Author: Carl Setzer

Process and Efficiency

Carl Setzer
Bart process is not a dirty word

“Process”, generally construed as a negative, synonymous with bureaucratic, cumbersome and unwieldy, gets an undeserved bad rap. There’s  power in process. When the steps bring in various minds and encourage collaboration. Then its the key element of creating a truly synergistic environment. In an environment based on fear, process’ function is minimizing risk (versus managing risk). When process is about fear and power, it becomes the soul-sucking beast of its reputation.

Process isn’t a dirty word. The surrounding motivations and culture create the challenge. So, manage fear, and keep it from controlling your life.

Who the heck is this Ebey guy?

Carl Setzer

When my son was little, we started going to The Farm At Swan’s Trail every October for pumpkins. That’s the first time I noticed the name Ebey, namely Ebey Island. Then on Whidbey Island earlier this summer, I noticed Ebey Landing and Fort Ebey parks.  Ok, now I’m intrigued. Who or what was all this named after? Well, folks, the chap is an early western settler by the name of Isaac Ebey.

Clearly a luminary as he has his own Wikipedia page. Plenty of detail there, so I won’t recount too much, but here are the basics. He’s one of the early settlers of Whidbey Island, and managed to get himself well connected enough to have some solid influence on the early history of Washington State.  He was also related (by marriage) to Phoebe Judson, who founded Lynden and WWU, amongst other things. The other major event of his life for this post: being executed by a raiding/vengeance party of aboriginals.

Our region has many interesting characters and a rich history that’s a delight to explore. Check out HistoryLink.org for all kinds of great research resources. It’s my first stop for all these sorts of things.

Ah, Moleskines!

Carl Setzer

I adore these notebooks and find this film delightful. Their YouTube channel is laden with creative delights. I highly recommend subscribing.

Seafair weekend

Carl Setzer

Ah, the big weekend! Seafair! This is a pretty big deal in the Seattle region, for the unfamiliar. Brings back loads of memories for me. Cutting out hydro shaped boats to be towed behind bicycles. Many musical memories of marching in Seafair parades. The Seattle Center vibrant and alive, more so than the average summer’s day. And the roar of hydros, both from Lake Washington and from the tv. With the Blue Angels flying overhead.  Oh, and the beloved antics of the Seafair Pirates!

66 years of this stuff. What great fun the organizers bring to the region. I’m thankful both for the memories, both serious and silly, and for the building of community. The parade in particular brings together and showcases the region’s rich diversity. Performers of all stripes come forth. It’s amazing, really, to sit still and have our multicultural vibrancy brought to you. Paraeded before you, so to speak.

So this morning I offer up my morning tea to the ever diligent and hard-working organizers of Seattle’s Seafair. Thanks for this perfect celebration of who we are as a region.

Positive dreams

Carl Setzer

I seek a voice of positivity. With that, I want those around me to feel confidence. Not a mindless confidence that misses real limits and sets up for failure. Nor the sociopathic version, which doesn’t care about the impacts on the world or communities which surround us. Rather, a feeling of ability; knowing, deeply, we can make a positive impact. This mindset builds upon love.

This voice presents challenges, especially in today’s culture. The world highly focuses on our divisions, ignoring our commonalities. Speaking with a positive voice, elaborating upon our potentials as a diverse people generates derision. That saddens me. We value love, and denigrate it. This disconnect causes us much pain. And me a great deal of frustration.

Fret not, though, if you share this vision: I shall continue. Continuing with a vision of different people, with different backgrounds working together. Elements of Doctor King’s Dream. For I have the same dream. And the more I learn and grow, the deeper it becomes. Built upon this vision of love, my central feeling: hope. Hope for a positive future; people working together. And I delight in this.

FYI, I’m on Twitter! Come follow me!

Carl Setzer

So, I’m all for a little shameless promotion from time-to-time.

Come check out my Twitter feed! I’d love to connect with you there.

A great part of #Seattle: starting my mornings with @KEXP and @LoserBoy

Carl Setzer

 

 

 

 

I’ve been starting my mornings with KEXP‘s John Richards for years. His blend of music challenges me and connects to my musical tastes deeply. I love exploring the new, but not ignoring the past. There are days that his playlists connect with the music I first fell in love with as a teen. And then he’ll connect with a series of great new artists. Oh, and they do a marvelous job keeping connected with Seattle’s vibrant music scene, bringing great local arts key exposure (ever heard of some guy named Macklemore?).

I can’t imagine not having these folks part of my life. I’m richer.