Caught in the Whirlwind

My how time flies. Not just because I'm having so much fun, but merely because life is thrown at us so fast. I can't believe that August is almost through and fall is just around the corner. (Not that we really have a fall in Texas, but I have fond memories of a real Autumn in the midwest) If not for some strong tendons and intestinal fortitude I don't know if I would could have kept my head on straight over the last two weeks.

Caleb is starting kindergarten on Monday, but we haven't been so sure for the last two weeks. He caught silent pneumonia two weeks ago and as of Monday of this week he was nearly hospitalized because the initial treatment was not working. We have not been out of the house with him other than some very short errands for two weeks. During that time he was to celebrate his 6th birthday, have his birthday parties, and just enjoy the end of the summer. Instead he has slept a lot and eaten very little. He's currently at the doctor for a follow up visit, so hopefully he's kicked this thing and we'll have our little boy back.

Sam' has gone stir crazy in the house looking after Caleb during the days (and me during the nights). She was able to get out with each of the girls this week for a Mommy/Daughter date night. Keaton and mommy shopped and did the girly things. Bailey and mommy trained for the decathlon and did the Bailey things. It's great to see just how different their little personalities are. Last night Sam' did a Mommy's night out with some friends and had a great time.

I'm glad she's getting out this week because next week it's all her and the kids. I leave to fly out to Anaheim, CA on Sunday morning for a OSHA conference (yippeee...uhh no). On Wednesday I "get to" make the flight from LA to New York. Something about five and a half hours in the stowage sections doesn't make me giddy. The consolation here is that I may get to see the statue of liberty for the first time...we'll see. The last leg of the trip is back into Houston around 6pm on Friday night for the Labor Day weekend.

There is soo much on my plate right now, I'm starting to get dizzy, but this too shall pass. I'm really looking forward to the Olympics being over with as well so I don't feel compelled to stay up until 11:30p each night watching the live action. Fortunately I was able to take a vacation day today to spend with my family....I guess it's kind of the calm in the eye of the storm. I've just gotta brace myself again for the rest of the whirlwind.

Please step Away from the Powerpoint!!

OK, so I've had this pet peeve about PowerPoint for some time now. Everybody thinks that just because they have it and can use it that they should. I would love for congress to pass a law stating that if you don't know the basics of presenting with PowerPoint that the people who you are abusing with it can assault you and beat you over they head with your laptop. I've sat through my share of terrible Powerpoint presentations everywhere it can be used (Church, Work, School...).

You might be thinking, now that's a dumb thing to call a pet peeve, but how much of your life have you wasted due to bad powerpoint? Someone may have a great message, but it is lost in the improper use of Powerpoint behind them. Top executives at our company would rather see powerpoint slides that a project proposal written up like it should be. You can't cover all of the details of a $5M project in 30 slides...it's just not possible.

So why is it so bad? Ignorance I guess. I guess some people think that cutting and pasting text from a paragraph onto the screen then adding a piece of Microsoft standard clip art is adequate. Not only that, then they will proceed to read to you what is on the slide. This may actually be not so bad because they are usually the only one close enough to read the infinitely small print anyway.

So, what is the right way? It's basic. Contrasting colors, smart graphics, and large fonts with only the main topics or subtopics. As a presenter, you should know what's on your Powerpoint so well that you don't have to look at it. It is an aid, not an outline!! Maybe some time I'll actually have enough time to teach on this, but until then....watch for flying laptops!!!