Cape Cod Journal - 2008 - Part five

The USMC Silent Brigade Platoon entertained the town of Orleans in the cool wind late afternoon yesterday. Today brings overcast weather and periods of rain with thunderstorms in afternoon. After breakfast at Hearth 'n Kettle we opted to skip Nauset beach today.

Instead, we took an hour-long harbor cruise of Hyannis Harbor. (Pronounced Hah-baah in these parts). The good ship Prudence (60 foot long) was built in the same year as Titanic (1912), and has been in operation since 1912 serving in various roles and with different names. We travelled past Great Island - 600 Acres of land owned by the Chase family, who offer 99 years land leases allowing for homes to be built on the island.

We saw the Kennedy compound from the harbor. It was less than I expected. Based on the media reports, I expected a private island with multiple mansions. Instead, from what we could see from the water, are three mansions amongst tens of similar mansions. No private island, just multi-million dollar homes like the surrounding multi-million dollar homes.

In Hyannis harbor we saw new ocean-going motorboats of 50 and 60 feet. These impressive craft must have enormous engines and commensurate appetites for over $4 per gallon fossil fuel. The desirable Hunter 38 sailboat moored alongside a new 60 foot motorboat looked like the poor cousin in this family. Many sailboats of all sizes and budgets were moored in the harbor and at yacht clubs along the channel. I recall how Alan Weiss pointed out in an episode of "The writing on the Wall" that "There is always a bigger boat". So true with watercraft. No matter how grand your 40 or 50 or 60 foot boat is, you may be humbled when you realize that the Hyannis harbor can simultaneously berth and service eight mega yachts each 100 foot long. There seems to be no limit when you play the game of "Mine is bigger than yours" with boats.

We stopped at Friendly's in Dennis for lunch on the way back to Orleans. Terrible experience. I felt sorry for our waitress who was not able to cope with the volume of holiday traffic. She was frazzled and obviously embarrassed at the poor service. It took over an hour to get hamburgers and 20 more minutes for desert. To add insult to injury the bill was wrong and the waitress was indignant that my wife pointed out the errors. It was a great parenting opportunity to discuss customer service and the effects of personal attitude with my son. Do you use events such as these for parenting opportunities?

Cape Cod Journal - 2008 - Part four

Dunkin Donuts Bagels and coffee for breakfast this morning for a change. This is too funny for words. We saw the sign from the road and drove into the strip mall to look for the Dunking Donuts. we see a Police cruiser and my first thought is "I bet that is where Dunkin Donuts is". Turns out that the cruise was a true indicator of the Dunkin Donuts store. Although I do not stereotype Police, I was embarrassed when my son loudly proclaimed "Hey dad - The police really do stop for donuts".

On the beach at 9:30 AM. Water was colder than normal and wind was unpleasantly cool even though the sun is shining. Finished reading "Metaphorically Selling" by Anne Miller.

Although the topic of this book is the use of metaphors in sales, Anne includes an delightful discussion on "metaphoric visuals" to benefits readers when using PowerPoint. An example from Anne's book is from an ADP ad featuring a photo of an executive trying to fashion a paper clip from a piece of wire. "Make your own paper clips?" reads the headline. The text then completes the analogy of purchasing HR Administrative services from an outside provider. Anne's example is a good starting point for thoughts for your next presentation when you are searching for a photographic representation to make an abstract point.

Anne defines a term that I have never heard before. Have you ever heard of a "Horse Chart"? Imagine this. You put up a photo of a horse, then display a headline that says "Horse". The headline lacks punch and adds no value. Think about the horse chart in your next presentation. Make your headlines more personal than just restating the obvious, such as "Third Quarter results". Instead, how about "Stimulus checks inflate our tires"?

Also, Anne lists 15 pages of metaphors in Chapter 24. Gazing into my crystal ball, I suspect that some of these may just be in my Humorous speech for the Toastmasters District 53 Fall Contests. (Hee hee hee - methinks I have a winning edge now).

We had another braai for lunch with great steak. Makes me think back to similar family meals in South Africa, decades ago.

We plan to watch the silent guard parade at Nauset Middle School in the early evening tonight. Last year's show was an absolute delight and we are hoping for the same tonight.

Wireless Connectivity on Cape Cod

Breakfast at Hearth 'n Kettle. 9 AM found us on Nauset beach, overhearing the lifeguards training again. Today's training included paramedic basics such as dealing with cardiac arrest and broken arms. I played in the unbearably cold water with my son for short periods at a time.

Finished reading "Soft selling in a Hard World", by Jerry Vass. I love the line where he states "A fat checking account does great things for attitude." This works for me :)

Back at our vacation cottage we have a good braai for lunch. A what, you ask? Braai is the South African term for a Barbecue. "Charcoal and steak a great meal do make" is what I always say ;)
An inconsiderate thunderstorm at 1:30 PM interrupted my power nap and we spent the afternoon indoors.

A tourist booklet informed me that many of the coffee shops and restaurants in Orleans now offer wireless Internet connectivity. We took my laptop and sure enough, as we drive around town we find numerous spots to connect. Kudos to the town of Orleans for supporting Wi-Fi initiatives for tourists.

In late afternoon we purchased our annual supply of "Cape Cod" sweatshirts from Cuffy's with their "buy 2 get 3 free" deal.

Watch out Tiger Woods

After a fabulous omelet at Hearth and Kettle, we played the obligatory round of miniature golf. My wife hit a solid hole in one and we enjoyed some laughs from my ten-shot holes.

Then we experienced the new "Easyshop" technology at Stop 'n Shop. When you walk into the store, you check out a hand-scanner. You scan in your goods as you purchase them throughout the store. Then at the checkout you simple scan in the bar code to signal "End of Purchase" and it totals up your purchase for you to pay at the self-checkout.

The benefit to you as customer is that you only pack you goods into packets once, directly into your shopping cart, and don't have to unpack everything to scan them at the checkout. Also, the checkout only takes a few minutes as you pay for the goods already scanned in. "Easyshop" is a far better solution than RFID, if you ask me.

Strangely, the children are more open to using "Easyshop" than parents. We noticed another family shopping where the two little girls were adeptly using the hand scanner while mother was cautiously trying to follow what they were doing. In my case, I am embarrassed to admit that it took a few minutes of my son's "Daddy, can I try this?" before I conceded to use the "Easyshop" system. I did not want to be the guinea pig for a technology "experiment". Been there, done that, spent the long nights, too often with computer upgrades over the years. "Easyshop" was a good experience for us and we will "Easyshop" again (even without my son's prodding). The lesson here is that we all need to be willing to invest a few minutes trying new systems, trusting that we may benefit from the improved system. "No Risk, no reward" comes to mind.

It is ironic that in 2001 we risked everything when we left South Africa to start a new life in the USA, yet I am hesitant to try a new shopping system. (And eternally grateful that my wonderful wife did not publicly point out the irony to me)

We wrapped up the morning with an hour-long walk on Nauset beach. It is overcast this morning with a thin fog on the water. By noon the fog was clearing and the beach started to draw the sun-seeking families. We did not see any of the seals who were just 50 yards offshore yesterday. Lifeguards were training this morning and one lesson we overheard was "Don't hold onto the swimmer in distress. Give the person the float and let him or her hold on. Take care to get yourself separate from the distressed swimmer and keep control of your own swimming".

Walking in the waves, I recalled that our trips in the 1990's to the South African beach always ended with us collecting sea water to take back to our servant. In South Africa our servants believed that sea water holds magical properties and would drink a teaspoon a day for months after our vacations. It seems such a foreign world as we walk along the Atlantic ocean on Cape Cod in Massachusetts in 2008.

This afternoon we returned to the beach for some sun. What is it with the tattoos? When I was growing up, only sailors and low-class workers sported tattoos. Now, self-mutilation appears to be a status symbol. I accept men's earrings as self-expression, but don't understand the fascination with tattoos in the world's wealthiest nation.

Cape Cod Journal - 2008 - Part one

When last did you take a vacation? Do you need one now?

My family started our second annual Cape Cod vacation on Saturday with an uneventful three hour drive from Connecticut. I cannot believe that another year has passed since we were here. Yesterday, with the crashing waves and a wind that was stronger than is pleasant, when I realized again the value of a vacation. This is why we work so much of the year - for a few days of appreciation.

As I write this, the early morning birds are chirping. Nauset beach is a few minutes down the road from our vacation cottage and has become our favorite beach. Nauset beach hosts the usual characters that we have encountered on beaches in South Africa as well. People of all ages and sizes, from toddlers burned to a crisp while parents nap through the well-tanned and fit lifeguards to the aging as well as the overweight.

Fifty something degree sea water welcomes ever child and occasional foolhardy parent. I experienced three stage of cold sea water while playing with my son in the waves. On entry the water is very cold. Within three minutes, your feet and legs are numb to the cold and no longer distracted from having fun. After fifteen minutes your skin starts to burn from the cold. This is when I get into the sun again to soak up some rays. Children seem immune to the cold and my son joined the group of youngsters who enjoyed the waves without regard to the bone-chilling water.

Sitting on the beach gave me the opportunity to read portions of the 10th Anniversary Special Edition of "Chicken Soup for the Soul". Chapter one is written by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, titled "How to live your dream". This fifty-five page chapter concisely guides readers through the process of setting and reaching goals including the use of affirmations, visualizations and the Law of Attraction. This first chapter is the highlight of the book and a valuable addition to the stories.

Breakfast and dinner are usually at the Orleans "Hearth and Kettle" where they serve absolutely fabulous fish. All is right with the world as I sit on the beach with my family, reading and relaxing and savoring the break from work and home life, thinking and pondering the future.

If you relate to my message, then isn't it time that you took another vacation? Is your family overdue for some time with you on the beach away from everything?