Brian Cochrum

Had the back patio redone last week. Four guys showed up at 8:15. At 8:30 I went outside and asked if they had five minutes for a quick standup. The foreman said "a what." I said "a standup. Quick sync. Five minutes. What did you do yesterday. What are you doing today. Any blockers." He said "we just got here." I said "right so no blockers. Great. Let's reconvene at noon." He looked at his crew. His crew looked at the ground. At noon I went back outside. Asked for a status update. He said "we're on track." I said "on track relative to what baseline." He said "the plan." I said "is the plan documented somewhere." He pointed at the patio. Fair enough. My wife came outside around 2 PM. She said "have you been out here all day." I said "I've been providing board-level oversight." She said "you've been sitting in a lawn chair watching four men work." I said "that's what board-level oversight is." She went inside. They finished Thursday. One day ahead of schedule. The foreman shook my hand at the door and said "good working with you." I said "likewise. I'll send over a post-mortem." He said "please don't." Sent from my iPhone

Furniture used to have soul.

My boss's boss is like 42, never married, no kids. Earns $275-300K per year. Goes on a minimum of two international vacations a year w/ his girlfriend. 10+ days, all out. Eats the best food, stays in top notch accomodations. Excursions, tours, nicest beaches, etc. Great guy, I'm happy for him. But what I've realized is that without kids, you end up chasing a lifestyle that has to continually be topped in order for you to be satisfied and find happiness. What he and others like him don't understand is that when you have children, seeing THEM experience life's most basic things and watching their eyes light up at all the "firsts", brings greater pleasure and joy than any vacation or travel experience ever could. Seeing THEM try blueberries for the first time is greater than dining at the best 5 star restaurant in Europe. Seeing THEM learn how to walk is greater than walking the Great Wall of China or strolling along the most picturesque beach. Watching THEM giggle uncontrollably at "peek-a-boo" tops any A-list comedian act. Seeing THEIR excitement when building a fort out of cardboard boxes and making a door big enough for daddy is superior to staying at 5-star resorts. Flying kites with THEM far outweighs excursions like parasailing or helicopter rides. Seeing THEM perform a recital on stage for the first time is more rewarding than watching a Broadway show or top notch symphony orchestra. ----------------- When you have children, all of a sudden you realize that life's greatest joys are not in the pursuit of things or pleasure or travel, but rather in the LOVE and bond you share with your very own image bearers. Seeing the beauty and magnificence and wonder of life all over again for the first time through THEIR eyes and expressions gives you something the world simply cannot offer, nor even come close.

I come to your house, I see this, I’m leaving. I’m walking out. You’re sick and you need to get help. I hope you can get the help you need.

About 54% of U.S. adults (ages 16-74) — roughly 130 million people — read below a 6th-grade level. Why does nobody talk about this?