Memphis BBQ Ribs

Just when I thought I was done eating ribs, a group of my peers traveled to downtown Memphis to check out the Rendevous Restaurant. Good stuff and friendly service from the long time servers (even though one of them threw a hissy fit over splitting the check six ways - you're rolling the dice on additional tip monies...)



The dry rub seasoning was superb. What I found interesting is the the locals prefer eating at Corky's which says a lot about a chain BBQ restaurant; one Corky's location had a two hour wait.



More rib photos at my Flickr Memphis Road Trip collection

We'll have to see what the doctor says about the pork - more Lipitor may be a daily fixture on the menu.

Ronald and the clowns at McDonalds

Ordered 5 bacon egg biscuits; got 5 sausage biscuits instead...



Ronald is not the only clown working at McDonalds this morning. Dude!

Good Eating in Atlanta

I'm down here in Atlanta working away and training in my new gig with a three letter telecommunications conglomerate... which I share about when I get back in Nashville.

Meanwhile, what do seven guys do for eats? Easy! Bar-B-Que Ribs:





1/2 rack of ribs, spicy sauce, Brunswick Stew and a pitcher of Sam Adam's to wash it down with...

Downtown boot scootin' plans walayed!

I was all set to enjoy a walk downtown to meet up with my friend Chad to have a cheesesteak sandwich and take a ton of photos of all of the cool tourists in town for Fan Fair... or is it called something else now?



CMA Music Festival?



Anyway my photo shooting plans got shelved, as a South Philly sandwich took over 45 minutes to prepare! One would think that cooking thinly sliced beef could be done in bulk, not one sandwich at a time. Looking at their grill setup, it's the equivalent of me opening a Waffle House with one black iron skillet cooking 2 eggs at a time.

Gotta shape up boys and think beyond the concept of making yourself a sandwich at home.

Man I wish Mothership BBQ was downtown.

More photos tomorrow!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - Cooked(ing)

Photo Hunt Theme: Cooked(ing)
Join the Photo Hunt | View Blogroll | Visit participants.





I'd cooked up a VERY FILLING meatloaf birthday cake More details here if you want to make your own! (no sugar added - just a ton of starch!)

xxx

I joined the Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt hosted by TN Chick. You too can play: Join the Photo Hunt There's a different theme every Saturday, and it's a lot of fun visiting the community of participants.

Jim 'N Nicks... 'N the other guy

After a day of reviewing and writing legal language, I needed to dezone from lawyer talk by visiting the Green Hills library and later settling down with some take out beef brisket, Brunswick Stew and sweet tea from Jim 'N Nicks BBQ restaurant just down the street from the abode in West Nashville.

I was curious to find out how fast the drive-thru would move as normally the service inside takes 10 to 20 minutes from the previous times I've been there. No sooner than I drove up to the menu board, the speaker box was ready to take my order. $21.85 for a Beef Brisket platter with two sides, 2 orders of Brunswick Stew and a big cup of sweet tea (with crunched ice!) would be a nice change of dinner fare from our routine of salads and pasta since it was nearly 7:15 pm and too late to cook up anything at home.

So I'm settling down at the dinner table and "O crap - they forgot the sides!"

So I pick up the phone resigned to the fact that it could be a case of (a) tough luck, (b) drive back, or (c) next time I'm in, speak to the manager and he'll work out something. Preprogramed responses from a history of oops - that stinks for you - customer service.

To my surprise, the voice on the phone (on the first ring) apologized and ask if I could hold to speak to the manager Eric. Eric jumped on the line, and quickly stated, "We need to make this right... where do you live? We can run it by your house - I just need your address and zip code so that I can MapQuest the address."

"What???"

"For an order of fries and apples?"

"Sure! We need to make this right!"



Ten minutes later, Taylor (with his permission to be photographed) brings the missing side items and more!



This is amazing customer service. Turns out Eric the manager at Jim 'N Nicks is Eric the owner. Now I know why I always get stellar service and food - everything rises and falls on leadership.

Next time I go back to eat at Jim 'N Nicks, not only will I tell everybody about my experience, but I will always think of the restaurant as Jim, Eric 'N Nicks like Manny, Moe and Jack - the Pep Boys.

Jim 'N Nicks
7004 Charlotte Pike | Nashville, TN | 37209
Phone: (615) 352-5777

It’s a Wonderful Life at the Mothership

(with apologies to Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life)

Jim Ream’s portrayal of Dr. Funkenswine is the fantasy image most white kids have growing up. Just like Vanilla Ice, as a local Nashville village idiot a.k.a. The Nashville Knucklehead, he dreamed of nothing but playing that funky music (white boy) on bass guitar in bars, hotels and other stages dressed in exotic and outlandish costumes and wardrobes like George Clinton or Bootsy Collins.



But now he is a father and a Knucklehead. He has left behind his ambitions of being a stud, to invest 70 to 80 hours to be the BBQ meister - Dr. Funkenswine - in Nashville, but those long hours still come back to haunt him. The Mothership BBQ is not a shack, it is not BBQ boiled in chlorine city water and doused with liquid smoke, but rather it’s a vibe, a vision of the chuck wagon days when cowboys used to circle the wagons and tell stories of corrupt sheriffs and illegal cattle rustling over pork roasting over a open pit.

These days, over in Berry Hill, Tennessee at The Mothership BBQ, you'll most likely find bloggers and musicians spin their tall tales of politics, humor and musical knowledge while Jim lovingly hand-rubs every rack and butt that lands on his smoker, baby!

The cranky Mr. Berry Hill controls the zoning regulations in and around the small town and all that stands in the way of the Mothership’s greater success is a beer license and a better location. Some say it’s a conspiracy and pushback over the Parliament-Funkadelic intergalactic message of love, peace and slow cooking of BBQ over hickory smoke in a I want it now microwave oven society.

Then to compound things, last year with the NFL Tennessee Titans striving to do great things with QB Vince Young, people lost their focus on good BBQ over the distractions of PacMan Jones, leaving Dr. Funkenswine hopeless and frustrated with the lack of a good dinner business.

Without telling the full story, Jim considers padding his resume as a way of giving up the smoke to spend more time with his daughter, save some money for college and work at a cushy marketing job. Just like George Bailey, $50,000 from an investor other than Mr. Potter would be just what the good Dr. Funkenswine needs to land the Mothership where life forms that come out at night and a expanded base of paying customers exists.

Just as the bloggers in Nashville and far away places came to sing of the praises of smack your Momma good BBQ and the Crack’n’Cheese, - (see the Flickr links below) - the friendships forged over lunch and subsequent meetups were special indeed.

Could it be that a guardian angel like Clarence, who is an investor sent by God, literally show up and expand the Mothership’s message in SoBro? Could Nashville really be Talking if there was no Mothership? Can we just be all like guardian angels and show a little love by supporting the success of some funky BBQ?

I as many others, feel a special kinship with the many bloggers and friendships forged at that restaurant. Heck, I even have a sandwich special named after me – The Woo Special – two pulled pork sandwiches with extra burnt ends and slaw on top. As a stakeholder, I want a place to go hang and take my guests for a good BBQ sandwich. Read the full story and status update at the Mothership blog. Give the man some hope - "If you've ever eaten at, read about, heard about or dreamed about Mothership BBQ, link to the full story.

Let’s sit aside global warming, who's right or wrong by helping the George Bailey’s of the world - like Jim Reams – and Clarence, the angel investor get his wings.

Mothership BBQ Flickr set

Holiday Nashville Blogger Party Flickr set

Day 114 of 365 photos in 2007

Day 114 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

I had lunch today with my good friend Dave at Corky's - pretty cool lunch visit to discover that my blog posting / gluttony / consumption of the Corky's BBQ "Pink Cadillac" Feast from February made the famous "We loves some Corky's BBQ" wall of fame - along with Elvis...

Dave and I tried out the pretty darn good Smokehouse BBQ Burger which is a half pound burger topped with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, crisy onion rings and Corky's BBQ sauce.



See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365

Day 47 of 365 photos in 2007

Day 47 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

I met up with six leaders of men to discuss the logistics for the upcoming Promise Keepers Men's Conference here in Nashville when a double dare went out to partake of Corky's BBQ "Pink Cadillac" Feast.

This ultimate feast for four is packed with a Rack of Ribs, 1/2 Chicken, 1/2 lb of Beef Brisket plus side orders of BBQ Baked Beans, Fried Corn on the Cob, Spiced Apples, Southern Style Green Beans plus corn bread muffins & hot rolls. And gallons of sweet ice tea. No dessert.

The food was awesome, the conversation was great and the challenge *burp* was met. Rest assured, I had good company, as my brothers had racks of ribs, brisket and a baked potato bigger than a brick.



Tony, the manager and Frankie our waitress were very gracious on comping the meal as yours truly, the WonderDawg was the first to completely chow down the "Pink Cadillac" at the famous Corky's BBQ in Brentwood, Tennessee.

I have to rent "The Great Outdoors" and revisited how John Candy (Chet Ripley) did with the "Ol' 96er" - a 6-pound steak...

Next time, I'll just a have a small salad.

See the rest of the daily series archived at WonderDawg365

Peanut butter recalled over salmonella ALERT

I almost messed up my week with some serious funk.... as I was thinking of having a peanut butter / banana / mayo sandwich for lunch when I got some breaking news from the AP (and the girls from Mrs. WonderDawg's sales office):

OMAHA, Neb. — ConAgra Foods Inc. told consumers to discard certain jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter after the spread was linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened almost 300 people nationwide.

Lids of jars with a product code beginning "2111" can be returned to ConAgra for a refund, the company said.

The salmonella outbreak, which federal health officials said Wednesday has sickened 288 people in 39 states since August, was linked to tainted peanut butter produced by ConAgra at a plant in Sylvester, Ga. How salmonella got into peanut butter is still under investigation, said Dr. Mike Lynch, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.

LINK

The Curse of Chunky (Titans Win)

"Campbell's Chunky Soup, the most dangerous soup not served in a Thai restaurant" nugget of truth comes from the blog Chunky Soup Curse

So what is the Chunky Soup Curse?

John writes: The Chunky Soup Curse is the belief that every NFL player who endorses Campbell's Chunky Soup will suffer a rash of carrer- or even life-threatening injuries, failure on the field, humiliation and ultimately defeat.

Strangely, the curse does not directly stand in the way of success. It just mangles you, and eventually the mangling causes failures.

For example: Kurt Warner went to a second Super Bowl after being cursed. He just also mangled his hand the next season and had seven turnovers in a single game because of the hand. And he eventually ended up with the Arizona Cardinals.

Well, I'm of the belief that if one watches too much NFL football like I usually do every Sunday (and now Thursday & Saturday plus the NFL Replay - the four most-exciting games each week in a 90 minute format - all on the NFL Channel), the the Curse will ooze out of the TV and onto some unsuspecting soul... like me.


I've been aware of the Curse since Philly QB Donovan McNabb's Big Momma started serving the stuff up on commercials... and you'll have to visit the mentioned blog to get the full scoop. Now McNabb's Big Momma might be kinda getting old or she may be a little loose in the kitchen letting roaches crawl into the soup (they good too!)

Last week, I'm at Kroger shopping with Mrs. WonderDawg when I see Campbell's Chunky Soup on sale for $1.79. WOW, that's only 20 cents more expensive than WalMart - and Kroger never has soup on sale, because they rather sell pallets of Ramon Noodle Soup in those ten for .99 cents packages to those with college student budgets and tastes. It was cold last weekend and I had a real desire for soup, even if it came in a can. I gave some thought of violating my covenant of "Any Place But Shoney's" to have seven big bowls of soup from the hot bar, but the only soup Shoney's has been primarily serving for the last ten years is cabbage beef soup.

As soon as I put the two cans of Campbell's Chunky Soup Slow Roasted Beef with Mushrooms in the cart, my stomach started churning... I told Mrs. WonderDawg better hurry it up, as I need to head out... I always heard never shop at the supermarket while hungry to prevent buying junk food. That morning I had just a little too much coffee and fiber; fortunately we were at the Belle Meade Kroger, so I drove home to excuse myself and was back in 20 minutes. (I never use public restrooms)

So today, I'm laid up with a bad sore throat and my back hurts from laying around, so some good comfort food includes grilled cheese sandwiches and Campbell's Chunky Soup. I make the two sandwiches quickly so as to not arouse my two dogs with the power of cheese and pop open the can of soup into a microwave bowl. The pop top emitted a carbonated like sound which I thought was unusual, but because I shook the can I didn't think anything about it.

After nuking for three and 1/2 minutes, my soup had this bubbly surface that hung around like a witch's brew after stirring. I took a spoonful into my mouth - with an ammonia flavored taste hitting my taste buds, I immediately recognized the Chunky Soup Curse demons wanted to invade my weak body and do bodily (and bowel) damage, so I said no way! I flush the soup and its Slow Roasted in Hell Beef with Mushroom demons back to the pits of hell down the garbage disposal immediately.



I retrived the can of out the trash bin for further inspection - no dents in the can.

So my health was spared from The Chunky Soup Curse.

As for the NFL action, my beloved Dallas Cowboys beat the Atlanta Falcons with 17 unanswered points; our Tennessee Titans scrimmaged the Jacksonville Jaguars offense for 44 minutes of stellar defense and won big; the Denver Broncos beat the hapless Arizona Cardinals and for good measure, the axis of evil Washington Redskins made me feel great beating the New Orleans FEMA Saints after the thrashing last week of the Cowboys. QB Donovan McNabb? Remember how he hurt his knee during the Titans/Eagles game? - he's out for the season.

So by not eating the Chunky Soup, all of our favorite NFL teams won. And I still have this bad cough.

What's in your pantry? Cast those demons out now!


McNabb photo credit

MSG Overdose

Mrs. WonderDawg and Megan's boyfriend Chris had way too much MSG (and fun) at Chef Yang's...

Late night Thanksgiving dilemna

Kathy T. a super nice mom and a remarkable writer of Where's The Mute Button? while guest blogging over at Nashville Is Talking writes a PSA for all Thanksgiving hosts/hostesses...



The Tribe Has Spoken

It's time for them to leave. Try these ideas:

Sit on the couch, close your eyes and pretend to be asleep. Within 15 minutes the guests will quietly leave.

Get out the four-hour DVD of vacation photos and start the show.

Start vacuuming.

Pile the bags of garbage next to the door and thank them for helping to carry those bags to the curb.

Get out the Tupperware and let the games begin. No one wants to learn about how to burp plastic lids at 2 a.m.

Ask the remaining guests to help you rummage through the garbage, looking for containers or bottles that should be in the recycling bin.

And finally, Dear Abby says it's perfectly acceptable to ask guests to leave. Practice saying, "Oh, dear, just look at the time! I didn't realize it was so late. I'm going to let you nice people go home, so you can retire."

xxx

My favorite and kind Christian way is to say - "Would you like to have a word of prayer before you leave?"

Miss Manners gently reminds us - "Don't give up entertaining. So few people do it now, which may explain why your guests are confused about the difference between a hospitable home and a boarding house."

Mighty fine pie indeed!

I'm leaving O'Charley's restaurant and I see the kitchen help hustle back from the grocery store across the street with a clear plastic bag of Mrs. Smith's pies.



I can vouch that O'Charley's serves mighty fine pie indeed.

I'll let you figure out the markup math.

So what's YOUR problem ?!?!

We were Chappified!

The rest of the story: Tonight, we were heading out for dinner because Mrs. WonderDawg's sister and husband were in town from Atlanta. We had a big evening planned to celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary and Mrs. WonderDawg's birthday! After having such a great experience with Chappy's on Church (previously reviewed here), it was the determined pick, thus reservations were made in advance.

Again, here's the bit of history: "The original Chappy's Seafood Restaurant opened its doors in December of 1984 and remained one of the premier restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina completely demolished Chappy's restaurant and his home. In June of 2006, Chappy's Seafood Restaurant re-opened as: Chappy's on Church in Nashville, TN."

Our party of five were all jazzed from the previous great dining experience, food and excellent service from our waiter David and the hype that the restaurant was "designed to exude New Orleans charm". My brother-in-law had never dined at Chappy's, so he was hyper to see what all the fuss was about.

We met up at the restaurant at 7:40 pm for our 8:00 reservation for drinks. One of the staff came out and said that we couldn't be seated until 8:15 because there was a big party of fifty being served in the back dining room and all of the waiters were tied up until then. The restaurant was sparse with seated guests, while the rest of other patrons waiting to be seated were waiting at the bar just like us. We noticed that the resources were being overwhelmed with one bartender and the staff scurrying in and out of the kitchen. No problem - we were just jovial being in a celebratory birthday and wedding anniversary mood.

Seated at 8:15, we started with double orders of appetizers - Fried Green Tomatoes and Grilled Barbecue Spice Shrimp, both delicious. Our assistant server made a big deal that whatever we needed - water, bread or drinks, she would be there Johnny-on-the-spot. We never saw her again!

Our waiter was new - and having never worked the floor before, was taking our orders (# 2 of 5) when another staff person came up behind and kept poking him. Without excusing himself, he took off! Ten minutes later, he comes back sweating and apologizing as someone else in the restaurant was either being arrested or having a feigned heart attack. We didn't quite understand what the story was.

Wait! It gets better and/or worse!



We ordered four Grilled Tuna Steaks, as last time it was sushi quality and tender as a filet mignon, a salad and baked potato. At 9:00, the salads came out with no bread, water refills or table cleared; one drink order went unfulfilled and our wine glasses were empty.

At 9:45 (remember we got seated at 8:15), no entrees in sight and the dishes still were not cleared. The table across from us got their food first though they came in later. Our two hours of birthday and wedding festive conversation was quickly running out of celebratory talk - especially when the topics turn to Hillary Clinton, illegal invaders and Ann Coulter. So my brother in law - a well-traveled CEO of a major German auto manufacturer got up and chased down our waiter. We saw him pacing the floor after talking to the rookie waiter - I thought he was blowing off steam before he came back to our table. Nope - he asked for Chappy - the bossman himself.

Apparently, the big party of fifty had a $50 per person tab going that included not only dinner, but also... BIG MISTAKE... a open bar! So they were getting soused on the company dime, running the staff ragged and another BIGGER MISTAKE... not servicing the other tables, i.e. potential repeat customers.

John "Chappy" Chapman, chef and owner stopped by...

"Hello, I'm Richard ______ and we drove up from Atlanta for our wedding anniversary ...."

"So, what's your problem ?!?!"

"Whoa, we just been here two hours..."

"So, what's your problem ?!?! Do you want your food or not ?!?!"

Richard was done when Chef and Owner Chappy walked off - the food came out - we refused it - and at that point (10:00 pm) we were over it. Now we were nice about it - we just got tired of waiting and were completely over it after we witnessed the exchange.

Ten minutes later, we had to hunt our credit card held from the bar. So we paid for what we had as we were not going to accept a free ride - total bill for five included wine, and appetizers - $117.00 plus a modest tip. Mr. Chappy lost out on an additional $100.00 in lost food; $50 for wine; respect from his staff in the way they saw how he treated his customers on the floor in front of other diners and gained a "I am not ever coming back anymore to this place" vibe from me and others. We were sufficently chafed or chapped in the booty by this experience.

So I don't know how Mr. Chappy talks to his customers in Mississippi and I'm sorry for what happened with Hurricane Katrina. But this is Nashville and we have a dining courtesy of "Howdy, good to have you here!" and "ya'll come back now, here?" attitude whether in our homes or a restaurant. Even Walmart says "Welcome!" and hands you a shopping cart.

"Oops, we screwed up - please, I am so sorry - how can we reconcile this?" works on this planet too. Pluto not being a planet must have wacked out the comos at Chappy's restaurant as nothing was working right all night or any bank deposit of karma got washed out to sea during Hurricane Katrina. And this has nothing to do with President Bush, so keep him out of this.

"So, what's your problem ?!?!" doesn't work here or anywhere else for that matter. I think Chappy's bigger problem is going to be figuring out how to get out of the lease with an empty restaurant. Church and 18th might be a good spot for a homegrown BBQ joint. The tragic thing is as we were leaving, the staff was embarrassed - and asking us to please come back and try the restaurant again.

Sorry, everything rises and falls on leadership. And good thing I forgot my camera - I'd been all over the smack down. Thank God the parking valet got it right!

Not the end of the world - we could have been canoeing down the Harpeth River!

Chappy's on Church

Tonite, we were heading out for dinner because Mrs. WonderDawg's sister was in town from Atlanta. With Debbie having never been to J. Alexanders on West End, we made plans to go with our party of six. To our dismay, since we've had nothing but a great dining experience twice before, we just weren't in the mood for a 45 minute wait. Mrs. WonderDawg's other sister Judy, saw a clip on WSMV about Chappy's on Church.

The bit of history: "The original Chappy's Seafood Restaurant opened its doors in December of 1984 and remained one of the premier restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina completely demolished Chappy's restaurant and his home. In June of 2006, Chappy's Seafood Restaurant re-opened as: Chappy's on Church in Nashville, TN."

Located at 1721 Church Street -- the refurbished building formerly housed Carter Flooring Building, constructed in 1920 -- I was simply expecting the typical Louisiana Cajun home spun family restaurant. At 8 pm, our party of six were immediately seated in one of six separate semi private rooms after walking through an expansive dining room (seats 220) of stated elegance and white cloth covered table tops of four. Seeing original artwork on the walls and an upscale dining atmosphere, we knew we were in a great dining experience since the restaurant was "designed to exude New Orleans charm".

John "Chappy" Chapman, chef and owner stopped by our table and greeted us, seen here hugging Judy:



We started with an appetizer of Fried Green Tomatoes and Grilled Barbecue Spice Shrimp, both delicious. Entrees that we ordered included Grilled Tuna Steak (which was probably the best of the night) as it was sushi quality and ordered rare, was tender as a filet mignon. The blackened Chappy's Thick Cut Prime Rib was fair and came across as more of a rib eye. Other dishes included crab cakes, specials of mahi mahi and a lemon yellow fish which were pretty good, moist and of generous portions. Dinner salads with stuff baked potatoes and a vegetable mix of squash, cabbage, green pepper and onion served in a cole slaw fashion was ... different and not a table favorite.

Chappy's really shined on the fish dishes! I would highly recommend going back and sampling more of the fish offerings. Chappy's also offer other seafood, steaks, veal, chicken and game entrees. The menu is listed on Chappy's website. Total bill for six included two bottels of Sterling and Kenwood Merlot was a reasonable $240.00 plus tip.

With West End Avenue opening up more chain type restaurants, Chappy's was a welcomed change of pace to dine. Most likely, we'll head back Sunday or Monday night - it was that good.

Our service was great; David as our waiter was excellent, attentive and quite a character. He wrapped up my mommy-in-law's crab cake to go in an aluminum rabbit presentation that looked like... you decide!



David the good sport, accepting the OB-GYN Award for Best Service by a Waiter:



And our party of spring chickens:



L to R, sister Judy, Mrs. WonderDawg (Becky), our daughter Megan, sister Debbie, me and Mommy Helen

Why It Takes Years to Raise Quality Beef

Answers for the Beef Lover in you...

Many people think there's plenty of beef no farther away than their favorite food store. But it's not that simple to get high quality beef where and when people want it.

Beef supply is no accident. It's thousands of miles and 21-30 months from conception to consumption . . . from ranches to feedlots to packing plants . . . until that steak or roast is finally cut, wrapped and ready at your neighborhood food store. In between are countless management decisions resulting in profits; losses; successes; failures; huge investments; and months of long, hard work.

Beef Breakdown pdf

Build your own Dagwood Sandwich

Dagwood Bumstead is the Dithers Corporation's Webmaster

I love a good sandwich from Noshville Deli or even a occassional sub from Subway (at the local Super Walmart) or Jersey's Mike when I just want a lot of meat and a little lettuce. But I have never seen a Dagwood sandwich or even know the proper way to make one - I'm in luck now!




Dagwood Sandwich how-to with step by step assembly instructions & photos... BAM!




Blondie is no longer just a housewife, but also runs a catering service.

By the way, read the The Dean Young & Stan Drake Interview... from CARTOONIST PROfiles' magazine

Never Eat Alone

I've been reading Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz and it is so chock full of wisdom - not only in a business / networking setting (as the book intended to be) but for those who need a kickstart in interpersonal relationships.

Example:

Be Sincere
Whether you spend five seconds or five hours with a new contact or acquaintance, make the time count. In Los Angeles, where I live, eye darters are a party staple. They're constantly looking to and fro in an attempt to ferret out the most important person in the room. Frankly, it's a disgusting habit, and one that's sure to put off those around you.

The surest way to become special in others' eyes is to make them feel special. The correlate, of course, is equally true: Make people feel insignificant and your significance to them shall certainly diminish.

Other nuggets and principles from Keith and Tahl include -

Look for mentors: Link up with people who can help guide your career and can introduce you to the people you need to know. Then become a mentor yourself.

I am passionate about mentoring - many of us are way too busy to invest in others and tap in the wisdom that is available from the older generation. I've gained more wisdom from mentors in my life than any college course could offer.

Be interesting: Develop the style, knowledge, and expertise that will draw others to you.
Build it before you need it: Create lists of people you know- and those you want to know - and maintain ongoing contacts with them throughout your life and career - not just when you need a favor.

Harvey McKay wrote a whole book on this matter - Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty. The title says it all.

Never eat alone: Avoid the fate of - invisibility- use potential social settings to constantly reach out to colleagues and future contacts.

I think that a great way to make the new guy at work feel welcome to to befriend the person and take him to lunch - there is nothing worse that the first day on the job and eating alone. I'm surprised that a lot of managers are blind to this simple act of professional courtesy.

Read more excerpts here from 800-CEO-READ Excerpts

Buy the book here at 800-CEO-READ

America's Table: A Thanksgiving Haggadah

From BeliefNet: A Thanksgiving Haggadah

We are thankful that we live in this American community, which derives its awesome creativity and energy from the diversity of its people, the freedoms they enjoy, and their fervent pursuit of justice.

Let us express our gratitude using these written words or our own.

We are thankful for the freedom from hunger.

We are thankful for the freedom to worship.

We are thankful for the freedom to challenge our minds.

We are thankful for the freedom to change our minds.

We are thankful for the freedom to chart our lives.

We are thankful for the freedom to work for a better world.

We are thankful for the freedom to celebrate this day.

We pray for our country, for the men and women who today are protecting our freedom, and for the day when this nation and the entire world will know peace.

"We cannot merely pray to God to end war;
For the world was made in such a way
That we must find our own path of peace
Within ourselves and with our neighbor...
Therefore we pray instead
For strength, determination, and will power,
To do instead of merely to pray
To become instead of merely to wish;
That our world may be safe,
And that our lives may be blessed."
--Rabbi Jack Riemer

>Oseh shalom bi-m'romav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol yisrael, v'imru amen.

God who brings peace to the universe will bring peace to us and to all the people Israel, and to all the inhabitants of the earth. And let us say, Amen.

We thank God for the bread on our table by sharing our good fortune with others.

Barukh atah adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, ha-motzi lehem min ha-aretz.

Praised are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.