Clubs
It's something I do. I form clubs. When I worked at Social Security, I formed quite a few because programmers would get bored waiting for their computer tests to come back. These genius minded folks needed something to keep their brains agile, and I tried to supply it.
The Red Tie Club
Back in the 1960's, all men wore suits and ties to work. The Red Tie Club was formed early in that era. Members were required to wear red ties on Fridays. Simple. If somebody forgot, they had to buy coffee for all of the other members. Some wise guys kept red ties in their desks, but we fined them when we found out.
Also, we had to make a few exceptions. Bert Mellinger always wore bow ties instead of the long old-fashioned ties that everybody else wore. Also, we didn't fine those programmers who had to spend all night Thursdays trying to get their computer programs to run. (Not an uncommon situation in those days.) Some guys liked the club so much, they posted their feelings, just as Bill Cresswell did:
I've talked a lot about this club on my blogs. Some of the folders which we circulated with what we thought were thought-provoking information and quotations.. actually did get read by most of our members. Here are a few of the quotations:
"Glory to God in the Highest and on earth an honorable, just, and negotiated peace. Good will toward all men except communists. Merry Charisma." Goodman Ace
.........
"Oh wad some Power
the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see Us!
It wad frae monia a
blunder free us,
An' foolish notion." Robert Burns 1786
..........
"Have more than thou showest,
Speak less than thou knowest,
Lend less than thou owest."
King Lear
(I've tried to live by this.)
.........
"The sun shall not be up so soon as I
To test the fair adventure of the day!"
King Harry
(And also by this. This is why I slept only 4 hours a night for years and couldn't wait to get to work in the morning.)
.........
"I ask of doctors and dock workers
and of whoever stitches up my coat,
things should be done with magnificence.
It is no matter what a thing is,
nothing should be mediocre
down from buildings to pairs of rubber boots.
The mediocre is unnatural.
What is false is not natural.
Command yourself.
Be famous.
The lack of greatness is a matter for shame.
They
shall
every
one
be
great."
Yevgeny Yevtushenko
(And also by this. And now you know my philosophy of life, and what I have tried to teach my children, friends, co-workers and employees.)
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