Catching a Ray of Sunshine

In yet another heart-melting display of wonder, our little angel was, quite literally, trying to catch a ray of sunshine.

The Alligator King

an important lesson , my 2 little swamp gators!

Love,

Daddy Rex

High Praise, Indeed....

A wonderful quote by Comp, as relayed to me recently by Jasinski: "As Comp often says, '[Guzilla]'s friends are a collection of misfits and freaks... then you realize you are one of them.'"

High praise, indeed... To you dear friends!

Friends Are Family You Choose

Zoo Wisdom

I particularly like the quote carved in stone above their heads: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - from "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver.

The Unholy Hat Trick

Over the last decade, the 3 cities I love the most / have lived in -- New York, New Orleans & Tokyo -- have all experienced a major catastrophe, thanks to Mother Nature & Islamic terrorists. A little too much perspective, especially considering my 2 Goddaughters were / are in 2 of those towns.

Heavy Is The Head That Wears the Crown

As a struggling start-up entrepreneur I frequently have to engage in pointed debate or make difficult & sometimes unpleasant decisions. It had not yet occurred to me to skip town & hide out across state lines to avoid the burdens of leadership.

Thank you Wisconsin & Indiana for a different approach. Less "Dale Carnegie" & more "Dukes of Hazzard."

By (stark) contrast, 66 years ago today was an example of stunning bravery. Iwo Jima.

Last Day As a Baby!

Birthday Eve!

apparently the day before one's birthday is an opportunity for quiet, snowy reflection. with a stuffed frog in one's mouth...

A Minor Christmas Miracle

On our way out of NYC just now, the Wyfe clipped a Mini Cooper. Got out to inspect the damage & the other driver said, "This is nothing. I just left a funeral for a friend who died in a plane crash." Char gave her a big hug & everyone was off. It was a minor ding but a massive dose of perspective. Hold your loved ones tight. And have a very Merry Christmas.

After they hugged the Security Guard at a nearby garage had a huge grin on his face & said, "I like that!"

A minor Christmas miracle & I hope that nice grieving lady gets whatever she wants for Christmas. She can even have one of my presents...

Gen. Hugh Shelton

This guy is as legit as it gets & it thrills me that we have men like him at the highest ranks. It is sobering how much rides on moral courage. (And I believe you already know how I feel about Stewart & Colbert.) Watch this clip, or watch the shorter broadcast version HERE.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Hugh Shelton Extended Interview
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Grandpa Shares Wisdom

A Toast (circa 1937)

I give you a man dedicated to the good things of life, to the gentle, the heartfelt things, to good living, and to the kindly rites with which it is surrounded. In all the clash of a plangent world he holds firm to his ideal - a gracious existence in that country of content "where slower clocks strike happier hours". He stands in spirit on a tall-columned veranda, a hospitable glass in his hand, and he looks over the good and fertile earth, over ripening fields, over meadows of rippling blue grass. The rounded note of a horn floats through the fragrant stillness. Afar, the sleek and shining flanks of a thoroughbred catch the bright sun. The broad door, open wide with welcome... the slow, soft-spoken word... the familiar step of friendship... all this is his life and it is good. He brings fair judgment to sterner things. He is proud in the traditions of his country, in ways that are settled and true.
In a trying world darkened by hate and misunderstanding, he is a symbol of those virtues in which men find gallant faith and of the good men might distill from life. Here he stands then. In the finest sense, an epicure... a patriot... a man. Gentlemen, I give you the Kentucky Colonel.

Guzilla Law re: Boats

Courage

From The Master... (tip of the hat to Sugarpants)

Leighton's First Postcard

from his Grandfather while they were vacationing in the Dominican Republic. words of wisdom...

Will Wright Lecture

Why games are good for learning, from the Master. At NYU. A tremendous amount of information, ultimately validating our approach. I am enthused...

Letters To Li'l Gator

Dear Li'l Gator:

Your Father was never perfect. You may find that hard to believe (and he may sometimes think it's a rumor too) but Mama, as she points out in her commentary during this video, reminds yo' Daddy that, occasionally, he misses a line.

Take that as a lesson my son or daughter. It's okay to miss a line now and then. But the show must go on. So sing. Love. Dance. Laugh too loudly. It's okay to miss a line. Now and then.

Make your way. The only way you know how.

But always know we love you.

Wouldn't change if we could...

Chris Dodd

As most of you know, I am DEEPLY apolitical. I love character. So I love John McCain. But I am a registered independent. Both parties have let me down.

But I am very proud of where I am from. And after a self-serving tour in the Senate, The Great State of Connecticut's Senator Chris Dodd said he wouldn't run again with this line that truly, truly bothers me:

"There's nothing more pathetic, in my view, than a politician who announces they are only leaving public life to spend more time with their family."

But at least he had the class to make this announcement with his family standing right behind him.

How dare you sir. Is there really nothing more pathetic? Or have you just let the public in on the secret that that term is code for someone who has stepped down because they don't want anything untoward brought to the fore? Like you knew you couldn't win the next election because of your scandals?

No matter what I do, no matter where my career takes me, if I ever had to step down to take care of my family, I would be God DAMNED if it wasn't the right thing to do that made me do it.

NOTHING could ever be more important. So how DARE YOU compare career and the concept of family. Or even worse...

Politics.

How dare you sir.

and I mention that because...

this is how I feel....

Erik Weihenmayer's Lecture

wow... VERY inspirational. Erik is the only blind person to have climbed the Seven Summits - the highest peak on each continent, including Everest. His bio is HERE.