Cache of the Day - March Madness

I can't let March get by without an homage to one of the bastions of Indiana's culture and heritage - basketball.

Although Indiana University is not in the Final Four (nor did they make the finals), we cannot live in Bloomington without always cheering the local boys on.

I can't believe I've lived here almost 12 years and had not attended an IU basketball game until this year. Getting absolutely BLASTED by Wisconsin (we decided to leave once WI doubled the IU score, which was early in the second period), we still enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

Here are some shots of the game and Assembly Hall....and the rabid fans that I am sure will never stop rooting for the home town team.

Cache of the Day - SHRM Leadership Conference

As the incoming President for the local Bloomington chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), I was invited to attend the annual Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. this past month. I had a chance to go last year as well, but this time I was the only one representing the chapter.



With SHRM leaders throughout the country and as far away as Egypt, we had a great opportunity to maximize our effectiveness as leaders by learning of best practices and by learning of the SHRM mission and objectives. We spent three days strategizing ideas to implement once we got back to our chapters. We had great speakers that framed our perspectives on how to maximize our potential, and how to create a sense of ownership, commitment, and accountability with our volunteer teams back home.


Here is (left to right) Aaron Garofola(President-Elect/ WVHRA), Angela Acrey (President/HRPDA), Lawrence O-Neill (CEO and President of SHRM) and his wife, me, and Chuck Gillespie (President-Elect/HRPDA).


Although the meetings were held adjacent to SHRM headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, we were able to get some time to visit D.C. I had never visited the Capitol before, other than from the outside, but I joined a tour that took us through the dome, the artwork, and the history. My biggest regret was having to catch a flight back to Indiana. The Senate was in session, and if I didn't have to get back to the airport, I may have had a chance to see the debate begin on health care reform.



The experience was a great one and I have started to out together our strategic plan for SCIHRA, our local chapter. Looking forward to a great year!

Cache of the Day - A Pageant That's Not a Pageant

Taylor was not a fan. Never has been. Doesn't "do" pageants.

Yet she decided to participate in the Junior Miss pageant so she could (1) have the possibility of winning scholarship money for college and (2) increase her involvement in activities that could support her opportunity to win the Lilly Scholarship.

After several weeks of preparation, including rehearsals for fitness routines, getting the right dress and getting it altered, preparing for a talent event, and researching and understanding current events, Taylor was able to showcase the total "her" in the actual event this past Saturday night.

She did great. She was poised, she was confident, she was everything that creates an impressive young gal. Nothing could make her momma prouder, or anyone else that knows her and has loved her.

Although she didn't win any of the scholarship awards, she did win the scholastic achievement recognition....and she was just great.

Makes me cry.

Cache of the Day - Louisville Weekend

Deb and I decided we just HAD to go see Ingrid Michaelson in concert, but the closet venue on her tour was in Louisville, Kentucky. So, rather than drive back to Indiana late on a Friday night, and in the rain, we decided to stay overnight in the city.

Here we are hanging out at a cool Irish Pub before the show.

Here is Ingrid Michaelson and her amazing band. The music was great, she had a very nice opening act, and the show was fun.

We stayed in downtown so we went to Fourth Street Live after the concert. The next day, after morning bagels and coffee, we went to the riverfront and walked a bit.

On the way back, we stopped at the Huber Winery in Starlight, Indiana, for a little tasting.

And, being Halloween, we got into our costumes and enjoyed the Rocky Horror Picture Show in downtown Bloomington.

Fun weekend!

Cache of the Day - Overwhelmed with Learning!

I think of myself as fairly tech-savvy. I have a blog (such that it is), I'm on Facebook, twitter, etc. But I was OVERWHELMED while at my CIASTD Meeting this past week. We had a great presenter who shared a TON of opportunities for learning solutions - many of them FREE - that are on the internet.

I wasn't aware of all the options in the "wiki space", or all that Web 2.o can do, or "TVlesson" or "Ustream" or "moodle" or....I could just go on and on.

My plans are to dig in and figure out what is best for my business and start to adopt these technologies to a blended learning model.

Should be fun!

Cache of the Day - Upcoming BSO Concert

“Global Romance”October 3, 2009, at 7:30 PM

Bloomington High School North Auditorium

Capture the energy and fun of Fall as the Bloomington SymphonyOrchestra begins its 40th Anniversary Season, 1969-2009, by performing therollicking number, Four Dances from “Estancia” by Alberto Ginastera, underthe direction of the youthful Charles Latshaw, conductor. Also on theprogram for the evening will be Alexander Borodin’s Polovetsian Dances from“Prince Igor.”

Internationally renowned pianist, Maxim Bernard will be the featured soloist on Robert Schumann’s Concerto in A minor. The concert begins a 7:30 P.M. at the Bloomington High School NorthAuditorium, 3901 N. Kinser Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404. General Admissiontickets are available at the door for $10.00Children 18 and under are admitted free. The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is a 70 member all-volunteer orchestrawhose mission is to provide great orchestral music to the Bloomingtoncommunity, as well as audience members from around south central Indiana.Of Maxim Bernard, Menahem Pressler’s official website states: It is hisscope and range as a pianist that set him apart. He can play with greatpower, and still maintain intimate sensitivity in his music.” –MenahemPresslerBorn in Québec City, Maxim Bernard is one of the most promising pianists ofhis generation. He only started studying piano at the age of 13 years oldbut his outstanding talent was soon recognized in various national andinternational competitions. Music critics praised his commendable technique,his surprising maturity and his rare musical sensitivity.

The Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera is widely regarded as one of themost important and original South American composers of the 20th century.His attractive output for piano skillfully combines folk Argentine rhythmsand colors with modern composing techniques. He was influenced by a visitto the United States in 1945.

Cache of the Day - A City

Gotta love a city! We try to get to one as often as possible, and have explored all those within driving distance from Indiana.

We recently visited Cincinnati and had a great time! Here's a shot of the square in downtown, where something was ALWAYS going on (and they had great ice cream too).

We also headed over the Ohio River to Newport in Kentucky, where we visited the Newport Aquarium and had great German beer and food at the Hofbrauhaus.

Lots of energy, lots to do, lots of fun, lots of great fun is what we find in big cities...and Cincinnati was no exception!