Isn't All Reality Just One Point Of View ?

Over the course of the day today a recurring theme kept coming up:

perspective.

I had one on one conversations with nearly a dozen different people today, and in literally EVERY single one of them a viewpoint was expressed that clearly was influenced by perspective.  Whether my own or that of my discussion partner, the version of reality that was being expressed was from one point of view.  This was fascinating to me because these individuals were all rational, logical, and arguably of above average intelligence, yet we ALL seemed somewhat oblivious to other possible perspectives.  We each deeply believed in that moment that what we had seen or heard or experienced was the true reality, as if there was only ONE accurate viewpoint.

As I navigated through these chats, both formal and informal, I found myself seeking to be open to seeing any situation from at least two different vantage points.  This was extremely helpful in considering ALL the "facts" before passing judgement on others (either those in the conversation itself or those subjects of the discussion).  It made it very easy to avoid misjudging based on only one thought process.  I think this is an essential characteristic of a great leader, but is beneficial to anyone who feels responsibility for others.

If you find yourself frustrated with someone or some situation, may I humbly suggest that you consider another point of view or two before jumping to judgments you may regret later.  I've certainly eaten some humble pie before and it tastes equally bad from ANY perspective.


Song Of The Day:
I love the video for the song "This Side" by Nickel Creek because it visually displays the analogy of different perspectives.  Sometimes it looks like people are "singing at a wall" but if you view things from a different vantage point, you can see that a full concert is happening.  Isn't life better when we seek to understand and then to be understood?  Many times, if we understand another's perspective first there is no need to ensure they understand you ... because you have already changed your opinion.

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Remember These ?

It's a Throwback Thursday kind of day, so here's a few pictures of some things I came across from back in the day.  Anybody remember any of these?

No the shoes weren't in there BUT ...

All sorts of "back in the day" toy figurines were.
I'll have to post them later after going through it.

 

Song Of The Day:
It's only fitting to feature a Throwback song as well, so here's "Pop Goes The World" by Men Without Hats.  This was one of my absolute favorite songs when I was much younger and I got excited every time it came on the radio!

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Did Anyone Bring A Ball ?

Few things in this life are as frustrating to me personally as what happened just about 30 minutes prior to me writing this post.

There is a process and commitment involved in getting ready to play basketball.  You need the right shoes and attire if you plan to play vigorously, leading to a good sweat.  Then you have to drive to the court with the hope and expectation that others will be there to play.

It is upsetting enough when you don't have even teams, or if no one else shows up to play ... but nothing is more bothersome than this: nobody brought a basketball.

Sigh.

Looks like it's ice cream and some Big Bang Theory on DVD to console myself.


Song Of The Day:
When disappointment happens, it is important to move past it quickly.  Good music, like "No More Running Away" by the a capella group The Pitchforks can help this happen.
My apologies that the audio of this song is so poor in the link above ... search for it on Spotify and you won't be disappointed!


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So You Got The Promotion, Now What ?

It was a Wednesday morning and I'd arrived at work a little early to get a jump start on what looked to be a full day when an IM (instant message) popped up on my screen.  It was from the hiring Manager for a position I had applied for at my current employer.  I had interviewed in person with this woman just the prior Friday afternoon and felt good, but not great, about the meeting.  Now here she was very early in the day asking if she could call me to chat.  A million thoughts ran through my head at once, including my preparation to politely accept her declining me for the role.  As it turned out, I did not need that concession speech.

After swallowing my initial shock, I listened as my eventual new boss praised my interview and the skills she was excited that I would bring to the role.  It's always nice to hear someone sincerely praise you but that doesn't make it any easier to accept or believe their kind words when you've always struggled with self doubt.  While I was thrilled to accept the new role and responsibilities associated with it, I was equally terrified of feeling like I may be in over my head.  So much so, in fact, that I was actually trembling a little through the remainder of the conversation.

Over the next few days, I was privileged to receive praise from numerous peers, especially after my promotion was officially announced to our Colorado site and the other Training leaders across the country.  But every time I heard praise, I found myself filled with an equal amount of personal criticism.  I felt unworthy of the confidence that so many people had in my abilities, including what appears to be each person in the Training department that will soon be reporting to me.

To be clear, this isn't a lack of confidence because I was misleading or false in my interviews for the role.  I was plainly honest, including in several examples that didn't really put me in the best light.  This is a sincere "I hope I don't let any of these great people down" kind of doubt, which will only go away after a few weeks or months in the new position.  There is no logical reason to believe I will be anything less than successful in this role, but I've always been slow to accept any feelings of competence or better until I've really proven myself for a while.

To anyone reading this post who may have been among those who provided me with support or praise before, during, or after the interviewing process, I offer the sincerest of thank you's.  Any success I am able to achieve in this role will surely be a testament to you as much, if not more, than it is to me.  I wouldn't have even tried if it wasn't for your pestering belief in me.  I'll never be able to forget that and will always be grateful to you!


Song Of The Day:
People that only listen to recent popular songs are missing some seriously amazing music.  I know I get caught up in just scrolling through the pre-programmed radio stations, but when I venture to music apps on my phone or iPad, I have found some of my favorite tunes.
One of these is "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" which is a great duet by Dinah Washington and Brook Benton.  I know it's clearly a love song, but the message can be one of personal inspiration when facing a new challenge.  I've been listening to it over the past week as I have prepared to take on this new role at work and it pumps me up a little and reminds me that I do have what it takes to be successful in learning the responsibilities of my new job.

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Are You Ready For This ?

Today marked the last day of school for my kiddos for this school year.  This is an occurrence every year, and usually signals all sorts of upcoming events that I'm very excited about: backyard barbecues, Popsicles on the front lawn, trips to the swimming pool, little mini-vacations, and even working in the yard on family projects together.  Karen even has some great plans for a summer schedule to help keep the kids from either extreme (being sooooo bored or just playing video games and watching movies all day).  All in all, it should be a great summer vacation for everyone in the Case household.

But that's not what has me in a reflective mood.  It is what happens after this summer that has me nearly paralyzed with fears of inadequacy, both my own and that of my children.

Here are the BIG changes coming our way in early August:
- Josh Jr (our oldest) will begin High School.  Not only that, but he will also begin attending early morning seminary which starts before 6:00am.  I am NOT a morning person!  I think he will adjust just fine, but time certainly goes faster once they're labeled by school year names: Freshman.
- Ben (2nd oldest) will be in TWO different advanced classes (8th grade math and Honors English) in only his second year of middle school.  He's plenty smart enough, but I'm running out of things I can help him with when it comes to his homework!
- Brooklyn (our oldest girl) will begin Middle School.  She is ready for this, but I am NOT!  She's still my little girl but 6th grade brings with it the start of becoming a woman and I am NOT ready for her not to be my little girl any more!
- Savannah (our middle child) will now be our oldest, and therefore most relied upon, kid at the elementary school.  She's up to the task but watching out for her and her younger sister(s) (especially that crazy Catalina!) will be a challenging change for her.

Myra, who turns 4 this summer

- Myra (our youngest daughter) will begin attending pre-school.  This would be just exciting except that she is still not 100% potty trained, which always fills parents' heads with trepidation about being judged as horrible parents.

As with anything else, I'll try not to worry too much about the changes until they get here, but the gloomy cloud of possible problems seems just a short ways down the horizon.  Wish us luck!


Song Of The Day:
I heard "The End Of Innocence" by Don Henley on the radio today and it just felt fitting for the post I had in mind.  It's probably more related to my oldest son and oldest daughter switching to completely new schools, but it also seems like the innocence of all my kiddos is disappearing so fast.  I'm really not sure I'm ready for this, but I guess I have to be.

Why Did This Happen To Me ?

Everything happens for a reason.

I truly believe that.  I am not suggesting that our destiny is already decided.  I believe in the power of free agency and that we control our own choices in every situation.  But I do believe the consequences of the choices we make have the capacity to teach us great lessons.  And often, those lessons are the main reason something happened to us.

How many times in your life have you found yourself in a situation where you had some prior experience to refer back to when faced with a difficult moment?
 - Perhaps a friend comes to you feeling sorrow after mistreating another friend, and you remember when you had a similar experience.  In that moment, you are the perfect angel who can help succor your friend.  Through personal experience you can help guide and direct their next actions, so the experience is less stressful than it otherwise might be.


"Those WERE the droids
I was looking for!"

 - You find yourself in a new role at work and feel overwhelmed by all you have to learn to assimilate to the new position.  But then you remember when this has happened before, and seemingly all of a sudden your mind is filled with examples of things you did to make a successful transition in prior situations.  Now you have an action plan to follow and it doesn't have to feel as overwhelming.

The person who benefits most from your prior experience could be anyone you come in contact with in the future, including your own future self.  The trick, and one I'm still trying to learn this myself, is to find a way to be positive about what you are "dealing with" or "learning" during those times when life feels so hard.  Recognize that somewhere down the road, this current experience is going to be a strength for you, or someone else, in ways you will be so grateful for at that time.


Song Of The Day:
Today's song is "The Reason" performed by Hoobastank.  The title, and lyrics if you're feeling creative, fits perfectly with today's post.  Perhaps we can all help one another to be better at contemplating how our future selves (or future friends) will benefit from things we are learning right now.  If I figure it out, I'll be sure to share how to do that ... and then this post will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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The Chosen One ?

It starts on the playground as kids.  Time to pick teams for dodgeball.

It continues during elementary school.  Who's sitting next to you at the lunch table?

Eventually there are dating implications.  Does she like-like you, or just like you?

Then the real world, long-term examples come crashing in like waves on the shore.  Applying for a job, waiting for college acceptance letters, serious dating and then proposing marriage.   In every one of those situations it feels great to be "picked."  On some level, it also feels terrible when you don't get picked or are among the last people selected.

If you have children you may have even experienced this when your child has a choice of who they want to hold them or put them to sleep or any of the tasks parents do for kids.  When the child wants YOU it just makes you feel special and boosts feelings of self esteem ... except for diaper changes!

May I suggest that when you do get picked for something, be a gracious and considerate person about it.  There is a time and place for your own private celebration of those good feelings you are having.  If someone near you was not selected, be empathetic and supportive, or better still (if it is at all possible) ... invite them to join you in whatever you were selected for.  The world will be a much better place for it ... and you'll also get another wave of good feelings for being a caring person.


Song Of The Day:
I recently heard Sara Barielles' new song  "I Choose You" and was excited to have a blog post concept that fits perfectly with the tune ... because I love it!  No, not just getting picked ... I love the song too!  I know it's more about love but I still feel like it applies to anything where you are chosen by someone else for something important.

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Should It Bother Me That Much ?

Like many people, I enjoy reading and the feelings of motivation or inspiration a well-written article, story, or book can provide.  I subscribe to several different email groups and blog writers, reading their updates as often as I am able (usually during lunch breaks or if I'm feeling a lack of motivation).

One of the blogs I get email posts from a few times a week contains great wisdom and summarizes complex concepts in bite-sized chunks, making it very easy to read and apply in my own world.  Sadly, this same author constantly includes misspellings and grammatical errors.  So much so, that only a handful of hundreds of posts I have read were "error-free."

This has bothered me a great deal over the years, and in some cases has even kept me from being able to finish reading an otherwise impressive post.  I just find it too great a challenge to accept such great wisdom in the midst of basic writing mistakes.

At least, I used to.

If you've never heard the phrase "eat some of your own cooking" then allow me to explain the concept.  In business it means be a customer of your own product.  In relationships it means consider how you would feel if your partner did the same to you.  In all cases, it is a call to look at yourself and your actions before getting too judgemental of others' performance.

A few months ago I was feeling particularly irritated at another ruined post from this author, so I went to my blog to write about it.  I happened to click on a prior post of mine, rather than opening a new post to create.  And I noticed a glaring error!  (Wouldn't it have been funny if it had been a post about being a hypocrite?)  It wasn't.  In truth, the subject of the post is irrelevant, but the hypocrisy in my righteous indignation at this other writer was not.  I was immediately humbled and embarrassed.  I dug deeper and within minutes found a post with another error.  Oh the humanity!

After some time spent trying to justify why my insignificant little blog was exempt from judgements on this front, while his followed-by-hundreds-of-thousands-of-readers blog was not, my own cooking began to taste quite foul.  Every excuse I came up with for myself was just as valid, if not more so, for this other author.  And if I have any hope that people would still gain something from reading my posts, with or without any errors, I should certainly extend the same courtesy to this accomplished blogger.


Song Of The Day:
Some music has the ability to just make things chill.  You can listen to the soothing tones and relax.  One of these is "Breeze On By" which is an update by Donny Osmond on a classic George Benson standard.  I also think the name of this song is a reminder of what I should do when reading these blog posts in the future.  When I see the mistakes I'll be better off if I can just breeze on by them, rather than getting caught up in the details.  I hope any readers of my posts will do the same for me.  :)

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When Does Climbing Stop Being Exciting ?

As a child and youth I remember climbing everywhere.  I remember the joyous feeling of being on higher ground, enjoying the views from "up here" ... wherever here was at that time.  I was always the first to volunteer to climb on our roof (or the neighbor's for that matter) to retrieve stray frisbees or lawn darts or whatever we'd been tossing around.  I saw big trees with low enough to reach limbs as an invitation to see how high I could ascend before my mother would call me back down.

Somewhere along the way I have lost those desires and they have been replaced with irrational fears of plummeting to my death (or at least major injury).  This has happened without any reasoning or logic.  I haven't ever fallen from anywhere high (there was one incident with a window well that scraped my legs up quite badly ... but that was only from ground level so it doesn't make sense how that would impact my height paralysis).  I also haven't seen or been close friends with anyone who has suffered severly due to a fall from heights.  To be fair, it's not a fear of heights as much as no desire to climb any longer.  I can be in a tall building looking out a window, or enjoy breathtaking views from the edge of the Grand Canyon.  I just don't like climbing higher any more.

A few weeks ago I was using one of my "tall" ladders to change light bulbs in our elevated kitchen ... and I was dreadfully nervous even though I was three steps from the top of the ladder, with no real likelihood of accidental falling.
I just don't understand why this is so scary to me now.


Song Of The Day:
I recently cleaned up my shelves of CDs, finding several with some great tunes I forgot I had.  Today's song is "When You're Falling" by Afro Celt sound system, featuring Peter Gabriel (of course) on lead vocals.  The video is pretty cool too, although I feel like there is some deeper meaning to it which I can't really understand.

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How Can It NOT Be Included ?

I took the above photo while on a date night with my awesome wife at one of our favorite restaurants which serves delicious Chinese food.

Can you see the seemingly impossible combination here?

Hint:  Check today's blog post title.


Song Of The Day:
I'm one of those people who prefers to solve riddles on my own.  Madonna's song  "Don't Tell Me" isn't about riddles, but it fits here with this post because I'm not telling you what I find wrong with this picture.  But I'm sure you can easily see it anyway.

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When Was Your Last Epiphany ?

Every so often I feel like I've had an epiphany.  They are probably just momentary insights that feel more impressive than they actually are, but for me they can mean a great deal.

I had one today.

While contemplating an upcoming interview for a promotion and job change at work, I found myself filled with terrible fears and feelings of inadequacy.  Historically, my approach in these situations has been to fill my life with stress and anxiety all through the preparation and actual interview process.  I consider the interviewer and try to analyze what they will be looking for.  I consider my own experiences and try to tailor them to the needs I am perceiving this hiring manager wants to hear.  I convince myself which examples I should use and which ones I have to avoid, because they don't fit my preconceived notions of what the interviewer is hoping to hear.

Today I came to the realization that I've been approaching these the wrong way ... for years!

My "epiphany" is this: just be me.

It is not my responsibility to understand or try to conceptualize what this interviewer is looking for.  Sure it is good to have a general idea of what applies and what is irrelevant, but I've been WAY overthinking things.  The interviewer needs to get to know ME in the interview, not some highlighted version of what I have been or could be some of the time.  Sure that might enhance my chances of landing the job, but then I might be the wrong candidate for the role ... and if that happens then we'll all regret it later.

No, I need to just be ME.

I need to convey who I am, what things I am passionate about, what MY vision of the role is, and where I feel I am perfectly suited to help bring about changes in the group.  THEN, if my vision and that of the hiring manager are aligned, I'll be the "perfect choice" and there should be no worry about whether I got the job or not.  How could I not?  BUT if who I am isn't the right fit for that role, they will go a different direction ... and why does that have to be a bad thing?  It isn't.  I'd be miserable in the role if what I envisioned it to be was changed.  And I'd be disappointing to those I am working with and for if I promised to be something that I really am not.

This change in approach has left me feeling VERY peaceful regarding the upcoming interview ... because the only pressure on me is to be ME and make sure the interviewer knows who I am and my skills.  If I get the job, then I was the right fit.  If not, I'm still a great person with great skills, they are just suited for something other than this role at this time.


Song Of The Day:
Although his style has changed over the decades, I've always enjoyed Phil Collins' music.  On his Testify CD, he has a song titled "Thru My Eyes" which I immediately loved.  I picked that song for today's post thinking about the perspective of the interviewer.  If I, as a candidate, during the interview, can truly convey my approach to things, then they will be much better equipped to make the right hiring decision because they will be able to see the role through my eyes.  This will either reinforce that what they were looking for is a shared vision, or it may open up their eyes to different perspectives on how the role could be fulfilled.

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Can You Be TOO Comfortable ?

From our earliest experiences in life, comfort is something we naturally seek after.  Whether cradled in the arms of our mother or father, or feeling like we have just the right fit to our clothes, even as babies we instinctively know when we're comfortable.

"You will never want to leave"

As adults, the efforts we undergo to attain that comfort we seek are sometimes laughable, as are the reactions we have when we are not comfortable (wouldn't it be easier sometimes if we could just cry like a baby or scream like a toddler when we're not comfortable as adults?)
In our relationships, with basic needs (food, clothing, shelter), and even in social constructs including church, parties, or extended family gatherings, we still seek comfort and avoid discomfort.  We also do this at work.  And just like with any of the other comfortable situations, this can actually become too much of a good thing.

There is value in being comfortable at work, but there is danger also.  Becoming too comfortable in what we know or what we are doing can eventually keep us from trying to learn and grow.  It can be a very quick decline from being filled with energy and passion and curiosity to a state of complacency or a why-does-it-even-matter attitude.  This can then begin to have a negative impact on not just the work environment, but even that life/work balance everyone tries to find comfort around as well.  Despite our best efforts, work does come home with us and things in our personal life spill over at work.  So it is important to find a proper balance between comfort and challenging ourselves to doing more.

Consider an introspective series of questions if you feel you might be too comfortable.  Here are just a few examples to get you started:
What have you learned recently?  What questions have you asked?  Where could you be performing better if you only had more [knowledge, skills, experience, coaching, etc.]?  What is going well in the current environment?  What is going poorly?  What do peers complain about?  Could you actually do anything to improve on that?  Are you "phoning it in" or does your day-to-day work actually get the best you have to offer?  If you're not giving it your all, ask why not?  When did it change?  What could YOU do to change it back?  Do you need to seriously consider a role or even career change?

I am grateful to have recently worked with several great people who believe in and support the concept of creating positive discomfort for ourselves and others we work with.  This means we ask those questions above and then work together to push ourselves out of our comfort zones so that growth can happen.  Without that support, I fear I could have easily become lethargic and largely unproductive, not just at work but in all aspects of my life.


Song Of The Day:
Many people embrace their comforts but remain stagnant out of fear.  I believe most people are more afraid of change than they are just plain lazy.  Positive Discomfort is the opposite of easy.  It requires work and effort and most challenging: facing the unknown.  So today I'm bringing back "Freedom 90" by George Michael, because there is real freedom in leaving the comfortable and entering the uncomfortable.  As any good infomercial warns us: results may vary.  But wouldn't you rather try something new and see what happens than just stay in your limiting comfort zone?  Overcome that fear by bringing a friend along with you.  At the very least you'll have a story to tell later.

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Do You Ever Feel Like Your Life Is The Truman Show?

If you need an explanation on that cultural reference, I suggest you educate yourself by reviewing the link here about the movie The Truman Show.

It is obviously not logistically possible, but there continue to be so many times I have felt like my life is really some version of The Truman Show.

A few examples should illustrate the perceived logic behind my clearly illogical paranoia:
- At work, when I'm quietly finding myself feeling very demotivated or bored, things just happen to change dramatically to create more excitement or motivation.
- At home, when I'm feeling stressed about the kids or my relationship with my wife, things just happen to fall into place that strengthen my family connections or simplify challenging times.
- Socially, when I'm lamenting my absence from certain activities and then all of a sudden going to a Nuggets game just happened to come around; or someone invites our family for a visit.

I'm obviously not that important, but doesn't it sometimes feel like you are the center of the world for a moment?  How could this stuff happen if not some sort of intervention, divine or man-made?

Maybe it's just me ... but I doubt it!


Song Of The Day:
It's high time for another OMD song and I have one that fits perfectly with this post.  When I am feeling like the center of the universe in some weird way, I feel like the world is collectively saying to me: "We Love You" ... This tune has a bit of a haunting melody, which captures the weird feeling I have when things just happen to fall into place in my life.  I believe most of what happens is a result of choices, but sometimes, some things are almost unexplainable.

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What's Wrong With Stability ?

Asking her on a date.  Going on that first date.  A first kiss.  Contemplating a more "serious" relationship.  Picking, purchasing, and eventually paying off "the ring."  The proposal.  The wedding.  The honeymoon.  That first night together in your small apartment.  Decorating your first space together.  That first Sunday in your new ward.  That first positive pregnancy test.  That first pregnancy.  The first childbirth.  Holding your first newborn child.  Contemplating purchasing that first home.  Signing ALL those papers when you "buy" that first house.  That first night in your new home.

There are lots of firsts that may also be lasts if you think about it.  In fact, in many ways related to finding "the one" isn't your very hope that this could be the last first whatever-it-is?

When you are as fortunate as I am to have shared so many of life's firsts with your true love, gratitude for that person and all the blessings they have brought you in your amazing life is the only reasonable reaction.

I fear that in the world today, so many people of all ages are seeking for the new and the exciting.  The freshest experiences, the latest fads and trends, the recently created concoctions are all so important and perhaps, finally, happiness and joy will come with whatever it is.  But people ... you are totally missing it!  The real joy, the real peace, happiness, and contentment in this life comes from something so many people seem terrified of finding, even as they desperately seek after it: STABILITY.

Firsts are fun, but firsts are fleeting.  Euphoric energy quickly dissipates to neediness for the next high.  This is true for more than substances or beverages, as it can be applied to anything that anyone desires.  There is untold value and comfort in consistency, familiarity, and stability.  I hope everyone can learn this and find theirs.  I am forever grateful that I did!


Song Of The Day:
Today is the 16th anniversary of my wedding to the best blessing in my life.  I am so grateful that she agreed to be my eternal companion.  She is proof that it's "Not A Bad Thing" to fall in love.  This recent song by Justin Timberlake (presumably about his wife) feels perfect for today's post.  And here's a cover of that same song by the great a Capella artist Mike Tompkins.  The video is worth your 5 minutes of time too!

Karen, I love you so much!  Happy anniversary!  Thanks for everything!

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Why Do YOU Dislike Being Interviewed ?

I recently completed two separate interviews for a different position at work.  I decided to apply partly of my own accord, but it was largely influenced by the support of several peers and my current manager.  But I digress ...

I hate interviewing!

I enjoy conducting interviews (which I did several times this week for another internal position at work), but I loathe being on the other side of the table.  I tend to believe this is an uncomfortable (at best) experience for almost everyone, but the reasons for disliking interviews varies greatly.

One of my peers dislikes the prep work needed before an interview.  Another friend of mine feels like they cannot communicate effectively (they worry about formulating an articulate sentence or repeating words that detract from their message: such as, like, um, and so forth).  Yet another friend shared with me that they feel unable to summarize how great they are in just 1-2 minute examples.  Other people fear that their brain freezes and so they share mediocre examples instead of their "best" examples of when they have been successful.

For me, I believe my greatest downfall is that I overanalyze the interview as I am going through it.  Instead of just hearing the question, thinking about my answer, and delivering that best answer, my mind races to consider all possible implications of every little thing in the interview.  Why did the interviewer pause as they said that?  I don't hear any writing, why not?  Oh no, am I talking too much?  Wait, was that relevant to the question they asked me?  Did I already tell them the results of that example?  Why are they asking me about this?  How does that tie in with the role?  And on and on and on.  And that's all in a matter of moments after every single question, comment, or period of silence greater than about 3 seconds.

Thankfully I love my current role and the work I am doing, so there is little lost if this position goes to someone else.  The worst part is knowing I will eventually have to go through some type of interview process again ... oh I can totally wait for that!  No rush!


Song Of The Day:
I felt much better about the second of the two interviews, so with that in mind here is "Save The Best For Last" by Vanessa Williams ... because I really think I did that.  Not that I know this is "the last" interview for me for this role, but if it is, I feel much better knowing I went out strongly and not in a mediocre dud of a firework.

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