Beyond the Oyster Juice

Neckties Banned - Again

Mad Gringo is happy to head into the weekend knowing that neckties are being banned in the UK.

http://www.topix.net/content/ap/2007/09/neckties-jewelry-banned-for-uk-doctors

Is it suprising to learn that 50% of neckties tested had infectious microbes? It explains a lot. Tell your doctor to wear more tropical clothing. Coconut buttons and hand tied fringe hold very few infectous microbes. (from my observation)

Which reminds me. Mad Gringo found this link too:

http://www.RatRaceRebellion.com

Yes! The Rat Race Rebellion! Love it. (you know - microbes, rats, rat race. . .stay with me)

Chris and Mike are helping people find a way out of the Rat Race and into the "2 Second Commute". Mad Gringo is right there with them. They're funny and they don't wear ties in their promo pic.
It takes a lot to break from the Rat Race - it takes a Rebellion!

Speaking of rebellions - though Mad Gringo hates suits and neckties, he realizes that many of you have no choice. The Rat Race demands conformity.

Take this advice from super fashion guru Thom Browne.

http://www.esquire.com/style/style/properusage1007

Some call it fashion, but I say not ironing your shirt, tucking your tie into your high water suit pants and no socks is rebellion baby. As a matter of fact, it cracks me up. Not sure if that's what he's looking for but it's all I have.

It's going to be a great weekend. Toes in the sand if you can.

Go slow.

Tropical Shirts for Men

At least Mad Gringo thinks it's a man. From Kent Island, MD.

The hairy legs might be a giveaway. Either way, the Tikal Tour Tropical Shirt is a winner.

With halloween around the corner, Mad Gringo pineapple skull and crossbones masks could be a hit. Wear it to the office and scare Mike in training. He's been jumpy lately.

Go slow.

This is a great lecture on Going Slow. . .

. . .but I don't have time to watch it. Carl Honore speaks.

Actually, I made time. Powerful stuff.

paraphrase:
Going slow suggests that you'll be road kill - but the opposite is true. We eat better. We live better. We love better.
There is such a thing as 'good slow'.

Heady stuff. Couple this wisdom with a Go Slow tropical shirt or sarong and change your life.

Thank you to Mad Tim. He sent this over. He has a fun blog on creativity at:

http://badbanana.typepad.com

Keep the links coming!

Go slow.

Go slow as a movement?

Mad Gringo is pleased when he runs into like minded individuals.

Here's another one to add to the list - Adrian Savage.

I bumped into this article on LifeHack:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-magic-ingredient-for-a-fulfilling-life-is.html

The Magic Ingredent for a fulfulling life?

Go slow.

Quote:

"I don’t advocate living more slowly for the sake of it. If you want to enjoy life, you need to go slow because that’s what it takes. Strip away enough time and, instead of the image I started this article with, you’re left with a picture on a calendar, a ring tone on your cellphone, and a quick fumble behind the door. The stuff of great experiences? I don’t think so."

Magic Ingredient. Love it.

Adrian is trying to get business leaders to build a civilized workplace. Count me in - as long as it includes naps.

Go slow.

The Cranky Middle Manager

Mad Gringo thinks this is funny.

I listened to the show where CMM interviewed Patrick Lencioni about his book "3 Signs of a Miserable Job". Good stuff.

Stop over and listen to the Cranky Middle Manager when you get a chance.

Cranky Middle Manager Podcast

I know, I know. If he would just wear a Go Slow shirt he might not be so cranky.

I take that back. Neckties. (shudder)

Go slow.

Shopping News

Mad Gringo interrupts his regularly scheduled blog posts to bring you this news.

I've slayed the data entry beast and you can now find the new patterns on sale.

Bush Mon - think fall
Walkabout - think disappearing
Running with Bamboo - think . . .uh. . . bamboo.
Outback Sarong - think disappearing but in grey
Ayung River Sarong - think leaves in the water
Mad Gringo TShirt in yam
Mad Gringo TShirt for women in cucumber

There are also a few patterns thrown into the Mad Gringo's Trunk. (closeouts)
Paradise in Black
Blue Pineapple
Sunfest
Golden Sun
Pacific Blue
Waverunner
Tropical Dreams

That's right. Lots of data entry. Daddy needs a nap.

Go slow.

Vacation - Tips from the Top

Mad Gringo reads the reports all the time, Americans are overworked. See here:

Center for Economic and Policy Research - Vacation
and here:
No Vacation Nation
and here:
Send me your Tired, your Overworked

Mad Gringo knows you want solutions. Actions you can take to reverse this trend.

I don't have the answers, but I do know where to look. Experts. Talk to the ones who take the most vacation.

The good news is that you don't have to look far! It seems the Prez is approaching the record for most days of vacation for the leader of the free world - a distinction currently held by Ronald Reagan.

Bush on track to become vacation president

Mad Gringo is happy for anyone that can be #1 in vacation time. Especially if they can do it without steroids.

Go slow.

Na Wahine O Ke Kai

Mad Gringo has found kindred spirits in the outrigger canoe community. Respect for the ocean, coming together as a team/family and celebrating Polynesian culture make these events great for spectators as well as participants.

Plus there's the luau.

You know that I am a fan of Beach Walks with Rox - www.beachwalks.tv - and today her topic is the Na Wahine O Ke Ki event taking place this weekend in Hawaii. 5-8 hours paddling  and doing relay changes in the open water. Amazing.

Check it out:

Beach Walks with Rox #497 - Na Wahine O Ke Kai

You may notice that in episode #496 Rox is wearing the Sunrise hand painted sarong. She makes it look good.

Go slow.

Tropical Drink thoughts

(pic from Jeff Shattuck's blog)
Greetings!

As Mad Gringo heads into the weekend with a fistful of limes, some simple syrup and a bottle of rum this email came across his desk. Seemed fitting:

On drinking:

"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame.  Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams.  If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, 'It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.'"
  - Jack Handy

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. "
  - Frank Sinatra

"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."
  - Henny Youngman

"24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?"
  - Stephen Wright

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
  - Benjamin Franklin

"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
  - Dave Barry

One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the " Buffalo Theory" to his buddy Norm. Here's how it went:

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

And there you have it. Mad Gringo takes a shortcut and copies a email chain letter - shameful I know.

I missed my nap.

Go slow.

Avast Ye Mateys! International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Arrr,

It happens once a year.

And today is the day. International Talk like a Pirate Day!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

Mad Gringo is up for any day that involves annoying Janet in accounting,  going
ashore for a cup of grog and ends with a little jig.

Some suggestions to make the most of this day:

1. Two words. Eye patch. Take some rubber bands and a piece of manilla
folder colored balck. Once in place, get a cup-o-joe walking with a
slight limp and muttering "avast! where's my booty?"

2. Raise the Jolly Roger in your cube. (A pencil, printout of a pirate
flag and tape. Lots of tape) Shout out "Land Lubber Ahoy!" whenever
someone walks by.

3. Liberally sprinkle "Aye, aye", "Shiver me timbers", and "godspeed
matey" into your hallway conversations.

Thrown your own suggestions in the comment box!

And remember: "if socks be rrrequirrr'd thin kie twice"

Go slow.