forget that the world is not just what they view on a daily basis.

Imagine living in a large city in the United States. You probably commute to work via a car, fighting your way through traffic lights to reach the highway. Once you are on the major thouroughfair, your stop and go tapping on the brakes all the way to the office.

Maybe you pop in at Starbucks for your morning cup of coffee in a to go cup and jump back in the car. Whatever you do, it is your routine and you probably think little about how different a day can be for other people around the world.

Without even touching on the conditions in under developed countries, it is facinating to visit other cities to see that things can be vastly different, and yet amazingly similar.

I live in Austin, Texas - which by all accounts is an fantastic place to live, work and raise a family. The population of the greater Austin area is close to 1.6 million people. Venice, Italy's surrounding area has about the same number of people, and yet these two wonderful cities are so different.

I wish I could explain how taken I am with Venice. It is a city like no other that I have ever seen. The things you see on television and in the movies do not do it justice. Before arriving I was warned by others that Venice in the summer can be hot, overrun with tourists, expensive, smelly and dirty. While all of those things are based in some truth, those who only see that part of the Venician world have missed one of the true wonders of the world.

The city is a metropolis that sprung from the water over 2000 years ago, and has a rich history and architecture like nothing eles I have ever encountered.

A few years ago the U.S. Insurance industry freaked out over "mold" growth in homes. The scare was so large that you could not get insurance on a piece of property is you had ever spilled a glass of water. Meanwhile Venice is surrounded by water and these palaces that line the Grand Canal have survived hundreds of years of a game of give and take with the sea. It makes me laugh at those State Farm guys.

There are no cars in Venice and finding coffee to go is virtually impossible. There are no Starbucks in Italy, and when you want that morning expresso you stand at the bar and drink it with the locals. You smile and talk to those around you who are interested in discovering where you are from and how long you will be visiting their beautiful city. That does not seem to happen in the long lines of an American coffee house.

The talk in the media about how the world hates America seems to be highly overstated (sorry CNN), as everyone I have spoken with has been wildly friendly, and interested in discovering more about Texas. People are just people, and those I have seen (locals and fellow travelers) are trying to have a great day the best they can.

You walk a lot in Venice. You also take the bus, but that bus is a very old large water craft that circles the Grand Canal. There are no cars, or other vehicles, in the main city. The streets are a series of twisting and turning alleys that all look the same, and yet are spectacularly different.

The La Fenice Opera House was burnt to the ground in a raging fire in 1996, and was restored in 2003. Only the facade of the building and a few other back rooms survived, but to tour the new theatre was an amazing testiment to what can be accomplished. The grand theatre looked spectacular, and was true to the design of the 100 year old hall that had stood before. What struck me was the the Italians had the resolve to make it as it was, where it was - and damn, it is incredible. To the the detail of the craftsmanship and know it was created just 5 years ago is inspiring. Even my 11 year old found the theatre a highlight of the trip. Wow.

The pace of life is slower in Venice (in a good way). People are not in a hurry. The locals appreciate that they live in the surroundings of breathtaking beauty. One person told me that his "home city is one of the world's best museums", and he cherished living here.

I cannot seem to get enough of Venice. The camera shutter goes off like telegraph machine as each turn of a corner brings something eye-catching.

We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Networking Your Way To The Superbowl

When you have a diverse network of amazing people you will have unique opportunities that will come your way. Sometimes you don't even know how these events could impact your life..... and worse.... sometimes you could just say "nah, not this time" and miss out all together.

In December a friend mentioned that he and some buddies were going to the Superbowl, since they try to attend when the game is held on the West Coast (they both live in the Bay Area). Having been five years ago to San Diego, they knew that Phoenix, with it's new University Of Phoenix Stadium and the undefeated New England Patriots on the field would make for a historical game (By the way, I think it is a brilliant marketing ploy by the on-line college to purchase the naming rights to a football stadium.... the irony is not lost on me!). But nobody knew just how great this game would be.

My friend casually invited me to join them and I declined. I was concerned about vacation days, costs, and I was not sure my wife would support a boondoggle trip of a boys-weekend at the Superbowl.

When I mentioned to my wife about having turned down the invitation, she was dumfounded. For days she encouraged me to call back and sign on for the trip. Finally, she told me to look at the weekend as an extra Christmas present and to go live the experience of Superbowl XLII. Sara is actually the football fan in the house (get out of the way if the 49ers are playing!), but she recognized that one should go for it when such an opportunity arrives.

Who could have known that I would be attending onw of the most amazing Superbowls ever played?

Tickets were hard to come by, but not impossible. We all worked our networks, including trying to solicit help from a friend's brother who is a former two-time Superbowl NY Giant. We surfed Craig's List for days, watching the prices slowly creep down over the two days leading up to the game. And we talked to scalpers outside the Staduim who were in a race with the clock to get a top price before kick-off would sink the value of their gold-like tickets. The process itself was an experience. We got seats, and without sharing the final price (lower than you might think if you listened to the news reports), I can tell you that in retrospect the end result was worth twice as much as we paid. I shudder to think I had said "no" when invited, and can't thank my wife enough for making me go for it.

Since I did not have any ties to either the Patriots or the New York Giants, I became a Giant's fan as the delegate of my older brother, Bill, who lives in New Jersey and been a fan for decades. My two other brothers, who live in California, were rooting against Bill's beloved Giants, hoping for the Pats to go 19-0. Historical, yes, but you gotta love routing for the underdog, and witnessing a true Cinderella story unfold on the gridiron below. Having a horse in the race sure made a difference, as the emotional highs and lows of this game were stupendous (especially in the 4th quarter).... and probably made me a lifetime fan of the NY Giants! Having someone to cheer for makes watching a game just that much better!

If you have the chance to go to a Superbowl, Kentucky Derby, Presidential Inauguration, World Series, or other major event that interests you..... don't think "nah".... think "YEAH!". There are ways to get there. Make sure people in your network know your passions and interests. If they do not know what you desire, they will not think of you for such things.

Be prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they cross your path. I am glad I did. Oh, by the way, .... did I mention how great my wife is? Yes, Eli Manning thinks he was the MVP on Sunday, but in my book the MVP is my wife for making this happen for me!!!

Come back the rest of this week for three more blog entries about my trip to Phoenix and the Superbowl, as too much happened that was "blog-worthy" to put into one post.

Have A Great Day.

thom

http://www.thomsinger.com/

Photo taken with my camera phone at kick-off. More pics later in the week, as my camera broke so I only have a few from the phone, but some nice people took pics and promised to email them to me. I hope they do!

Blarney Certified Professional Speaker

As a professional business speaker I could not pass up the opportunity to kiss the "Legendary Stone of Eloquence". This mystical stone, set high in an outside wall of the famous Blarney Castle in County Cork, Ireland, has been kissed by American presidents, world leaders, and international entertainers, and promises to give one the ability to never be at a loss for words.

The legend of the Blarney Stone is that an old witch cast a spell on the stone to reward a Scottish King who saved her from downing. The stone was believed to have special powers, and thus the kings of Scotland were crowned over the magical rock . Kissing the stone would give the kings the power to talk sweetly and to persuade others to their point of view. The stone was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert The Bruce (of Scotland) for his support in battle in 1314. Later, McCarthy's descendant negotiated with the British crown, and creatively found a way to let both sides "win", causing Queen Elizabeth I to proclaim that he was giving her "a lot of Blarney". Since that time it has been believed that anyone who kisses this stone will have "the gift of gab", and the ability to persuade.

The difference between "blarney" and "baloney" is the following:

Baloney is when you tell a fifty-year-old woman that she looks eighteen. Blarney is when you ask an older woman her age, because you want to know the age at which a woman is most beautiful.

Having grown up in a large talkative Irish family (my mother was one of ten, and I am the youngest of twenty-six grandchildren), the legend of Blarney was one that I had heard many times. Being a verbose kid, my mother used to warn me never to kiss that stone! Millions of people have made the pilgrimage to this ancient castle, to experience the fabled rock. To kiss it you must hang over the edge of the castle. In years past they held you by your ankles, but now they play it much safer. Leaning back and holding the metal bars, you still feel freaked out by the sensation. Not to mention that the rock is cold and slimy when you kiss it.

Bill Clinton mentioned at a 2004 fundraiser that he had kissed the Blarney Stone, causing Jay Leno to muse that "Clinton had originally denied it, claiming that the stone had kissed him." (If I had known Clinton had kissed the stone before me I might have rethought the whole thing!).

So now I am a Blarney Certified Professional Speaker, and I am not even going to raise my speaking fee.

Have A Great Day.

thom
http://www.thomsinger.com/

Threading the Needle

The drawback to Ireland's phenomenal economic growth over the past decade is that the basic infrastructure that we take for granted in the United States has not been able to keep up. This is most clear to those who have to take to the roads and drive a car in Ireland. This was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

The government is building and expanding the roads with great speed and enthusiasm, but Ireland is a big country, and once you are outside of Dublin (or the other larger cities) you find yourself on narrow two lane roads that were designed for the traffic of two decades ago, when few Irish had cars. They have recently added traffic circles at every corner, and the local motorists seem to find these akin to a fast paced wild video game.

Now that everyone has an automobile, they drive them with great speed and enthusiasm. The speed limit on the skinny and curvy roads is 100 Kilometers per hour, which is fast once you consider that the on coming traffic is also going at equally high speed with only a thin white line in the middle. Also, there are no shoulders on these roads, so the slightest miscalculation of a turn and one could easily end up off the road or worse.

Ireland was my first experience driving on the left side of the road. I never got used to going to the opposite side of the car, and more than once found myself seated in the passenger side with my keys in hand. Hmmmmm. Ooops.

With the crazy roads and even crazier drivers I felt that I was putting my life, and the safety of my family, into the hands of all the other drivers who were going the other direction (an often believed that this faith was misguided!). They seemed confident in their ability to navigate their cars at high speeds through the winding countryside. The truckers and tour buses are what really scared the hell out of me, as their vehicles were wider than the lanes, but this fact did not seem to slow them down.

I had no choice, I had to drive on each day toward our next destination. The trip was an adventure, and like any good quest, there comes with it some anxiety and fear. In the end, we survived (although each county had road signs posting the number of head-on-collision deaths in the past four years, which did not build confidence!) and the frightening part of driving in these conditions just became part of my Irish experience.

Have A Great Day.

thom
www.thomsinger.com

Amazing Emerald Isle

The last stop of my family's European adventure was six days in Ireland. The Emerald Isle is amazing. The beauty of the country is beyond description. Every shade of green appears on the hillsides and the people are the nicest on the planet. At every turn we impressed with their friendly and welcoming attitudes.

I have wanted to visit Ireland for longer than I can remember. My maternal grandparents were born there, and I grew up amongst stories of my grandfather's childhood in rural County Mayo. He moved to America with his three younger siblings when his parents died suddenly. There was no future for the family in the poverty stricken country. He was seventeen and went on to create a good life in his new land (he loved America and everything it stood for), but he carried within him the spirit of his Irish heart.

My mother never made it to Ireland, although I know she had always desired to make the trip (she was born in California). I know that she was with us as we traveled her parent's homeland, and on some level I feel we were there for her.

Two decades ago, if you had told the governments of Italy, Germany and France that they should look to Ireland for economic advice you would have been laughed out of the European Union. For centuries Ireland was one of the poorest countries in Europe. However, in the past fifteen years it has become a hub for high tech companies and other innovative business growth. The Irish have prospered. Known today as the economic "Emerald Tiger", other countries are studying and hoping to replicate their success.

These new found economic windfalls have lead to amazing growth and opportunity. With that has come traffic congestion, immigration issues, and other problems of the modern world. Ireland is now one of the most expensive countries in which to live in Europe, and one sees that cost when eating every meal for a week in restaurants.

Yet the natural beauty of the place somehow transcends everything. The Irish continue to have the a friendly demeanor toward neighbors and strangers. While the French tell you "Merci" with every interaction, you somehow do not feel their "thank you" is rooted with any sincerity. However, when the Irish say "Thanks A Million", it grabs at your heart and you know they are consumed with honest gratitude.

One visit to Ireland was not enough. I will cherish the opportunity to spend more time there in the future, but a week did not do it justice. We will go back, and invest in soaking up the culture, countryside and surprisingly delicious cuisine. The country is a wonderful example of re-invention while still masterfully maintaining it's generous heritage. We should all do that!

Have A Great Day.

thom
www.thomsinger.com

Caught In The Rain

My daughters were playing at the park in the Luxembourg Gardens in the heart of Paris when the rains came.

With all the museums, monuments, shopping and culinary delights, Jackie and Kate prefer this playground to any other activity in the lovely French capital city. Granted, there is a classic merry-go-round, a zip-line, and more kids than one can count all running, jumping, sliding and playing. Additionally one can get a yummy strawberry crepe right there in the park.

The rain was just a drizzle at the start as we began to make out way out of the large garden, but then it really began to pour. We had umbrellas, but they were little help. We made a run for it. We ducked under trees, and looked for the fastest way out...running and laughing all the way.

The rain stopped as fast as it arrived. Our soaking wet crew found our way into a welcoming sidewalk cafe where some hot chocolate warmed the body and soul.

We were drenched, but if one has to be caught in the rain, how wonderful to be caught in the rain in Paris.

I learned from the kids not to worry about the discomfort of being wet, but instead to find the joy and laughter in the experience. They loved it. And you know what? We dried out and were back on track in no time.

How many times in life do we let the dark clouds ruin our day? Why do we do that? Why not just make a run for it and keep smiling? This is a lesson I hope to retain. No rain (actual or metaphorically) can spoil my day!

Have A Great Day.

thom
www.thomsinger.com

Chef Ronald

I am always thrilled when I see entrepreneurs who have found a niche in which they prosper. Chef Ronald of Marseilles is such a man. He lives and works in the Provence region of France, where people come from around the world to rent large houses and chateaus to experience living in the French countryside, even for just a week.

Ronald has created a business serving those on holiday, literally!

It was recommended by the landlord that we hire this professionally trained authentic French chef to create a masterpiece of a meal for our large band of vacationing families. The eleven adults and three older kids would be treated to a culinary delight that none will soon forget. (The older kids would eat first, and then take the nine younger children upstairs for the evening....and were able to keep them occupied for hours while the parents delighted in the evening on the patio. Yes, we paid the older kids for their services....and worth every Euro!)

It is not everyday that one gets to see a professional chef in action, and then sample the fruits of his labor on the edge of a vineyard seated at a beautifully set table while sipping amazing French wine.

The mussels, cheeses, duck, potatoes, vegetables and dessert were all works of art for the eyes and the taste buds. We laughed, talked, ate, drank and delighted in the evening (and the kids never needed help, fought, screamed or cried!!!). It was one of those rare perfect moments in life.

Chef Ronald has created a business of "wow". His expertise in the kitchen translates to enjoyment for his hungry customers. Each day he cooks in a different kitchen (although many are familiar to him, since these houses get new crops of guests each week) for gatherings of people from a variety of countries. His skills bring not only a warm and satisfying meal, but memories that can never be repeated.

It got me wondering why we do not find other simple ways in our daily lives to create these types of amazing moments. Granted, we do not always have fancy locations and expert chefs at our disposal, but we do have access to the people in our lives who really are the core of such an evening.

I hope to go forth and bring more spectacular into my life and those around me.

Have A Great Day.

thom
www.thomsinger.com

Good Friends - Good Wine

The opportunity to join friends in France lead us to Provence and for a wonderful adventure exploring a very beautiful part of our world.

From what I was told, the house was not officially a "Chateau", but it was a darn big house that was able to hold six families. Located in the French countryside alongside a vineyard, this was a delightful place to spend a week with some old friends, as well as some new ones.

There were 11 adults and 12 kids (under age twelve), and from the moment we walked in the door it was a wonderful atmosphere of "good times had by all". My kids were in the pool within five minutes of arrival, which in any country translates to pure joy. My wife and I were greeted by our friends who immediately poured us a nice glass of wine...which also translates to pure joy!

The food, the wine and the ability to sit on the vine covered patio at sunset reminded me that while work is important, one must stop and smell the lavender (which grew in abundance along the side of the perfectly green lawn).

Each day the first to wake would go to the local boulangerie for fresh bread and pastries. Following a relaxing morning on the patio, we would go in groups (large or small) to visit the unique Provencial towns that were within driving distance. The pace of life in the open air markets was much slower and more peaceful than in a crowded supermarket or shopping mall. Everyone seemed to know each other, and smiles were everywhere.

Don't get me wrong, we were still in France where rude is just part of life when it comes to strangers. One shop owner was talking bad about the customers (us) in French to her friend, not knowing that one of our clan was fluent in the romance language. We decided not to buy from this store.

Also, the French lack a sense of urgency that we Americans seem to have about everything. I am not saying we are right and they are wrong....just different. In fact, I admire the slow pace of my vacation...but while a two or three hour lunch seemed common, sometimes we just wanted the check so we could move on before the children were bored to tears.

I learned to enjoy the slow pace of life in Provence and to allow myself the opportunity to simply enjoy the world around me. I wish I could bring part of that home with me, but I fear that now that I have returned to Austin, the speed of life will return to supersonic.

We relished the joy of everyday in discovering the region. I came to appreciate that I can survive without having to check my email or cell phone, as in 17 days I only turned them on four times. Experiencing the moment and soaking up the pleasure of being with dear friends and family touched my heart.

Have A Great Day.

thom
www.thomsinger.com

Merci Marseilles

The first day of our two week escape to Europe was in Marseilles, France. Nobody slept well on the plane trip, which involved flights from Austin to Chicago, Chicago to Brussels, and Brussels to Marseilles.

All had gone well, the flights were on time, the kids were well behaved (yeah!), and best of all we were now in France.

Alas, the line at Hertz was unbelievable. I have never seen a line this long for anything. Think for a moment about the longest line you have ever seen at a rental car counter. Do you see this in your mind. Yikes, that is long, right? Well this was longer. It snaked though the parking lot and took over two hours to reach the counter.

This was a cultural lesson, because in the United States people would have been irate to stand in the hot sun, but alas, everyone was in great spirits. Granted, few were speaking English, but everybody was just taking the situation in stride. One kind traveler from Germany shared that Americans expect everything fast, yet Europeans go with the flow.

When we finally reached our hotel the day degraded even further. We had only one night in Marseilles before joining friends at a large Chateau, and the hotel, which looked very appealing on Hotels.com, was substandard. It was located in a very bad part of town that did not feel safe.

While the hotel lobby and rooms were renovated, the area was frightening. They locked the doors at 7PM (guests were given a code to get in the doors) to keep the outside out. Additionally the room smelled really bad. We all settled down to nap, and I whispered to my wife, "would you be happier if I called an got us a room at the Radisson tonight instead?" She did not have to think twice.

I spoke to Frank at the beautiful new Radisson Hotel on the Old Harbor in the heart of Marseilles. He was very helpful and booked us two rooms. We immediately moved. It made all the difference in the world. Frank and the staff of the hotel transformed our misserable day.

We had dinner in the most charming bistro, Le Fetiche Restaurant on Rue Saens. Jean Claude who was either the owner or the worlds best waiter (or both) delivered amazing service. The much needed wine hit the spot, and the food was truly delicious. Our day was complete with gellato for the kids (and the parents).

The next day we took a tour that included a visit to the church on the top of the hill, The Norte Dame de Gare. The view of the city was amazing and we left Marseilles with only fond memories. Victory rescued from the jaws of defeat.

A good lesson that a bad experience or two can quickly be erased if you have the right attitude.

Have A Great Day.

thom
www.thomsinger.com