Just for the sake of clarity, I’d like to assure that this does not reflect neither an unconscious -or conscious- obsession with Ciro Najle -whose own obsession I find truly interesting- nor an attempt to capitalize on the fact that, for some unexplainable reason, the cartoon about the Motherhouse lecture (the mother of all lectures) is one of the most popular within the site. That was a long sentence; the explanation goes on: This cartoon was sketched at around the same time as the original one, and illustrates very accurately two facts: a) The tendency of ideas to appear in clusters; b) The very limited number of ideas I can come up with. In any case, I promise that I won’t be redesigning the same joke for the next fifteen years.

I think fourteen’s more than enough

For those who are asking for more:

Teoría Arquitectónica de los Sistemas Complejos (Ciro Najle’s conference, in Spanish): http://lombardi-fadu-extension.blogspot.com/2008/07/conferencia-de-ciro-najle.html

GSD Lectures: Ciro Najle’s Motherhouse: http://klaustoon.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/gsd-lectures-ciro-najles-mother-house/

~by request, the one-year anniversary sale (50% off!) has been extended until Dec. 2~ 

Happy here making candles, stamping Christmas cards, holiday shopping, and other fun stuff.  Hope you all are doing well~

Today, thanks to via @dwhelan and @SAlhir, I came across a 10-year-old Harvard Business Review article by Edward M. Hallowell on the importance of real, face-to-face ‘human moments’ to meaningful communication and resolving or defusing interpersonal issues. Its relevance to globally distributed software development was obvious, so I kept reading.

At first I didn’t notice that the article was written in early 1999: it seemed completely relevant today, if not even more so due to the explosion in virtual communications (blogs, microblogs, Second Life, email, waves, smartphone texts, etc.). Hallowell defines “the human moment: an authentic psychological encounter that can happen only when two people share the same physical space.” While co-location is necessary, it is not sufficient: “The human moment has two prerequisites: people’s physical presence and their emotional and intellectual attention.” His concern, which appears to have been well-founded, was “as the tide of electronic hyperconnection rises, the landscape of work is in some ways changing for the worse.”

Electronic hyperconnection hasn’t just been a rising tide over the past 10 years; it’s been more of a tsunami. And the use of globally distributed software development (GSD) teams has increased significantly as well. Does the combination create a perfect storm, or can these virtual communications offset the risks of GSD?

We’ve been experimenting with telepresence-style technologies, and they clearly do have the potential for conveying emotional and intellectual attention (if the participants provide it). What seems to somehow still be missing, and perhaps this is why videoconferencing isn’t yet a true substitute for face-to-face meetings, is enablement of a sufficient level of interpersonal energy.

Have any of you ever had a virtual ‘meeting’ in which you experienced the same level of interpersonal connection as F2F? If so, I’d love to hear how you did it.

Lets start with a few pics of my favourite dog ever!

And move onto some useful and funny websites!

Dear Labby the blog for Pet Sitters

Ask Dear Labby! Funny!

Now some dog related items…  I am so getting this!!!!

Some quotes that were never more true!

Here are top ten animated (cartoon) dogs

How to draw a dog

top names for dogs

top 10 famous dogs of the 20th century

Pic of the day!  Check out the history of this loyal little dog at Greyfriar\’s Bobby

On Oct. 25 I presented our paper and poster on “Measuring Collaboration in Globally Distributed Software Development Teams” at the Human Aspects of Software Engineering (HAoSE) Workshop at OOPSLA 2009. It was very well received, and we enjoyed an active discussion on many aspects of GSD collaboration. PDFs of the paper and poster will be available for download in the near future from the Agile Teams publications page., and a writeup of the (last!) OOPSLA conference is in the works.

It’s true.

My baby, Shera, just came into heat yesterday!! And now that she’s almost 5 (!!) it’s about time we tried to pass on her perfection to a new generation

Luckily, a few months back, we met a wonderful lady who has a gorgeous male Shiloh Shepherd (read up on what that is here) and we’re gonna try make some babies with him!

Shera's boyfriend: so fluffy and beautiful!

In case you forgot, this is my Sheree:

my princess

So, I’m by no means an expert, but from what little research I’ve done online, the best time for conception is between days 9 & 14 of her “estrus”. Yesterday being day 1, that should be beginning next Monday (9-11-09). Good timing since Benji & I are going away Thursday-Sunday!

Just to make sure everything is all good, I’m taking Shera to the vet tomorrow for a general check up, and maybe X-ray of her hips, just to make sure she can handle a pregnancy at no risk to her!

From what I’ve read, average gestation period for dogs is about 63 days. Can you imagine if I have little baby pupparoonies crawling around just (63+8ish…) 71 days from now!?!?! Ahhhh!!

Found a recent blog post on the Bright Green Projects blogsite: 7 tips for working with distributed teams. A few of the tips are tool-specific (including one for their own product), but not all are; it touches nicely on the key factors of communication, trust, coordination, cultural awareness, etc.

We are on the cusp of a new day.   Today is a new day for our breed and our sport. I feel very encouraged that the AKC will recognize Schutzhund. Countless hours have been dedicated by so many people to see this come to light.

 I will agree that we must pay homage to our valiant members who have stood the test of time but more importantly we must recognize those who have committed their energies to see this happen.  While our debt to those who have come before us is tremendous,  a greater debt is owed to the GSDCA-WDA and GSDCA Board of Directors. They have stood strong for the last two years, faced adversity and the onslaught of those who promoted WDS to get us to this point.  In my almost three decades of leading organizations I have never served with a more dedicated group. They have given their all to see us come to this place. I will gladly salute our forefathers but my praise will be rest squarely on the Board of Directors of the GSDCA-WDA and GSDCA.  Together we found the common ground to change tomorrow.

The recogntion of schutzhund by the AKC proposes endless opportunities. An FCI IPO Team, as AKC does in Agility, schutzhund titles on our pedigrees, more events throughout the country and most importantly a national spirit of cooperation as we all embrace this historical decision.

It happened on a cold January morning in 2007 inside
a Washington, DC Metro Station.

A man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.

During that time, approximately 2000 people went through the station,
most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged
man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and
stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

• The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money
  in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk..

6 minutes:

•  A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then
  looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

• A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly.
  The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed
  hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.
  This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent,
  without exception, forced their children to move on quickly. 
  

45 minutes:

• The musician played continuously.  Only 6 people stopped and
  listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued
  to walk at their normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

• He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one
  applauded, nor was there any recognition.

 
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest
musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever
written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the
seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro station
was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment
about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

The questions raised:

In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we
perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize
talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: 

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best
musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written,
with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…. How many
other things are we missing?

I have to wait a day or two to publically announce the tremendous alignment that has occurred with the GSDCA and GSDCA-WDA.  I feel certain that history is being made. 

A great deal of work has been done on the 2013 WUSV World Championship that will be hosted by the GSDCA with considerable help from the GSDCA-WDA. The entire GSDCA-WDA Board of Directors has volunteered to serve as part of the site selection and evaluation team.  The Board of Directors will be working with the National Speciality Committee, WUSV 2013 and the Centennial Committee.   Great things are happening in the breed!

Have you heard the GSDCA-WDA will be offering a two month trial membership? Seems like they will be offering a no charge two month trial membership that will include the 2009 NASS Edition of the GSDCA-WDA Magazine.  WOW!  I am hearing that GSDCA-WDA is starting a membership campaign for 500 new members.  Also, heard a rumor that the membership rules for entry in to NASS may be relaxed in the future.  A  little bird is chirping about a sweet deal for existing clubs to join the GSDCA-WDA.  Lots of good things happening.

Well, it’s been almost a week since I last wrote. Do you really want to know what I have been up to? Hmmmm….

Since we put Patches down, it’s been a little bit of an adjustment without him here. I sometimes expect him to jump off the windowsill and land with a big thud and scare me, or I look out the back door and what I really want to see is his face staring in at me to let him in when I just sat down…. I miss him. It’s so funny because he was never my “favorite” cat at all, in fact, he drove me nuts…. but it’s just not the same here without him.

So, Saturday I spent the day trying to create my own GSD files to cut with my wishblade…. no such luck. Then Sunday, I went up to my best friends house and helped them split about 3 cords of wood for their winter supply… came home and tried again to create GSD files of my own…. now I was getting mad!

Monday came and I had managed to sew 6 pairs of socks but I can’t remember when I did it, we went apple picking (last weekend of the year) then settled into a comfy spot to figure out how to create those danged GSD files if it killed me…. well guess what? I did it! I even figured out how to meld the words together, create a background and even change the line colors so that when I go to cut, I can choose which one I want to cut!! I am soooo happy I have the basics down, now I can learn how to make more intricate files and have fun with it….

My retreat weekend is almost here! Friday is coming fast and I can’t wait!

Foremost in defining the future of the GSDCA-WDA  we must open our doors to everyone. By this I mean broaden the ability of the general public to access our events. The only two events that will require membership are the NASS and the National Schutzhund Championship.  I am considering that for the NASS puppy classes and the Schutzhund 1 and 2 at the National Schutzhund Championship maybe we do not require membership.  We must avail our services to all, then we encourage them to be members. We should not force our membership on anyone.  Loving the breed should not require a membership card. 

We must embrace the fact that our breed is a working breed but that ‘working’ carries many definitions. Even Max outlined numerous venues.  Schutzhund is but one of them. Embracing this fact will broaden our opportunities to promote our breed and encourage more participation.  We should be promoting participation in all the sporting activities of the AKC, SV, and GSDCA-WDA.  There are so many opportunities for our breed that we are not taking advantage. 

Allow the longcoat classes, per the SV standard, at all GSDCA-WDA events (club, regional and national). 

Increase awareness of the breed standard.  GSD should not be bred without a breed survey.  Encourage and reward those who adhere to the standard.

Support the smaller breeders in the US. Drop the number of GSD for the Kennel Group to three at NASS.  Create a point system to recognize those breeders who title their own GSD (from their own breeding).

Control entry fees.  We must develop a support network to allow everyone to succeed at our events. We are pricing ourselves out of the reach of those who wish to participate. We must have venues for the common man not kings.

We must make our events fun. They cannot be about politics and trophies. Every GSD entered should have a fair and level playing field. 

Recognize all WUSV recognized registration documents. In particular the Canadian and Mexican Clubs.

Continue to recognize the efforts of other organizations even if they do not recognize the GSDCA-WDA. It cannot be about politics. The GSDCA-WDA is not in the business of competing against any organization. We exist to provide a venue for our membership and to protect the greatest breed of dog on this great planet.

I have many more thoughts about our future and will continue to expand on them.

First and foremost in today’s diatribe – Tish Walker, VP of the GSDCA has signed the agreement between the GSDCA and GSDCA-WDA, Inc.  Tish has had a great deal on her, as the GSDCA is suffering through a leadership crisis. Tish- thank you from all of us in the GSDCA-WDA.

Let me say that I understand and greatly appreciate the frustration that many members are feeling. This dark period we find ourselves has presented a great deal of issues.  Issues the organization and the organization’s leadership were ill equipped to address.   

 Over the last few weeks questions have arisen regarding the rule adopted by the board (above). We must put the timing of the rule in perspective. The rule was adopted at the July 2009 Board Meeting, It is the policy of the organization that rules are published thirty days prior to being effective.  Also this rule was adopted after disciplinary actions had begun but prior to the hearing. All this is being said to state the rule was not in place for the hearing nor covered the actions in the complaint as they were already bound by the disciplinary policies in the by-laws.  No such rule existed prior to the meeting.  The rule was adopted to address future issues that may arise with a member who decides to cheat.  To the best of my knowledge only one rule, in the last two years, has been adopted that was retroactive.

 As an organization we have never spent considerable time or effort developing discipline rules. Maybe we should have spent more time but there was never an emphasis on this issue until fall of last year. The organization has adopted changes to the by-laws (one to be voted on this month) that creates a platform for handling issues of cheating.  Future leaders now have the tools necessary to take immediate and forceful actions against any who chose to cheat. Yet, for those of us caught in the present the situation is of considerable emotion and frustration.  Could the board have done more? Quite possibly but we followed our rules. Just because someone else chose to break the rules does not give us the right to break even more rules.  The members of the board must always subscribe to ‘doing the right thing’ even though it feels less than right. 

 This issue is not being put to rest. I expect that the Annual Meeting will bear testament to the significance of this event.  I know that there are groups on both sides who will raise challengs to the actions of the board during the meeting.  On one side the challenge to the ‘legality’ of the proceedings. On the other the demand for expulsion from the organization.    

 The saddest part of this entire matter is that the person who brought it forward is suffering the greatest punishment. His beloved GSD is the only one that clearly had been altered. It was not done at his hands, yet he is paying the ultimate price. This is the great injustice.  I can only hope he can find solace in the fact that his voice has created the platform to rid our organization of those who chose to cheat.

This one was meant to be ready for the anniversary of Man’s arrival to the Moon… But it rested unfinished in a drawer till now.

Prada Transformer official website: http://prada-transformer.com/

Koolhaas on CNN (via AMNP):  http://architecture.myninjaplease.com/?p=4749

El anti-blob de Koolhaas (in Spanish): http://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/2009/03/15/anti-blob-de-koolhaas-the-prada-transformer/

Lately the wife and have been seriously considering getting a young German Shepherd Dog to add to our “pack.” We’ll probably rescue one, so it’s doubtful that we’ll be lucky enough to find one with the attributes that make a good SchH candidate, but I still love watching these dogs in action.

Tragedy has the presence to remind us of what is really important. On Friday a sweet and loving mother, wife and friend passed away. Dianne Harris was one of those special people that cross our path. They make such an impression that we never forget them. Dianne’s baby, Jansen Bryce Harris,  was killed by a drunk driver several years ago during the Christmas Season.  The drunk driver who hit their vehicle was a family member.  A life was lost and a family shattered. Dianne became a voice against drunk drivers, a loving, caring voice that carried a sorrowful message.  And for those of us whose lives were touched by this angel we will never forget.  Dianne leaves her husband Lucky and son Traven to continue life’s journey. She was only 37.  I am certain Dianne has wrapped her arms around Bryce as they are once again together.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have known Dianne, more importantly I am grateful for the mark she made on my life.  There will be no political strife today. Today I remember an old friend, hug the necks of my children, tell my wife how much she means to me and let my friends now just how special you are.  Today, I get back to what is really important.  There will be time for stife tomorrow.

It’s all been a bit quiet on the blog front. Oops.

We have a new addition to the family, a puppy! Her name is Boudica and she is a German Shepherd. Jason, our other GSD is having great fun playing with his new baby sister. So, as you can probably imagine, its been very hectic around here lately and the blog has been a bit neglected, the vegetable garden however has had some major changes, but more about this in a future post.

It certainly has been a lively week in the world of German Shepherd Politics.No doubt next week will bring new highlights in the ongoing battle of factions.

 Friends continue to support, my penchant for not backing up from a fight.

Originally, I ran for  President of the GSDCA-WDA with the intent of returning the GSDCA-WDA to the membership. This process was started by Ken Downing.  The political battles that ensued were totally unimagined.  When Dr. Carmen Battaglia stated, during my first Board meeting, that “When WDS is approved there is no need for the WDA any longer,” I was floored.  During the same meeting Dr. David Landau made a motion to have the President of the GSDCA-WDA notify the President of the GSDCA that the GSDCA-WDA supports the WDS program. My heart sank as I realized the political lines had been drawn less than one hour into the new administration.

Each morning greets a new fight. We face continued pressures on our breed and our sport from outside sources. Animal rights have a place in our society, but there must be a line drawn on extremism. Laws must govern our society, but they cannot be founded on baseless information and reactionary tactics. Who, among us, could imagine the day when dogs would be attacked by elected officials? Yet, today throughout our great nation it is occurring.. As citizens of this great nation the freedom to own and breed our dogs are under attack by local and state governing bodies.

 Yet, those global battles are not the ones that demand our time. The internal battles facing the WDA have far larger and more immediate consequences. Most of the home-field battles are not necessary.  They are almost always driven by ego and self centered goals.  Most of those who start the fight do not own a GSD any longer and do not participate in any venue  Their favorite word  is ‘I’.

As my first term as WDA President draws to a close, I am truly thankful.  The experience has been a fight, but one definitely worth fighting. My resolve to ensure the GSDCA-WDA runs for its membership is stronger than ever. The GSDCA-WDA belongs to the membership and their voice must be heard.

 Have a great weekend. I will be back on Monday with the latest on the political strife of the GSD in America.

My goodness the GSD world is abuzz with far too many rumors and now comes the Conspiracy Theory. It must be election time in the GSDCA and GSDCA-WDA. I can only imagine that the telecommunication companies will report record September and October revenues.  

 Last evening I received four phone calls from different parts of the country regarding the following conspiracy theories. I have no idea if they are factual but it apparently is worthy of being repeated in the backrooms of the rumormongers so I decided to see how if looks in the light of day. I will also say that the following theories are possible under the GSDCA-WDA by-laws.  Yet, I have no factual knowledge if things are afoot. Although someone has put a great deal of thought and research into this matter. Add to the fact that it is being discussed in various parts of the country and it just makes you wonder. None the less let us see how it looks in the brightness of day.

 In the following scenario I will refer to ‘you’ as the group of individuals who are seeking to regain power in the GSDCA-WDA.

 First, you must find someone to run for Vice President of the GSDCA-WDA that you can trust to make the appointments you chose.   Then you must have someone in the GSDCA who you can trust to nominate four general directors of your choosing. Obviously, they would share common supporters.

 Scenario number 1.

If the person of choice wins the Vice President seat in the GSDCA-WDA and the person of choice wins the President seat in the GSDCA the plan can come together. Immediately after the election results are announced at the GSDCA-WDA Annual Meeting charges are filed against the President-elect. It is not necessary that they be factual just enough to get the President-elects membership suspended pending the hearing. The by-laws of the GSDCA-WDA are clear:

The Vice President would become the acting President

The acting President will make the eight (8) appointments at the January Board meeting.

Under the laws of the State of Colorado only the person who appointed the 8 may remove them. Thus when the President is restored to the position after the hearing the 8 would remain. There is no way to get them out of office.  

Scenario number 2.

The above situation unravels but you still have the VP of the GSDCA-WDA and the key choice in the GSDCA. The key choice in the GSDCA nominates four directors that the President of the GSDCA-WDA simply cannot allow on the board. Charges are brought in the GSDCA against the President for failing to confirm those nominated. If the President of the GSDCA-WDA loses their membership in the GSDCA they will be removed from office and the Vice President will assume the office of President. The Vice President will appoint 4 members vs the 8 but the group of ‘you’ secures a 50% victory.  

 I will leave up to you to decide if the stars are aligning to make the theories become reality. If nothing else they make for some intrigue.

Don’t forget that everything in the store is on sale 40% off until Oct. 18!

Just added two new freebie cutting files to the main website CUT pages.  One is a 5×5 scallop gatefold and the other is a 3×3 reverse scallop gatefold.  (The reverse one can be sized larger if your machine will cut it larger.)  I have freebie 3×3 envelopes on the website that will fit it.  It makes a good gift enclosure card.  I like to tie ribbon around these to keep them closed but I didn’t show it in the pictures.  You don’t have to add the extra pieces that have the holes but they are included if you need them.

Last evening I received a phone call from an old friend. He had read my post from yesterday and as one of the key drivers of getting the WUSV 2013 brought to this country he wanted to share his insight. I found great hope in his words.  Our conversation drifted across the entire landscape of the GSD governing bodies and as our conversation drew to a close we discussed the members of the board. Not as individual but as a whole and their duties. (It reminded me of a number of conversations that were held in mid 2007 as the GSDCA-WDA was embroiled in political intrigue.)

 Board members have three basic responsibilities:

 The Duty of Care – this requires you to be reasonably informed about the organization’s activities, participate in the decisions, and do so in good faith and with the care of ordinarily prudent person in similar circumstances. This is fulfilled by attending the meeting, preparing yourself for the meeting, obtaining information before you vote, use of independent judgment and review of the organizations finances and financial policies.

 The Duty of Loyalty – this requires you to exercise your power in the interest of the organization and not your own interest or the interest of another entity. This is fulfilled by disclosing any conflicts of interest, adhering to the conflicts of interest policy, avoid using the organization for any personal gain and not disclosing confidential information about the organization.

 The Duty of Obedience – this requires you to comply with applicable federal, State, and local laws, adhere to the organization’s by-laws and remain guardians of the mission.  This is fulfilled by making decisions that fall within the organizations mission and governing documents.

 I will raise a question regarding the Duty of Loyalty. How can board members serve two masters? More amply put. How can board members effectively serve on the board of directors different organizations? Even if the organizations have a commonality of purpose.  I find it impossible for a board member to serve jointly on the GSDCA, GSDCA-WDA and/or the AKC Board of Directors. The organizations all share a commonality but at various times the organizations are on opposite ends of an issue.

 Is one an effective Board member by abstaining from a vote in one organization, then casting a vote in another?  Can a board member vote against an issue in one organization and then rally for the issue in another? Of course they can, they have and are! We need relationships between the organizations, nothing is more vital. Yet, we cannot allow the continued presence of members on more than one board. I have never seen a board member fulfill their duties when serving on more than one board.   There is no logic to having  commom board members. No one has been elected to more than one board. In every instance they are elected to one, appointed to another. Who should they serve?  This is a practice that we must stop.  I never met a GSD that serves two masters and they are far more intelligent that most of us who volunteer to serve.

I get asked by people all of the time where I got my German Shepherd. She does have the loveliest markings and an impressive pedigree and conformation.

Most impressive of all, I think, is her laid-back personality. She still exhibits the strong, protective, powerhouse qualities of all GSDs, but she is also very patient and easy-going inside the home, and with family and friends. She is a smart, wonderful dog, and has spoiled me for those that will follow.

Tempe (aka Radisson’s Savannah) came to us through Hinesonhaus Kennels (you can read a bit about her on their “Our Dogs” page, down near the bottom) and now her daughter, Hinesonhaus’ Dreamy Indigo, will be bred for the very first time, making Tempe a grandmother again. No wonder she has some gray creeping into her muzzle.

For anyone interested in adding a GSD to their family, I highly recommend Hinesonhaus Quality GSDs. Debbie and Chris live and breathe their dogs, and that’s what you want from a breeder.