Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Kitchen design collection
Beautiful backsplash
Bronze and Beautiful
The bronze leaf motif adds texture and design to the rectangular tile backsplash. The tile material is carried through to the sink.
Basketweave Backsplash
The backsplash should be one of the main focuses when remodeling your kitchen. RMS usercc_insidearch used curved glass tile for a basketweave look, which draws the eye straight to the backsplash.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Bathroom design collection
I never thought about painting the bathroom with this color, but looks like it's pretty soothing.
I like the no shower door bathroom, simple design
I like the no shower door bathroom, simple design
Friday, November 12, 2010
"The Dilbert Principle" by Scott Adams
This is the fun book I read recently.
Meetings
Meetings are a type of performance art, with each actor taking on one of these challenging roles:
Master of the Obvious
The Master feels a responsibility to share his wisdom at every opportunity. The favored lines of the Master of the Obvious include:
You need customers in order to have revenue!
Profit is the difference between Income and Expense.
We want a win-win solution.
You can practice for this role while you are alone. All you need is a common table lamp. Lean toward the lamp and repeatedly explain why "Electricity is essential" to the illumination process. Continue to restate the thought in different ways.
Well intentioned Sadist
The well-intentioned sadist believes that meetings should hurt. They have the same motto as serial killers: Does this hurt? How about now.
The Well Intentioned Sadist has several tools at this disposal for causing discomfort in others.
Schedule excessively long meetings regardless of the topic.
Have no clear purpose.
Have no bathroom breaks.
Schedule meetings for Friday afternoons or lunchtimes.
Whining Martyr
As a whining Martyr, you should craft your complaints into tales that illustrate how valuable and intelligent you are compared to the obstructionist dolts who surround you.
Recommended Whines:
I cant believe the CEO wants another meeting with me.
Boy, I'd love to be able to take sick days like you people who don't have work to do.
Rambling Man
The Rambling man's role is to redirect any topic toward an unrelated event in which he participated.
Sleeper
The sleeper is essentially a stage prop. There are no lines involved in this role. It's acceptable to nod the head gently when the other actors are speaking. If trapped into reponding verbally, as a last resort you can use one of these phrases:
"Uh huh"
"Nothing new to report."
"Same ol' same ol'"
Meetings
Meetings are a type of performance art, with each actor taking on one of these challenging roles:
Master of the Obvious
The Master feels a responsibility to share his wisdom at every opportunity. The favored lines of the Master of the Obvious include:
You need customers in order to have revenue!
Profit is the difference between Income and Expense.
We want a win-win solution.
You can practice for this role while you are alone. All you need is a common table lamp. Lean toward the lamp and repeatedly explain why "Electricity is essential" to the illumination process. Continue to restate the thought in different ways.
Well intentioned Sadist
The well-intentioned sadist believes that meetings should hurt. They have the same motto as serial killers: Does this hurt? How about now.
The Well Intentioned Sadist has several tools at this disposal for causing discomfort in others.
Schedule excessively long meetings regardless of the topic.
Have no clear purpose.
Have no bathroom breaks.
Schedule meetings for Friday afternoons or lunchtimes.
Whining Martyr
As a whining Martyr, you should craft your complaints into tales that illustrate how valuable and intelligent you are compared to the obstructionist dolts who surround you.
Recommended Whines:
I cant believe the CEO wants another meeting with me.
Boy, I'd love to be able to take sick days like you people who don't have work to do.
Rambling Man
The Rambling man's role is to redirect any topic toward an unrelated event in which he participated.
Sleeper
The sleeper is essentially a stage prop. There are no lines involved in this role. It's acceptable to nod the head gently when the other actors are speaking. If trapped into reponding verbally, as a last resort you can use one of these phrases:
"Uh huh"
"Nothing new to report."
"Same ol' same ol'"
Saturday, October 23, 2010
5 Ways to Win People Over
By Amanda Armstrong
Getting someone to really listen is no small feat. Real Simple spoke to five professional influencers about how they make the magic happen.
1. Puncture Your Own Ego
Years ago, a journalist went undercover at several restaurants—one of them mine (Union Square Cafe)—with the aim of bribing the maître d’s to score a table. In his article, he wrote that my host had taken the cash. I was mortified and wanted to repair the damage. When I knew the writer would be at an upcoming industry function, I prepared myself. When we saw each other, I walked over and slipped him a $50 bill. He joked that he was keeping it, and then we had a great conversation, which ultimately led to a friendship. Getting defensive gets you nowhere with people. Instead, be willing to show humility and, above all, humor.
2. Don’t Be Needy
People can smell any sense of urgency, and they’re easily turned off. An audience wants to feel like it’s in good, stable hands, and a comedian needs to exude that tone while putting aside her own insecurities. This rule of thumb applies to just about any attempt at persuasion. If I get the feeling that a person desperately wants something from me (not including one of my kids), I am more reluctant to give it up. For instance, when an agent goes overboard trying to ingratiate himself with me, I run the other way. So the next time you want something from someone (no matter how much), try acting cool and blasé.
3. Tell Someone (Nicely) What She Has to Lose
Although most folks say they want to hear what they can gain by taking your advice, they’re actually more influenced by what they have to lose by not heeding it. For example, you’ll get further with your boss if you emphasize the revenue you’ll miss out on by not pursuing a project, rather than by citing any potential benefits. That’s why the phrase “Don’t miss it!” is more effective in ads than “Take this opportunity.”
4. Throw a Curveball in Conversation
This is my go-to technique when I’m faced with a person who isn’t receptive to what I’m saying. Recently one of my clients was in a terrible mood, so rather than press my point, I took a 10-minute break to show her pictures of a friend’s home that I knew she would love. She instantly relaxed, and her mood shifted. Soon enough, she was speaking enthusiastically about the opportunity I was pitching. Going on a tangent—as long as it’s one you know the other person will be interested in—really works.
5. Reiterate the Other Person’s Argument
As an online journalist, I often get yelled at for something I’ve written. These attacks usually appear on other people’s blogs, and (as long as they’re rational) I try to repost them on my own. Doing this helps prevent “flame wars” (an escalating exchange of nasty cyberdialogue), because I am listening to and stating their opinions, after all. Outside of the Internet, the same rules apply. If you’re trying to explain to your kid that he can’t stay up late, begin by stating his opinion—“Look, I know that you want to read the last 492 pages of Harry Potter”—before adding your two cents. Even if he’s reluctant to concede the point, he’ll appreciate the fact that you listened to him in the first place.
Getting someone to really listen is no small feat. Real Simple spoke to five professional influencers about how they make the magic happen.
1. Puncture Your Own Ego
Years ago, a journalist went undercover at several restaurants—one of them mine (Union Square Cafe)—with the aim of bribing the maître d’s to score a table. In his article, he wrote that my host had taken the cash. I was mortified and wanted to repair the damage. When I knew the writer would be at an upcoming industry function, I prepared myself. When we saw each other, I walked over and slipped him a $50 bill. He joked that he was keeping it, and then we had a great conversation, which ultimately led to a friendship. Getting defensive gets you nowhere with people. Instead, be willing to show humility and, above all, humor.
2. Don’t Be Needy
People can smell any sense of urgency, and they’re easily turned off. An audience wants to feel like it’s in good, stable hands, and a comedian needs to exude that tone while putting aside her own insecurities. This rule of thumb applies to just about any attempt at persuasion. If I get the feeling that a person desperately wants something from me (not including one of my kids), I am more reluctant to give it up. For instance, when an agent goes overboard trying to ingratiate himself with me, I run the other way. So the next time you want something from someone (no matter how much), try acting cool and blasé.
3. Tell Someone (Nicely) What She Has to Lose
Although most folks say they want to hear what they can gain by taking your advice, they’re actually more influenced by what they have to lose by not heeding it. For example, you’ll get further with your boss if you emphasize the revenue you’ll miss out on by not pursuing a project, rather than by citing any potential benefits. That’s why the phrase “Don’t miss it!” is more effective in ads than “Take this opportunity.”
4. Throw a Curveball in Conversation
This is my go-to technique when I’m faced with a person who isn’t receptive to what I’m saying. Recently one of my clients was in a terrible mood, so rather than press my point, I took a 10-minute break to show her pictures of a friend’s home that I knew she would love. She instantly relaxed, and her mood shifted. Soon enough, she was speaking enthusiastically about the opportunity I was pitching. Going on a tangent—as long as it’s one you know the other person will be interested in—really works.
5. Reiterate the Other Person’s Argument
As an online journalist, I often get yelled at for something I’ve written. These attacks usually appear on other people’s blogs, and (as long as they’re rational) I try to repost them on my own. Doing this helps prevent “flame wars” (an escalating exchange of nasty cyberdialogue), because I am listening to and stating their opinions, after all. Outside of the Internet, the same rules apply. If you’re trying to explain to your kid that he can’t stay up late, begin by stating his opinion—“Look, I know that you want to read the last 492 pages of Harry Potter”—before adding your two cents. Even if he’s reluctant to concede the point, he’ll appreciate the fact that you listened to him in the first place.
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