Friday Donuts

Dear Members and Constituents, “Why am I here?”, “How did it all begin?”, “What’s the best donut?” These are the big questions. If the answers were obvious and incontrovertible, the list would be comprised of other questions. Given the complexity, lack of hard evidence and subjectivity involved, it’s no surprise we don’t all agree on an answer (often, we don’t even have one). Over-simplification and false trade-offs only make matters worse. Case-in-point: the debate over science vs. religion. C’mon, really? Can’t they both be right? Science deals in the natural; religion in the super-natural. Two complementary –not contradictory—realms. With so many moving parts, it’s tempting to make a false assumption, cling to easy answers and avoid the topic. Once you’ve discarded the truth as a likely possibility, all you’re left with is a thick broth of wrong answers to stew in. It’s no wonder these questions have been around so long (some longer than others, after all, donuts were only invented...

Dear Members and Constituents, I've said it before and I'll probably say it again: what a difference a day makes. Wednesday -Springtime . Driving with the ragtop down, enjoying the fresh and delicious air coming into my lounges. I close my eyes, the fresh breeze acts as a time machine taking me back to my childhood for a fraction of a second. Long enough to be perceived yet short enough to be just out of reach. Thursday -Scotland . The unusual onset of a ghastly blanket of fog creates a surreal rendition of the Highlands in Broomfield. What mysteries lie beyond the white shroud, just out of sight? The chill that hits the bones sets in by late afternoon. Friday -Siberia . Snow and sleet up to three feet with hints of the Goulash and thoughts exile up and down the street. While the weather may be fickle, our will to provide you with donuts every Friday is strong! Tina Telson debuts as donut girl today with five "dozen" Winchell's donuts. If you were brave enough to ...

Dear members and constituents, Half-way through my drive into work --the point of no return-- I realized my badge was conspicuously absent from my hip. As I pondered doubling my 18 minute commute to 36 (and decided against it), It occurred to me badges are just another mechanism to keep the unwanted out and allow access to the wanted. Keys, SecureID Tokens and passwords also fall into this category, providing mechanical, magnetic, digital or data access filtering. I suppose donuts also fall into this category by allowing happy memories in and keeping unwanted feelings out. Think about it, when is the last time you felt sad while biting into one of these delicious circular keys to a good Friday. And thanks to Monisha, one of our newest members you don't have to wait until 8:00 to enjoy this feeling I was pleasantly surprised to see three boxes of Winchell's donuts waiting for me in my office this morning. So open up wide and access your inner child with one of these sweet treats...

Dear members and constituents, Friday has once again sneaked-up on us and I am delighted it is here on so many levels. Temperatures are cooling down and expectations of donut consumption should be heating up. As I was playing miniature golf last night with my kids, I could not help but think during the two rounds we played of the 36 perfectly round holes, exactly half the number I of holes I would be seeing in the three dozen donuts at my desk. Mark Hermann has delivered on this expectation, so the table is set with delicious sweetness. Come and get it!