Greg Hartnett

Over the last few years I have grown more and more interested in Buddhism. I find it helps me to focus on what’s important and keeps me centered. While I am nowhere near the ultimate destination of enlightenment, I have begun the journey, and each day proves another opportunity for learning and growth.

Recently I finally began to try meditating. I had been reluctant to give it a shot, figuring there would be no way that I’d be able to quiet my mind. Fortunately I have found that with mindful awareness, I have made strides in meditating, and now actually get a few moments of clarity. Sometimes I sit on the floor of my office and devote a half hour to meditation. Other times I try to grab a quickie - maybe five or ten minutes while I sit waiting for my wife (which I do a lot).

The objective of meditation is to just be. Sit and clear the mind. Recognize the thoughts as they arise and let them go. But it takes a little while to get there. I usually sit and repeatedly go through a mantra or two before I’m able to get there. My current mantra is from Buddhist meditation master, Kalu Rinpoche:

We live in illusion
And the appearance of things.
There is a reality.
We are that reality.
When you understand this,
You see that you are nothing.
And being nothing,
You are everything.
That is all.

I received the following email yesterday afternoon:

Hi Greg,

My name is Tamara and I’m a producer on a Spike TV show called “World’s Most Amazing Videos.” My producers and I saw a video of some pee wee hockey
players brawling on the ice with your website posted at the end. Is this
your footage? If so, we want to license this from you for use on our show.

Please contact me at 323.468.xxxx or xxxxxx@nashentertainment.com.

Thanks,

Tamara xxxxxx
Segment Producer
Nash Entertainment
1438 N. Gower Street
Bldg. 35, Room 150
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-468-xxxx phone
323-468-xxxx fax

I’ve dealt with “producers” from a couple of other outlets in the past looking to get their dirty little hands on my hockey fight video, so I was somewhat prepared for how the interaction would play out. Sure that nothing would come out of it, I decided to kill some time while the SureWest guys finished off my new fiber optic installation.

From the onset of our call I had a bad taste in my mouth. Tamara sounded like the typical Hollywood producer - self absorbed and as shallow as a puddle after a spring shower. She sprung right into action, telling me how great her show is and what they wanted to do with my video. She never took a moment to learn about me or my son, nor did she even pretend to care about what I thought about giving them permission to use my video. She simply ripped through what she wanted to say, throwing out a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo, and finishing off with a recap of what they’d need in order to make it happen. She then offered me a whopping $500. Wow - even the guys at Country Fried Home Videos ( a show on the Country Music Channel) started off at $1000.

I told Tamara that I had no interest in letting them use my video for $500. I told her that if they wanted to use it, they’d have to pony up with considerably more money. I think I caught her off guard (I guess most people just jump at the $500) because she got a little flustered and told me that she’d have to pass me off to her senior producer to negotiate further.

Next on the line was Jenni - a senior producer who had the power to offer me more money. After a few moments of speaking with Jenni, it occurred to me that self absorption and shallowness must be a prerequisite for a job in Hollywood. Jenni provided me with much of the same information that Tamara had gone through, but she was able to offer me $750 for non-exclusive production rights.

At this point, I was finally able to explain to them that I wasn’t interested in their offer at these dollar amounts. I tried to explain to her (though I don’t know if she either didn’t understand, or just didn’t care) that the video was hosted on my blog, which is completely non-commercial in nature. I told her that the original version of the video - the one hosted on my blog - contained music that is copyrighted by System of a Down. I’m not currently concerned about the copyright as I’m not making any money whatsoever off the video or the blog, and both are provided to the public under the Fair Use clause of the copyright law. If I started taking money for use of the video, I wouldn’t be able to claim Fair Use, and may open myself up to potential liabilities.

This seemed to have resonated a bit with Jenni, eliciting a new offer of one thousand dollars. I quickly retorted that she was still not even in the ballpark of a number that would get me remotely interested. When she asked me how much it would take to get me interested, I replied “definitely north of 10 grand”. I think this irked her a bit because she got on the defensive, even insulting my video: “The video isn’t that great - it’s not like somebody is hanging off a cliff or something.”

I know that the video isn’t necessarily worth that much, but that’s what it would have taken to get me interested in pursuing it any further. It would have caused a paradigm shift for me, and could have potentially opened a can of worms - that’s what the $10,000 was for.

Needless to say, you won’t be seeing JR any time soon on the World’s Most Amazing Videos.

Yesterday was a bummer.

I received a phone call from my sister-in-law Friday afternoon informing me that my Golden Retriever, Simba, had taken a turn for the worse. In early April, I noticed a large (lemon sized) bump on his back. After bringing him in to see a vet, he was unfortunately diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. The vet informed me that it would be foolish to try to battle such an aggressive strain of cancer for a dog in the twilight of life.

So for the last few months, we had watched Simba transform from a strong, energetic dog into a shell of his former self. The tumor on his back grew to the size of a small watermelon, and Thursday night actually broke through his skin. Friday morning he woke with a fever, and could barely move. So after a long conversation, my wife and I decided that it was time to euthanize him. His condition was only worsening, and we couldn’t bear to have him suffer.

So I woke early Saturday morning, and made the 110 mile trip to San Francisco (Simba had been staying with my sister-in-law for the last week) to put my dog down. Most of the drive I spent in contemplation, remembering the times we spent together, and how I could have been a better owner, and provided him with a better life.

I picked him up shortly before 10AM at my sister-in-law’s, and after lifting him up and putting him in the back of my pick-up, we made the journey to the vet’s, just 10 blocks away, though it seemed an eternity to get there.

Upon arrival at the vet, we waited in the reception area until they were ready for us. Simba wanted to mingle with the other dogs in the office, completely oblivious to his imminent demise. After waiting for approximately 15 minutes, we were ushered into a small examination area, equipped with little more than a x-ray machine and an examination table.

After speaking briefly with the vet, I gently picked Simba up and placed him on the examination table. The vet told us what to expect (it’s basically an overdose of anesthesia), and assured us that he would experience no pain whatsoever during the process. So we spent the next couple of minutes saying our goodbyes while the doctor prepared the solution.

And then came one of the most difficult and powerful moments I have yet to experience. As the doctor administered the lethal injection, I held Simba’s head in my arms, and whispered “I love you” over and over again into his ear. I placed his nose against my mine, and felt the warm, salty tears begin to flow freely down my cheeks and onto my lips. I squeezed tightly and assured him that everything was going to be OK. And then, he was gone. His eyes, though still open, were completely unresponsive, and his body was limp. I peered into his eyes, only to see a small refection of myself staring back at me (I wish I hadn’t done that - that image will haunt me). I couldn’t get his eyes to stay shut, so in an attempt to avoid that death stare, I folded his left ear over his eye. I then held him for another minute or two until my sobbing had subsided.

Once the ordeal was completed, I hopped into my truck and sped home as fast as I could. My in-laws wanted to take me out to lunch, but all I could think of was returning home to sulk on my couch. So I drove home - silently the entire way. When I got back, I held Simba’s collar in my hand, and took one last trip where we used to take our daily walks. When I got home, I couldn’t contain the emotion, and stood bawling in my kitchen for a few minutes - it felt great to let it out, alone and unfettered.

Simba, you were truly a great dog, and you will be missed. Thank you for all the great times we had. Thanks for letting my kids pull your ears, ride on you, and treat you as their own amusement park. I could not have asked for a better dog - I love you Simba.

Most people think it is impossible to change our government, yet they fail to remember that they are the government. The government is simply an extension of the people, serving the implicit and explicit wishes of the populace. Our daily lives have the most to do with the situation of the world. If we can change our daily lives, we can change our governments and we can change the world.

Nourish awareness and compassion will follow.

Do not say that I’ll depart tomorrow
because even today I still arrive.

Look deeply: I arrive in every second
to be a bud on a spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, whose wings are still fragile,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.

I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
in order to fear and to hope,
the rhythm of my heart is the birth and death
of all that are alive.

I am the mayfly
metamorphosing on the surface of the river.
And I am the bird which, when spring comes,
arrives in time to eat the mayfly.

I am the frog swimming happily
in the clear water of a pond,
and I am also the grass-snake who,
approaching in silence, feeds itself on the frog.

I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin as bamboo sticks.
And I am the arms merchant,
selling deadly weapons to Uganda.

I am the twelve-year-old-girl, refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean
after being raped by a sea pirate,
and I am the pirate,
my heart not yet capable of seeing and loving.

I am a member of the politburo,
with plenty of power in my hands.
And I am the man
who has to pay his “debt of blood” to my people,
dying slowly in a forced labor camp.

My joy is like Spring, so warm it makes flowers bloom,
my pain is like a river of tears,
so full it fills up the four oceans.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and my laughs at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are but one.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up,
and so the door of my heart can be left open,
the door of compassion.

- Thich Nhat Hanh, 1976

One month ago today I returned from a boarding trip to Whistler. The trip was truly amazing - we got approximately 6 inches (15-20 cm) of new snow every day, and despite a minor illness that crimped my style, I was able to get six days straight on the hill(s). Pics - Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 . Videos here and here.

Six days straight of snowboarding in fresh powder on some of the most challenging terrain I have ever been on definitely sent me home with some sore muscles. Sore in a good sort of way. Sore in a way that I haven’t felt in 10 years. My arms felt a bit tighter, my legs burned, and my stomach muscles were screaming. I felt good - the best I had felt in some time.

So I decided to keep the ball rolling. I wanted to continue physically exerting myself on a daily basis - pushing my body in an effort to build strength. I had decided to go get a work out bench and some free weights, but before doing that, I wanted to make sure that my body was ready for it (no need to get a bench and have it sit around collecting dust). So the day after my return, I started a daily exercise routine of push ups and sit ups (crunches).

I started with sets of twenty push ups and twenty crunches, 3 times daily - once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening. Over the course of the next few weeks, I increased the repetitions and the numbers of sets, and introduced some cardio work into my daily routine (jumping rope). In one month’s time, I have shaved two inches off my waist line and increased my upper body strength considerably. I find myself paying attention to nutrition information (I can’t believe how much crap is in so much of our food) and making healthier choices (grabbing some fruit instead of a Snickers).

I have since begun lifting weights a few times a week, but I still make sure to do my push ups and crunches each day. Now I have gotten into the following routine: two times during the morning, I do 35 push ups and 25 crunches; twice in the afternoon I do 45 push ups and 30 crunches; some rope jumping in the afternoon (10-15 minutes); and, twice in the evening I do 35 push ups and an additional 25 crunches.

I have made push ups and crunches the cornerstone of my exercise program. They are quick to complete (less than 3 minutes per set), and can be done anywhere (no excuses for traveling). Start with a handful of push ups a day, and slowly increase the number of repetitions. Once you get into the swing of it, increase the number of sets you perform. After a couple/few weeks, introduce some cardio work (this really helps to shed the pounds). As long as you can commit to a minimum number of sets and reps per day, you too could be on your way to a healthier body.

I bought them for my kids for Christmas. At first my wife wanted to buy just one for them to share, but after we agreed that her suggestion may be the worst idea ever, we opted to get them each their own. A pink one for Téa and a white one for JR. They got a handful of games each from assorted grandparents and such. It made for the ideal gift. Suffice it to say that they love ‘em.

Unfortunately, we had to return JR’s. For some unknown reason, the battery just wouldn’t take a charge. We made the purchase at Costco and they have an awesome return policy (though I hear some of their employees are no smarter than your average dolphin), so getting my money back wasn’t an issue. However, they no longer carry the Nintendo DS Lite, so I have been trying to find a replacement.

After checking my local Target, Toys R Us, and EBGames to no avail, I have begun my online search. Instead of doing the legwork myself, I was hoping that one of my readers may know of an online spot that I can grab one - preferably around the $150 level (give or take a handful of dollars).

So pick out your favorite spot - make it your affiliate page. Help me help you

I need to get it within the next few days, so if nobody comes up with any recommendations, I’ll be forced to go it alone.

I have set a goal for myself of 40 days on the mountain this season. With the month of December behind me, I’m on target to hit my number. Currently I’ve got 9 days on the hill - all day trips to either Sugarbowl or Northstar. Most of them were solo runs, with a few trips up with the wife and kids.

Getting my kids boarding was a primary concern for me this season, and thus far they are doing great. JR has 4 days under his belt, and Téa has three. They have both taken a few lessons, but definitely still need some additional instruction before I feel comfortable letting them rip it up. They both really need to get their turns down a bit more, and they need to work on their control. My son in particular needs to get some respect for the mountain, and not just point his board straight downhill.

I have a bunch of pictures of the kids on the mountain - check out the day sets at my Flickr account. Additionally, I’ve got a quick clip of JR coming down the bunny hill. Most of it is him flopping around, trying to get up (a very important part of the learning process). Check out his little jumps - a “trick” he taught himself

Every once in awhile one of these viral, online tag games sprouts up. Kind of a geeky way of saying hello to your buddies in the blogosphere, and a nice way to kill time and come up with something to post. A couple of my friends, Dave and Adam, hit me with a link, thus calling me out to reveal 5 things that most people probably don’t know about me.

1. I have been fired from just about every job I ever had.
2. I voted for George Bush Sr. What can I say? I was young and thought that I had to be a Republican to be rich.
3. I bartended at a gay bar. And not just any gay bar, but an after-hours, leather, bear-crowd bar.
4. I dropped out of college. Not because I had some awesome business idea, but because I was afraid of growing up.
5. I was hit by a car just before I was three - it nearly killed me, and left me with permanent scars (physical and mental).

So there you have it. Probably more than you needed (wanted) to know.

I am going to branch out of my circle of friends a bit with my choices of who to tag. Why not - maybe they’ll bite. Some of the blogs that I read that I’d love to learn more about the authors: presenter extraordinaire, Guy Kawasaki; whiz-kid, Aaron Swartz; fighter of the good fight, The Freeway Blogger; Yahoo troublemaker, Jeremy Zawodny; self help guru, Steve Pavlina.

Courtesy of Flickr, a very cool easter egg for the holidays. Just insert the text “ho ho ho hat” or “ho ho ho beard” into a note and presto - some holiday cheer. I showed JR and he insisted on adding hats and beards to everything.

Now that we are out of the warm weather, it’s time for me to start thinking about winter activities. Now that I live just 60 miles outside of Tahoe, it’s tough to not think about it. In fact, I have begun taking Tahoe weather into account for my daily planning.

Yesterday marked opening day at Sugarbowl - my new home mountain. A couple of weeks ago I purchased season passes for me, Lily, and the two kids (JR is actually free for the next two seasons). The passes that I bought are actually good at both Sugarbowl and my favorite resort - Kirkwood, so depending upon conditions, I’ll have a couple of options to choose from.

The news this morning is calling for a major storm coming in off of the Pacific. It’s a bit further north, but looks to be coming straight for us. Weather forecasters are calling for 1.5 inches of rain here, and up to 18 inches of snow in the mountains. Our first big dump of the year! So after I throw some breakfast down my throat, I’ll pack up the family and head up the hill - time to get our pictures taken and get our passes. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get my legs on later this week. It’s gonna be a goooood winter.

Update: I was able to pick up our season passes and beat it home before the snow really kicked in. I uploaded the pics to a new set.

Throughout my life, I never would have considered myself a morning person. When I was enrolled in college, many a day would pass that saw me finally emerge from my room close to the dinner hour - just in time to pretty myself up, and get ready for another evening of rabble rousing. I dreaded waking up in the morning, and the only time I ever got up pre-6 AM was if I was headed to the mountain.

As an adult, I have grown to love the mornings. I find that my days are filled with distractions - some self imposed, most external. When I worked in an office, most distractions came from coworkers. Now that I am working from home, my family has filled that role nicely. Between taking the kids to school, playing with them upon their return, and helping my wife with daily tasks, I lose hours of productivity each day. I found myself staying up later at night in an effort to make up for lost productivity. But those hours at the end of the day were tough to work through and remain focused on the task at hand.

Approximately two years ago, I decided that the only way for me to “do the needful” and maintain a meaningful personal life was to start my day earlier. So I set about creating a plan to get my ass in to work earlier. After some trial and error, I discovered the best way to accomplish it was in baby steps.

So I started off by setting my alarm clock 15 minutes earlier than I used to. Anybody can wake up 15 minutes earlier - it doesn’t take much will power. After a week of waking at the earlier time, I set my alarm clock 15 minutes earlier yet again. Continue for another week, and repeat. After the course of a couple of months, I was able to start my day almost three hours earlier than I had previously. Instead of starting my work day at 8 o’clock, I was consistently beginning at 5 AM.

Most other people start their day a few hours later, so I was able to create three hours of distraction-free work. Typically, I use the time to pour through some email and RSS reading (about an hour), and then I use the other two hours to jump into any outstanding projects I may be working on. That way, by the time everyblody else’s day has begun, I know that I have some productivity under my belt.

Another benefit - by waking so early it is damn near impossible to stay up later than 9 or 10 o’clock. I have found that by going to sleep earlier, I watch a lot less television. That should be enough of an incentive to give it a shot. While I don’t know if there is a direct correlation between early rising and success, it makes me feel more productive, and thus puts me in a successful mindset.

Give it a shot, and let me know how it works out for you.

The digital camera I had been using for the last couple of years has all but forsaken me. The batteries won’t stay in properly, and I have trouble getting the lens to fully close. We decided it was time to relegate that camera to kid friendly status, and go out to buy a new one for the adults.

After reading some good reviews - here, here, and here - I decided that the Canon Powershot S3 IS would do the trick. I picked it up at the local Best Buy for $399 - a hundred dollars cheaper than it was advertised just a couple of months ago. With a $25 rebate, I save a few bucks more.

Thus far, I am pleased with the purchase. If you are using Mac OS X, I would recommend not installing the included software as the install is a bit cumbersome, and sets itself as the default. The whole program makes getting to your iPhoto a PITA. I wound up downloading the software, and promptly placing it in the trash. Save yourself the time.

The shooting speed is very quick - one of the best in a comparison done on the CNET review. It’s a bit too large to fit into clothing, so I may still have to pick up a pocket sized camera for traveling. I broke it in with some new pictures, and plan on experimenting much more in the near future. Look out Ansel Adams.

I have always been fascinated with language. Few things do I value more than the intricacies of expression through the verbal and written word. I find that the people I admire most are experts of expression, and fellow language enthusiasts. Some have turned their love of language into a profession: the comedic genius, George Carlin; MIT professor and activist, Noam Chomsky; or master essayist Gore Vidal. All of these men understand and appreciate the role of language in our society, and painstakingly labor in choosing the precise words to convey a particular emotion or thought.

No facet of life is immune from the gravity of communicating properly. From the most serious of issues to the mundane tasks we all run, if you don’t express yourself properly, you’ll find that you don’t get what you desire. I’m sure that you’ll notice that the most successful people are often the most eloquent - surely not a coincidence.

One of my favorite nuances of language is the widespread use of euphemisms - a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing (i.e. downsizing instead of firing). I much prefer the use of dysphemisms, but that just goes with my status of in-house agitator.

There is perhaps no expression that bothers me more than hearing somebody say “Well, to be honest with you…” I used to use the expression as well, until a respected English Literature professor gave me a verbal bitch slap. Most people use the expression to preface a statement that they believe will either surprise, or go against what they believe the listener expects to hear. I understand the use of the expression (serving as a space filler and warning to the listener), but admonish those who utter the phrase. What are you saying to your listener? “OK, now I am going to be honest with you. Before, I may have been bullshitting, but on this rare instance, I am going to tell the truth.” Shouldn’t all of your statements be de facto truthful? Why preface this one statement with the proclamation of honesty? By pointing out the honest intentions of your future remark, you are discounting the inherrent honesty of your previous statements.

You are using the wrong words. Instead of using this obnoxious term, substitute with “Well, quite frankly…” or “To be frank with you”, or “To be blunt”. Any one of those phrases will convey the desired warning (hey listener get ready), without casting a potential shadow of falsification over your previous remarks. In actuality, it’s not honesty that you are preparing your listener for, it’s candidness, or surprise.

So choose your words wisely. Sometimes what you don’t say is just as important as what you do.

I am going to keep from any political agenda on this post…

Today is not the day to point fingers, or second guess. Nor is it the time for political jockeying, name calling, or agenda advancing.

It’s a time for all of us to remember. Remember those poor civilians who lost their lives that fateful morning. Remember the families that shattered as those buildings collapsed. Remember what life was like on September 10, 2001. Remember how we felt safe, and trusted that our leaders would take care of us.

As I sift through all the news commemorating the fifth anniversary of 9/11, I find that I am having trouble keeping the tears at bay. The emotions of the day flood back, as if the events happened only yesterday. I think of the guys that I knew who died that day. Chris Slattery, who grew up across the street from me, and in whose house I had my first sleep over. How did he die? Instantly when the plane hit? I like to think so.

Or Chris Ciafardini. A year younger than I when we went to school together. I never really knew him that well, but we hung out a bit. When I watched the names of the victims in the days that followed 9/11, the name jumped out at me. When I saw a street sign in Oyster Bay commemorating him, I realized that my fears had been justified.

Those signs became all too popular in my old home town. I saw them putting one up for Tim Byrne just up the street from where I grew up. A memorial street sign now hangs ominously over the kids playing on the quiet cul-de-sac, a constant reminder of the heart broken home just around the bend.

I remember seeing flyers adorned on store fronts and light poles, hung by family members desperately seeking information about a loved one. I remember learning from my sister that she had finally gotten in touch with my cousin who had worked at the NYSE. And learning from my father that my cousin, who was at the time a speech writer for Giuliani, was also safe.

I remember reaching out to people I knew who may have been afftected. Talking with Brian as the events unfolded, to learn that his buddy LP had gone missing. Unfortunately, Laurence worked at Cantor Fitzgerald, up on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center. Cantor Fitzgerald saw the highest casualties of any company - almost the entire workforce was decimated that morning.

Today as I work, the emotions of the event linger with me. I remember the tragedy each day, but today I permit myself to remember details and emotions of the day. So today, all I do is remember. Tomorrow, I rant.

We all know that honesty is the best policy. Our parents and teachers have always taught us that you never get ahead with being dishonest, and that being truthful is always the right choice. But is it? Does honesty really pay?

So we all know this, and yet we continue to be less than 100% honest. How many times do you lie, every day? 10 times? 20 times? More?? Each of us does it - every day, we lie. We lie to our spouses, our kids, our boss, officials, coworkers, strangers, business associates, and friends. Hell, we even lie to ourselves.

Why do most of us lie? Fear. The fear of disappointment or negative consequences. The fear of not being seen in the light that we wish to be seen. The fear of rejection. The fear of confrontation.

Now you may be thinking to yourself, “Hey, I don’t lie”. Bullshit. You do. You know it. Have you ever rationalized something to yourself? That’s a lie - sugar coating reality. A rose by any other name… While you may not blatantly lie to another, you are bound to “exaggerate” (lie), fail to mention (lie), gloss over (lie), or rationalize (lie) multiple times daily. There’s really no escaping it - your’e a liar.

What can you do about it? It’s simple really. First, you need to come to the realization that you are not going to be able to please all the people all the time. Your actions and decisions are bound to ruffle some feathers, and you need to be prepared to deal with the fallout. You can’t live your life expecting to never step on any toes. People will accept your decisions, so long as you are truthful and forthright in your explanation. What they won’t forgive is dishonesty.

Secondly, and more difficult, you need to shift your paradigm. Instead of shying away from situations that may require you to be less than 100% honest, embrace those opportunities as a time to shine. Step into a difficult spot, and let your honesty fly. Watch the wonder in others as you step up and take the heat. Take responsibility for a failure, and swell in other’s eyes. Awaken to the realization that other’s will expect you to lie, and will respect you when you surprise them with your honesty.

Finally, see yourself as an example for others to follow. If you are fortunate enough to have children, remember that they will learn through your actions, not your words. Telling them to be honest is merely lip-service. Let them see you live honestly, and they will truly learn. If you have subordinates, remember that they too will follow your lead. Always remember that others are taking their cues from your actions, and it should help when you are feeling weak.

So give it a shot. Try incorporating a little more honesty into your daily routine. Next time you feel the urge to lie, take the alternate route. Muster up the courage to speak honestly - you’ll be glad you did.