So Long 2021 - Another 2020...

December 31, 2021,

2021 has been an extension of the landscape of 2020. Good riddance to 2021 too. Let's hope 2022 brings fresh optimism, good health and peace to all.

December 31, 2020

"No one has to change, survival is optional" - The Power of Purpose

 

I had this sign made years ago and it always had a place above my desk. Dr. Deming's message and many many more like it are so relevant today when employees and employers are at odds over so many issues facing workers in today's viral work environment.

Consider donating at the Deming Institute or better yest contact them to help your company move forward and transform into a company that cares. https://deming.org/donate-2021/

Another way to donate is to do what I did and sign up at Amazon Smile. Amazon will contribute a percentage of what you buy to the Deming Institute https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F

Alone on Thanksgiving 2020 - Not This Year - 2021!! HAWAII

November 2021,

What a difference a year makes! I made the trip back to Hawaii and visited my daughter's family for Thanksgiving. It sure beat last year's festivities (None) by a long shot - Great Time!!

We ran/walked the local Turkey Trot before having a great dinner. My son-in law has turned in to a great Turkey cook and this year he cooked up an 18 pounder.

We also went to see some Honolulu Christmas lights and,

had dinner at Tommy Bahama's.

 Celebrated J's 5 year old birthday at Hickman Beach!

November 2020,

As everyone knows the year 2020 has been one to remember or maybe to forget! The Pandemic has caused everything to be different from family gatherings to isolation and quarantines. This year I found myself alone because of various circumstances.

I was thinking back when to the last time I was alone on Thanksgiving and it was in 1972 when I had guard duty alone at a 30 mile away Ammo Dump. It was a strange day and night and I read the complete Lord of The Rings Trilogy. At night all I could hear was the coyotes. At least they weren't Orcs.

After my shift I treated myself to a Big Sam burger and chocolate Shake.

This year I will enjoy (Ha) a frozen turkey dinner and take my dog for a walk. 

1960's Subliminal Advertising versus 2020's Social Media

As an adolescence growing up in the 60s many companies used subliminal advertising to attract adolescents to cigarettes' and alcohol.

Sexual innuendos were also big. The one I remember most was the Swedish girl in the Noxzema Commercial slowly saying "Take it off, Take it all off." 

Today, Social Media Companies use algorithms and messaging to penetrate the brains of adolescents to become addicted to their web sites. Today's companies have far reaching (Billions) of customers and the outcomes are much more dangerous with the increase of suicides and addictions in our young people.

It's just not adolescents adults are affected too but the companies involved today want the younger audience so they have many years to change their thoughts and cultural thinking. This is dangerous and it needs to be stooped by strict regulation world wide. 

Start off a student with a greeting and a smile! And, What Makes a Great Teacher?

Updated August 2021,

School has already started in many school districts with the majority starting after Labor Day. I wanted to repost a few articles from the past that are so relevant now since the Covid Pandemic continues to affect our school aged children, especially the younger ones.

2015 - I work as an educational team leader for grades K-2. I chose those grade levels because it provides me the opportunity to help mold and create young students as they begin their educational journeys.  I have found how important and “simple” it is to start their day out with a smile/greeting. 

K-2 Educational Team Leader Credo

I believe it is very important to greet students with a smile and kind word first thing in the morning in the grade school cafeteria (This is where they get dropped off for school before the bell rings) as they start their school day. In many situations it might be the only greeting/smile they receive all day. Students appreciate and respond to settings where they feel welcome. Students who feel more welcome are more likely to seek out my help or others when needed (In today’s dysfunctional families this happens frequently). 

By greeting students (Added plus – learn their names) at the door, I can see and prevent potential problems. Correcting potential problems in the cafeteria before school starts may help a student enter their first class free of stress, or take out frustrated energy in the gym or even carry it all day to their home. Recognizing a potential problem and preventing it is critical to the overall success of the student, their teachers, fellow classmates and the school.

I'm very lucky to be working with some truly remarkable teachers. Their dedication and passion for what they do is outstanding. 

Note: To a “Systems Thinker” this is building/designing quality upfront in the process. It is where the potential for failure and defects are their most dangerous (If unchecked continue to grow) but they are almost always the easiest (Cheapest) way to prevent/fix problems.

Also...

Over the years I always try and observe and learn what makes a good teacher. One of the measures by which I make my conclusion is how well the class learns and just as important how well it behaves and respects all (Teacher, Students) within the room.

If I find that 95% of the students follow this conclusion I know there is a good teacher at the helm. I know when I have found a “Great” teacher when there is a substitute teacher and 90% of the students follow my conclusion because their regular teacher has instilled the pride and learning so that whoever is in the room they give their attention out of respect for their regular teacher.

Why I Still Like Girls Basketball and Girl's Softball !! - Tokyo Olympics - Chiddy!!

July 25th, 2021 - Tokyo Olympics - Chiddy!

So proud of our former star player and most valuable player in high school - Amanda Chidester, I started calling her Chiddy Chiddy Bang Bang (From the 1968 movie "Chitty" starring Dick Van Dyke) when she would drive me in to the bleachers during one of our drills (Duke Driving Drill) when going hard to the basket. More Pics of Amanda and team at bottom of the post from 2007-2008. See Side Bar.

qualityg says ...: Girls Basketball

Amanda could have played college basketball or volleyball but she went on to star for four years in women's softball at the University of Michigan. After college she has been playing for the USA National Team and coaching.

Allen Park Cabrini grad Amanda Chidester launches U.S. softball team into Olympic gold medal game – The News Herald

Softball Olympian Amanda Chidester receives hero’s welcome during visit to Allen Park – The News Herald

Amanda comes from a great family and she has always found time for her friends. She is truly and all star and Olympian in all facets or her life.  cc

Khan Academy - The Best

I am posting this link to Khan Academy because it is one of the best On-Line Learning tools available for Learners, Parents and Teachers. I have been promoting the site since it became available in 2008.

Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice

Khan Academy’s Sal Khan on the future of higher education and why it might include non-traditional methods (yahoo.com)

You can also obtain these sites through an App:

‎Khan Academy on the App Store (apple.com)

Khan Academy - Apps on Google Play

Free, fun educational app for young kids | Khan Academy Kids

Thank You Chief James Craig Part II - Retirement

June 2021

Tuesday, June 1 is the last day for Detroit Police Chief James Craig after 44 years of service. In May, Chief Craig announced his retirement after 44 years of service.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig To Retire Tuesday After 44 Years – CBS Detroit (cbslocal.com)

August 2020

With all of the militant protests and rioting that continues to engulf the United States there is one city that continues to stay out of the violent fray and that is Detroit. Most people above the age of 50 know well of the troubled past that Detroit has faced especially in the 1960s.

Police Chief and Deputy Mayor James Craig (Born and raised in Detroit) has served the citizens of Detroit since 2013. I can honestly say without a doubt he is the best Police Chief that has been in Detroit since my 60 + years.

The man has such strong devotion to what is right and what is wrong and follows the law with the best common sense when it comes to troubling times. He doesn't cater the the political right or left and he sees the situation as it is and approaches the solution in a systemic process based on facts and street sense. 

Example - Back in mid July Chief Craig's quick action (Within hours) in showing a video on all the local news channels of an assailant firing at police officers after fleeing from being arrested resulted in the person being killed. Prior to releasing the video social media as well as some of the major local networks were promoting another George Floyd situation in Detroit. Protesters began to gather but the Chief's quick response and leadership avoided the potential violent protest.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/detroit-police-chief-video-shows-killing-of-man-by-officers-was-justified-shooting/ar-BB16B5g5

another example - https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/07/detroit-police-release-video-of-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-of-suspect-in-deadly-drive-by.html

Thanks Chief for the great work leadership and kudos to the brave men and women in your command.

Dr. Deming Posters

Updated 4/24/2021 

 Dr. Deming, once said, " No one can see the future, but we must try." Check out the new information, programs and highlights at https://deming.org/

Born on October 14, 1900, Dr. W. Edwards Deming was an eminent scholar and teacher in American academia for more than half a century.

I have studied Dr. Deming since 1980 when I first watched the NBC White Paper television show when a segment called “If Japan Ca… Why Can’t We?” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcG_Pmt_Ny4

When he was alive, I attended many of his 4-day conferences. I also presented a paper at one of his conferences in 2012. 

His teachings are as relevant today as they were back in 1980. 

Following is a link where you can obtain five special posters with some of Dr. Deming’s best quotes and teachings.

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/deming-season-of-generosity

If you would like to read more of my posts about Dr. Deming simply click on his name in my label section on the left or follow this link: http://qualityg.blogspot.com/search/label/Dr%20W.Edwards%20Deming

Earth Day 4/22/2021

Earth Day 4/22/2021

I always liked this poem by Walt Whitman -
 Appropriate for Earth Day

Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons, and with the young, and with the mothers or families, re-examine all you have been told in school or church or in any book, and dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem.... ~ Walt Whitman ~ (from the Preface to Leaves of Grass, 1855)

  Enjoy 

Earth Day Video and plant a tree! qg

4/22/17

Here are some cool songs related to Earth Day -http://ultimateclassicrock.com/earth-day-songs/

4/22/06

Six years ago I planted a Washington Hawthorn Sampling I ordered from the Arbor Day Foundation. It looked something (smaller) like this when I pulled it out of a regular size mailing envelop:

4/23/12

Last year (June 2011) I took a picture and I'm proud to show it has grown wonderfully!!

4/22/20 - 9 Years later 

Happy Birthday Dano!

April 2nd is World Autism Day - SHINE

With the Global Covid 19 virus I can't help but wonder about all the routine movements, processes and help that is now so fragmented for people on the spectrum. Perhaps, others can now learn what it is like to have your "normal" life in such a disarray. Autism people have known this kind of stress their whole lives.

While sitting at home with the rest of the world I found this movie that was really good about an English lad who has autism. Check it out!

https://agoodmovietowatch.com/brilliant-young-mind-2014/

And of course, I really like the Good Doctor. However, the 2021 season has lost its gusto. Too many social issues and political correctness is ruining the show about ASD.

April 23 - Update

I was sent (Thank you Matthew) this link
https://www.wizcase.com/blog/internet-safety-guide-for-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorders/
that provides valuable information about internet safety for people with ASD.

Click link below for all my posts on Autism over the years. http://qualityg.blogspot.com/search/label/ASD%20-%20Autism%20Spectrum%20Disorders

or on the ASD Label (Left Sidebar) for more of my posts on Autism.

I was throwing away some old papers today when I came across this poem, I wrote 25 years ago...

SHINE!

At 11:45 we start to get antsy while he smiles like an old gray fox
At noon we go to our lockers and get our Sponge Bob lunch box
He then checks our shoelaces and pulls up our socks.

Then it’s back to class and get called in to line
We shuffle to the back because he said that’s where we shine
He walks with us quietly and whispers all will be fine.

As we walk quietly in line headed to the lunchroom we go
We then search for a place at a table where a friend might show
While the man who is with us sits across the room laying low.

Often times we don’t eat and we just play with our food
Then the lunch lady turns and signal to the man that we are being crude
He then stands where we can see; and gives us the “Look” we best eat before he gets in a mood.

After we eat we go to recess, sometimes it’s in, but we hope it’s out
It all depends if the flags are green hanging about
Yellow means stay inside then we groan and pout.
Today we go outside and play on the playground equipment
We hope a friend will stop and play even if for a minute
But most of the time we play alone and it seems to be infinite.

At 12:35 the whistle blows loud and sometimes we cover our ears
You see the decibel and noise level brings out some fears
But we know we are safe because our guardian is always near.

Another lunch has come and another has gone by
Sometimes we get into trouble and sometimes we cry
But mostly we wonder about friends and ask him WHY?

After we line up we will try not to talk and to stay in line
Then our teacher meets us and says you all look fine
And the man who walks behind smiles and says we SHINE!

Too Many 3 -Pointers in Basketball - No Way

 The NBA is at a breaking point with three-point shooting (msn.com)

Every few years - the NBA is wanting to change the rules because of the 3-pony shot.

Are NBA teams now shooting too many 3-pointers? - SBNation.com

Somebody is always complaining it is ruining the game and shooters are too good (Seth Curry).

The NBA is obsessed with 3s, so let's finally fix the thing (espn.com)

I was watching one of my favorite sport shows today call PTI - "Pardon The Interruption." The two hosts were debating if the rule should be changed and both had valid points.

Pardon The Interruption | Videos | Watch ESPN

However, why don't coaches come up with a defense (i.e., Box-n-1, or In your face man to man) to shut down the shooters and deny the pass to the other players.

Most NBA players do not like to play defense for and extended period of time which is an important part of the "real" game of basketball. The NBA is Hollywood Basketball. It's about entertainment and not the true game.

How many teams have that many high percentage 3-point shooters that if the other team played tight man to man the shot would be nullified for most of the time. A Box-n-1 of Steph Curry with rotating fresh defenders would deny him open looks.

Where are the genius coaches that can design a defense to restrict the shooters. Most are in college and High School where players listen and earn the right to play through hard work and relentless defense.

Don't cater to the elite Hollywood players and coaches. The game is fine, call the fouls that are fouls and referee the game according to the rules. The NBA does neither and has not for years.

March Madness - YES!!

You got nobody to blame but yourself - Part II

 Cuomo - 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top aide privately apologized to Democratic lawmakers for withholding the state’s nursing home death toll from COVID-19 — telling them “we froze” out of fear that the true numbers would “be used against us” by federal prosecutors.

Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa admits they hid nursing home data from feds (nypost.com)

Whitmer - 

There are others... including Cuomo's protégé who followed his lead in dealing with Covid in Michigan.

May 2020, Michigan’s Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a new executive order directing nursing homes on how to care for COVID-19 patients. The orders looks eerily similar to New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s advisory requiring elderly people with positive COVID-19 diagnosis be readmitted to nursing facilities.

Editorial: Whitmer order endangers nursing homes; end it now (detroitnews.com)

Whitmer nixes bill to direct COVID-19 patients away from nursing homes (detroitnews.com)

Michigan AG Won't Investigate Whitmer over Nursing Home Deaths (breitbart.com)

 

Why am I angered over this issue?

qualityg says ...: Covid Memorial at Senior Community - Why so many??

6 1/2 Hours of Frustration - Thanks GE

 Years ago when I was growing up the Phone Company used to be known for terrible customer service when trying to get a problem resolved. Over the years the cable and computer companies have taken over that top spot for customer frustration.

Since last week I have spent over 6 1/2 hours speaking to six different service reps a parts person, and two consumer affair people. 

I was dropped once and each time I sat in a que for at least a half hour and twice I waited over two hours for a call back.

Two reps were rude and and would not let me speak. Two different reps said they ordered a $25.00 part (Under warranty - appliance is only 3 months old). Later, I found out they did not from a consumer relations rep.

The worst part is they all the reps refuse to give me a tracking number so I can follow Fed Ex. How ridiculous is that! I still don't have the part.

I did see my Service Request on their web site but today it mysteriously vanished so I had to call back to Consumer Relations. The wait was so long I plugged in my number and waited 1/1/2 hours for a call back. Supposedly the part is now ordered ( No Tracking number) and I am supposed to get a call from a new repair company/person.

They said I need a service call but they have no one available for over 2 weeks. They said a 3rd party appliance person would contact me. They gave me a number to call and when I did the person told me he would not accept the service call from GE because he did not sell me the appliance. So I had to call GE back and tell them their system is at fault and spent another hour trying to get through while on HOLD! The last Rep I talked to was very kind and helpful ( Documented the problem in notes where others did not) and seemed to understand my frustration. Unfortunately, she said she ordered the part but later found out she did not according to the Consumer Relations Rep.

GE used to be one of the best run companies in the world. Over the past 20 years it has gone to disarray and poor craftmanship and service.

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-general-electric-rise-and-downfall/

The stock price ranges form 5 to 12 dollars. Shame on me for buying their product. They had the only model and size that matched our needs. 

 I have this sign this posted in my office. It has been there for for over 25 years. If you don't believe what it says just ask the companies that made the Buggy Whip, Carburetor, 8-Track Cassettes, Atari, etc... 

Next time you vote ask yourself if the people in office (Local, State and Federal) have changed or are they there for their own self interest.

Be Humble, Be Confident!

 I created this Quote back in the early 1980s. One cannot be a Leader without both expressions working together not apart.

Again you got nobody to blame ...

Again you got nobody to blame...

and