When I was in 4th or 5th grade, I joined the Boy Scouts. Except it wasn’t Boy Scouts for me, no, it was Webelos Scouts, since that was the appropriate group for my age at the time. I hadn’t been a Cub Scout, but did like the idea very much of camping, friendship, outdoor activities, and all of the other things that I envisioned Boy Scouts doing.

We didn’t have a lot of money in our family at the time. I remember purchasing the Webelos Scout uniform (shirt, some patches maybe) was a significant purchase. But my parents were willing to support me in joining this fine organization if that was what I wanted to do.

My expectations were high when I joined. The reality turned out to be a little bit different. As I recall, having not been a Cub Scout in the Den I joined, I felt like an outsider. I also had pretty terrible social skills at the time, and didn’t really adapt well. At first I gave it my best shot to fit in and participate, but eventually felt like something wasn’t quite working for me there.

We never went camping. The most exciting part of being a Webelos Scout seemed to be the silver or gold candle we would burn at each meeting. That was our fire — maybe it symbolized a campfire, or burning stuff, or some kind of eternal flame of awesomeness. All I know is that we did some glue-gun projects, and burnt that candle at each meeting. During my short stint as a Webelos Scout we never even discussed going on a camping trip. That being my primary motivation for trying to break into this tight-knit group of young boys, I got discouraged. I gave up.

Ever since I’ve considered myself to be a Webelos Scout Dropout. Someone unfit to participate in that system of rules, achievements, honor, glory, companionship, excellence.

Recently I’ve had an opportunity to revisit this mental image in my head about who I am. I’ve thought of many fine men I know who are Eagle Scouts — they completed the Boy Scout journey, graduated basically with the highest honors. Now I know that not every Eagle Scout is a shining example of awesomeness, but that is basically what they aspire to be.  And the people I know who are Eagle Scouts I’ve developed a tremendous amount of respect for.  They seem to be able to get worthwhile things done in a way that is worth emulating.

I will never be an actual Eagle Scout. You have to graduate from that program before you turn 18. I’m 35 years old. Not gonna happen without time travel, and I don’t know if I would have turned out that different had I stuck to it at the time.

I got to thinking though, what am I holding on to by seeing myself as a broken Webelos Scout who could never have been an Eagle Scout. Not a productive way to see myself.

What makes an Eagle Scout a good person is their drive to be a good person, and their capable practice of good qualities that gradually tell people — yes, this is a good person. This is someone who is interested in helping the world.

Here is the Scout Oath:

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

And the Scout Law:

A Scout is:
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,
Brave, Clean, Reverent

It’s interesting to me that even though I haven’t thought about the Oath and the Law in many years, I realize that those are really important qualities to me. Those really do help define what it is to be an honorable, good, helpful person in this world.

I may still be a Webelos Scout Dropout, but I realize today that I do strive to fulfill those ideals every day.  I don’t have to accept for myself non-Eagle Scout qualities.

The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be Prepared”. That starts in our thinking and our practice.  Every day we have an opportunity to act like an Eagle Scout.

I’m really grateful to have been able to directly assist the following non-profit organizations in my lifetime by working on their websites, training individuals how to use the tools to say what they want to say, and generally try to help them do their jobs better. Most of these folks are active clients. I love the opportunity to serve in this way and plan to continue doing so as long as I’m able.

• The Albert Baker Fund
• Monteverde Conservation League, U.S. (The Children’s Eternal Rainforest)
• Hope Adoption Agency
• IWantToHelpAfrica.org
• Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association
• The Solo Committee
• Joint Broadcast Committee for Colorado
• Daystar, Inc.
• Fern Lodge
• Wide Horizon
• Christian Science Churches in Michigan
• Christian Science Churches in North Carolina
• Christian Science in Austin, Texas
• Christian Science Society of Encinitas, CA
• First Church of Christ Scientist, Shreveport, LA
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ashland, Oregon
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Burlington, Vermont
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Hayward, California
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Orinda, California
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Renton, Washington
• Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Dallas, Texas
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Yorba Linda, CA
• Association of Organizations of Christian Science Nursing (AOCSN)
• Bible Study Seminars
• Christian Science Nursing Network
• Organization of Residential Homes (ORH)
• Partnership for Christian Science Nursing
• The Commission For Accreditation Of Christian Science Nursing Organizations / Facilities, Inc.
• The Dominion Foundation

I may be missing an organization or two but I am very grateful to have been able to serve in this way.

Be Prepared.

Pretty amazing life and career for my uncle Jim Sheldon who is retiring this year after teaching so many fifth graders.

Here’s the article about it from the Napa Valley Register:

Congratulations to President Barack Obama on winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize!

2009 Nobel Peace Prize press release:

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2009

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world’s leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama’s appeal that “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.”

Oslo, October 9, 2009

See the video announcement here: http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1173

Fun times working at the coffee shop

One of the last times we will all be physically in the same place. Good times.

Selling my entire collection of Wired Magazine, including most issue from September 1999 through June 2009. Page through 10 years of cool technology, neat ideas and interesting ads. Wired is jam-packed full of good graphic design ideas. Individual back copies sell on eBay between $4.99 and $17.99.

To make an offer, call (314) 477-4529. Starting offer is $160 or best offer. Need to sell by end of June, 2009 due to move.

For sale: Mint condition copy of the October 2008 SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION of Esquire Magazine that features an animated e-ink cover graphic.

Bid on it on Ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180366379500

Update: This has been sold.

If you haven’t gotten your mom something yet, consider donating to the new Mother’s Grove in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest…

Click here to donate now

I’m proud to announce the immediate availability of our Vogon Poetry application for iPhone and iPod Touch. You can get it in the App Store for $2.99.

Click here to check it out!

Finally I’m going to SXSW in Austin, TX this year. Now I get to be one of the cool kids. Or something like that.

Pictures from the trip:

Since Kevin is now living in College Station, TX now that he’s transfered to Texas A&M, his sweet condo in Tampa is now for rent. If you know anyone who would be looking for a place near the USF campus in Tampa you should check it out.

READY FOR LEASE IMMEDIATELY! Please email for more information if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Located in prestigious Raintree Manor, this spacious unit offers carpet and tile floors, vertical blinds throughout, privacy patio with large sliding door, 1 car attached garage. Outside you’ll find paved driveway, streets and sidewalks. The community offers a pool, tennis courts, clubhouse and park-like setting with a pond. Included in rent is basic cable, water/sewer, trash/recycling service, exterior pest control, exterior maintenance and lawn service. Mature landscaping. Oak trees provide ample shade. Ground floor unit, no stairs! Less than a mile from the USF campus, easy to bike, great for students or faculty!

Update: Kevin’s place has been rented, but his parents are renting out an almost identical unit in the same complex starting April 15.

Here’s the link for more info: Tampa Apartment