by Tom Mueller Nothing quite unites a community like a local parade, when residents gather to have fun, share smiles and handshakes, and to feel part of the community. But decorating a float or a vehicle for a parade is a whole other commitment, requiring time and lots of creative energy. All the more so
If you want to sear a point into a person’s brain, connecting emotionally is usually a good way to imprint your point. Emotion creates a tighter connection than just pointing out facts or offering a methodical argument. This is partly why large companies struggle against protesters and other organized opposition – companies tend to focus
I was bicycling near the parliament building in Baku, Azerbaijan when I rounded a turn and came upon a military checkpoint staffed by Azerbaijani soldiers with automatic weapons. I quickly turned around and started peddling away. As I did so, I heard shouts from the soldiers and caught hand signals indicating that I should stop
Last night was my first night back at home after a week in the UK, where the time is six hours ahead of my home time zone in Houston. That time difference can really mess with your head – and your body – as you try to assimilate back into your home time zone and
On a recent visit to London, I went on walkabout one morning in search of coffee and adventure. I headed in a new direction on this Saturday morning, and as luck would have it, I found both coffee and adventure! I was staying in the County Hall area of the city, not far from the
Have you noticed that more and more products these days seems to be available in new and more enticing flavors? I first noticed it years ago with Schnapps – peach and peppermint flavors have long been available – then with vodkas, and a friend in England tells me flavored gins are now a thing. And,
I floated quietly in the warm ocean waters, a wake board on my feet, a giant kite hovering some 50 feet above me, a tether binding me to the kite. All I have to do is dive the kite and let it pull me up onto the wake board. I know I can do this.
By Tom Mueller It seems that every town has at least one place where young couples go to get away from family and daily pressures so they can just enjoy each other’s company. In many communities, it’s a back road, park or other public area. I’ve experienced this first-hand in America, and witnessed it in
I didn’t really know, until I started shooting regularly and in competitive formats, that competition shooting is a lot like golf. Meaning, of course, that it can be highly frustrating as well as highly satisfying on any given day. The motivational theory of periodic reinforcement comes in to play in both sports, drawing people back
By Tom Mueller I returned to Azerbaijan recently after a bit more than 20 years away, and was excited to see how the country had changed as its fledgling oil industry has matured. I spent many weeks in Baku, the capital city, in 1993-95 as part of the energy industry’s entry to Azerbaijan following the
