Voodoo and Superstition

Friends,
It’s tempting to believe the human race has evolved beyond the age of superstition and irrational belief. Yet, on closer inspection, I think we’re not that far from the middle ages. Case-in-point, on my Monday flight-out to Little Rock, I couldn't help but notice the de-icing fluid was Windstream green. Coincidence? Perhaps. It’s probably a case of the frequency illusion, where your recent experiences, bias and predispose what you see. I may well be noticing this color more often because I’m new to the company. Yet, that de-icing truck bleeding Windstream green preceded a very positive and productive trip at HQ. Coincidence? Most assuredly, still, part of me is tempted to see it as a good omen.

1. Windstream Green wing.

Or, take groundhog day. It’s irrational to believe winter may be prolonged or made more brief due to some creature’s optic nerve relaying a certain image to its brain. Yet, for the record, on my way back to Denver this groundhog day, I did see my shadow from the plane. I guess that means there are 42 more days of winter.

2. The airplane passenger sees his shadow.

Finally there’s the Denver Broncos who have chosen to wear white on Sunday, despite the fact all their millions of superstitious fans bleed orange. Silly! Of course, the real reason we will succeed on Sunday is the augurious orange sunrise I saw driving into Denver this morning.

3. Orange sunrise over Denver.

In keeping with this theme, Ashley button volunteered to do a donut run to Voodoo Donuts this morning. I’m on my way to Florida, so someone please stick a pretzel into the Cam Newton donut for me. I know that’s just another superstition which will have no impact on the outcome of the game. Still, better safe than sorry!

Happy Friday!

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Donut Doodle Dandy

Dear Members and Constituents, In trying to figure-out Wednesday’s cool-looking Google Doodle ( Jorge Luis Borges’ 112 th birthday ), I stumbled across a list of Google Doodles you’ll never see. This, and a Rockies game later that day, were sufficient inspiration to get my head spinning around what other doodles Google might never noodle? I’m sure you’ll probably have a few ideas of your own, but I was able to come-up with a couple. How about a former Colorado Rockies player whose unfortunate encounter with a moth put him in the news this week? The Matt Holliday doodle might look something like this… Another item which, surprisingly enough, has not been made into a doodle are donuts. Although I was slightly taken aback to find this delicious pastry has not been featured, after the initial disappointment, I decided to take matters into my own hands and take a stab at one (perhaps Google can use it next year for national donut day )… or to celebrate Greek police having “ blown a ho...

Gilding the Donut

Friends, Despite writing about donuts (sort of) for over 20 years, I don’t believe in sugar coating, after all, honesty is the best policy. Gilding, on the other hand I’m good with. Take the church of the Society of Jesus in Quito, (AKA La Compañía). Built in fits and starts between 1597 and 1765, the volcanic rock baroque facade conceals a spectacular interior. I had the chance to go inside this week and although I had heard about the gold leaf work inside, the descriptions had not done it justice. The details from floor to ceiling transport you to another world, perhaps that’s the point. If you’re ever there, be sure to visit. And while you’re there stop by one of the many panaderías … if you’re lucky they might even have a donut. Happy Friday!

The Wrong Word

Friends, Do you ever find yourself starting to say a word, realizing it’s the wrong choice and trying to change it while speaking — making it worse? For me, it’s happened more times than I care to admit. A recurring faux pas for me occurs at the part of the mass where the congregation says “when we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim your death, o Lord, until you come again”. For some reason my brain wants to say “profess” instead of “proclaim” — which would essentially mean the same thing. Unfortunately, in my clumsy attempts to fix my mistake mid-word, what comes out sounds like “profane” — totally the wrong vibe. Good thing the entire congregation is saying the same thing in unison. If someone heard me they might think the priest was consecrating a donut, instead of the host. Happy Friday!

Friday Donuts

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