For now, here is a repost of the video I posted earlier this week.

I’m also going to minimize the links to other posts this week and just do a MAJOR plug for my good friend and mentor, Neil Giuliano. Neil just finished his book, The Campaign Within. I’d encourage all of you to get a copy. I’ve always admired Neil’s leadership style and his personal journey is truly incredible.

Posts by Patrick
When Things Go Badly…
Suicide Resources (a brief response to the Junior Seau tragedy)

Posts by Others
The Frontloading Crisis by Scott Ginsberg
Reconsidering decisions by Seth Godin
The Master Carpenter and His Crumbling Integrity by Michael Josephson

Junior Seau’s suicide has brought incredible national attention to him and to the area. He is a big figure here in San Diego and did so much for the community. I drove by his restaurant this afternoon, and there were tons of people gathered outside to pay their respects, laying down flowers and notes of remembrance. Seau will be remembered as one of the NFL greats and a leader in his community.

Last night, I watched a video that USC created to remember the football star. Seau sings and appears quite happy in the video. The video was recorded April 14th–less than three weeks before his suicide.

The local news is dominated by coverage from his close family and friends, all surprised by his death.

Research will likely be done on his brain, and maybe that might provide a clue into why such a beloved figure would do such a permanent act.

For now, let’s take a moment though.

If you’re in pain, there are resources available to you. If you have a friend in pain, there are resources to help them and people that can help you as you help them. Seek out these resources.

There is no shame in talking about depression. There is no shame in seeking support.

Here are just a few of the many resources available:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK

Hopeline: 1.800.SUICIDE

CrisisChat.org (online chat site available 12 hours a day)

The Trevor Project (For LGBT & LGBT questioning youth): 1.866.488.7386

Youthline (counseling for teens by teens): 1.877.YOUTHLINE

Many communities have additional local resources like San Diego’s Tough Times SD (a service just saw today advertised at a bus stop).

Seek out the resources and PLEASE share them.

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I did a fairly standard order for me… Egg Sausage Breakfast Sandwich No Cheese and a Tall Peppermint Mocha.

Nothing too fancy. A minor change here and there, but nothing too crazy.

The baristas were incredibly nice, and I had my drink within moments. After waiting a bit more, I asked about the breakfast sandwich. The other barista realized she had prepared everything, but didn’t hit the start button hard enough. She attempted to press start again, but the sandwich didn’t fair well in that process, so she started everything over again. In the end, the breakfast sandwich took about 7 minutes to make. Yes, it was a minor wait for me, but I wasn’t in a big rush.

Still, the barista apologized profusely and issued a “sorry your visit didn’t go well” coupon entitling me to a free drink on my next visit.

I hadn’t complained and was still satisfied with my visit, but the barista still thought the service could be better. She was proactive in solving a potential customer service problem situation, and I remained a happy customer.

Do you have a special coupon to resolve problem situations? Any procedures to deal “when things go badly”?

Starbucks does and it’s one of the reasons they remain so popular.

Posts by Patrick
Capturing the Moment
May Sweeps

Posts by Others
The Youth Advantage by Scott Ginsberg
How I lost 120 pounds and kept it off for going on 20 years by Cyndi Teague Kramer
What if Your Life Could be More Engaging Than Television? by Donald Miller

So apparently tonight is the official start of May Sweeps.

You know what that means… some tv show you’re watching is about to have a wedding, a pregnancy, a death, and/or some other cliffhanger that is designed to keep up guessing until next fall, all with the hopes of increasing ratings and ad revenues for the following year.

I’ve enjoyed some of the stunts in the past, and wished others would have done a different plot line (I’m looking at you Grey’s Anatomy), but I must admit that I do fall for the structure and watch my shows, often live, for that final episode before summer.

But something interesting is now happening.

The standard tv season is being rocked by cable tv. Broadcast numbers are down as people watch a bigger variety of shows at different times of year. The cable shows attract a smaller number of viewers, but a more loyal following. A May sweeps doesn’t resonate quite as much.

Still, there is a better argument:

The DVR allows people to watch TV whenever they want. It’s really affects the Nielson ratings.

So why am I writing all of this?

Well, I am a fan of TV (if you’re a regular reader, you’ve seen this). More importantly though, I think the results for TV say something about how we promote our own events and activities.

Are we just saving up for a May Sweeps finale with that one crazy project or event, or are we making sure that each project is worthy of our audience?

Do we only promote on our schedule, or do we find ways to connect with people on their own time like a DVR?

Are we doing a one size fits all (network) style of programming or do we do things for smaller, more specialized audiences (cable)?

Just some food for thought as we continue to serve those around us : )

It’s interesting looking at the portfolios. In addition to many websites with bad music players and flash animation, I’m blown away by the number of photographers who only display posed images.

Don’t get me wrong, we’ll definitely do some posed photos during the big day, but it’s not what I really look for in a photographer.

I’m looking for the photographer who simply captures the moments. I want the photographer who captures my real smile, and not the posed one I’ve seen a million times. I want the photographer who captures my bride and me, in that loving glance–but not because we were told to look that way.

In other words, I want the real moments of my wedding, not the manufactured ones.

After I sent off my rankings of photographers (for this round) to my bride, I reflected on my own life (as I often do before I post one of these blogs). It got me thinking.

With my speaking and with these blogs, am I putting up the posed smiles or the authentic captured moments?

In all honesty, it’s probably been a mix of both.

I’ve been following the blog shifts in my friend and fellow speaker/writer, Scott Ginsberg. I’m loving his shift towards more honest and authentic posts.

I’ll work to do the same.

Still motivational (hopefully), but capturing the authentic moments : )

As you get ready to celebrate this weekend, take a few moments and read some awesome blogs & one cool video (an ad my cousin Karl worked on).

Posts by Patrick
Do You Want Your Store to Close?
Bully::The Movie
Pigeon or Squab

Posts by Others
The Wow Gap by Scott Ginsberg
Bandits and Philanthropists by Seth Godin
Change Your Point of View by Thom Singer

Awesome Short Video (an ad my cousin Karl has worked on for P&G for the upcoming Olympic games)

One of the contestants made squab.

That’s right, cooked pigeon.

To wow the judges, he cooked pigeon.

Many–especially those in big cities–describe pigeons as the rats of the sky. They eat leftover food, pillage through garbage cans, and huddle in huge masses.

And yet that was his dish. A cooked pigeon.

This doesn’t mean he found a pigeon from the street and cooked that. No, most squab is from domesticated pigeons, and is considered a delicacy or a celebratory dish in many countries.

A pigeon used for celebration.

The rat of the sky, or a dish to highlight special occasions in life.

It all comes down to perspective, preparation, and presentation.

And doesn’t it always come down to that…

What do we value?

How much effort do we put in to its creation?

How do we share it with others?

So do you want your life and your passions to be pigeons or squab? It’s up to you.

Here is the trailer:

I’m still trying to process all of the major themes and ideas from the film. For now the major quote that stood out to me:

…and if they would just get to know him, he’d probably be the most devoted friend they ever had.

I know I don’t bully. I know I’m not actively mean to others.

But I also know that I’m not always actively seeking out the isolated individuals.

After watching some of the adults in the film, I wonder if I’m contributing to the problem by not being more proactive in stopping it.

I want to discuss this film with others. We can obviously do that on fb and twitter. I’m open to chatting with some over Skype about this. If you’re interested in setting up a Skype conversation, please send me an email (pm@pmaurer.com).

Again, go see Bully.